Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z fc

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Nikon Z fc. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Nikon Z fc was released 2021. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Nikon Z fc 2021

Type of camera

Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z fc is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon Z fc has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z fc 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D800 has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z fc has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon Z fc 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon D800 has a 75 % larger resolution than Nikon Z fc. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z fc has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Nikon Z fc has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
Nikon Z fc 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z fc

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z fc can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
Nikon Z fc 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D800 and Nikon Z fc can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 102% heavier than Nikon Z fc and its 445 gr (or 0.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon Z fc 445 gr
0.98 lb

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z fc Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 and Nikon Z fc, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Name Nikon D800 Nikon Z fc
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Release Year 2012 2021
Release Date 2012-02-07 2021-06-29
MSRP 2999 USD 959 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 209
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3,2” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 2360000
Photography features
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Frames per second 6 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Nikon Z fc
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 300 shots
Width 146 mm 135 mm
Height 123 mm 94 mm
Depth 82 mm 44 mm
Weight 900 gram 445 gram