Canon 50D vs Nikon D810
57 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57


54 Imaging
74 Features
78 Overall
75
Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Revealed June 2014
- Earlier Model is Nikon D800
- Updated by Nikon D850

Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon 50D and Nikon D810, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and D810 (36MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and D810 (Full frame) use totally different sensor size.

The 50D was announced 6 years prior to the D810 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the 50D scores against the D810 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D810. The whole galleries are provided at Canon 50D Gallery and Nikon D810 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Nikon D810
50D | D810 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Canon 50D
D810 | 50D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2014 | ![]() | October 2008 | More recent by 68 months |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+309k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 50D and Nikon D810
50D | D810 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 50D provides outer measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Nikon D810 has sizing of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 50D and Nikon D810 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the 50D versus the D810.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 50D and D810 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and D810.
Clearly, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 50D having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Nikon D810 will provide you with more detail with its extra 21MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older 50D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D810 Specifications
Canon EOS 50D | Nikon D810 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon EOS 50D | Nikon D810 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-10-30 | 2014-06-26 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | EXPEED 4 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 5:4 and 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 7360 x 4912 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 32 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 51 |
Cross focus points | - | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF/EF-S | Nikon F |
Total lenses | 326 | 309 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3.2" |
Display resolution | 920k dots | 1,229k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT-LCD (WRGB) |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.3fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 822g (1.81 lb) | 980g (2.16 lb) |
Dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 63 | 97 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 25.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 14.8 |
DXO Low light score | 696 | 2853 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photographs | 1200 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | EN-EL15 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) |
Card slots | One | Dual |
Retail price | $996 | $1,999 |