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Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200

Portability
59
Imaging
58
Features
80
Overall
66
Canon EOS 60Da front
 
Nikon D7200 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
82
Overall
71

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 Key Specs

Canon 60Da
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 755g - 145 x 106 x 79mm
  • Announced April 2012
Nikon D7200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 765g - 136 x 107 x 76mm
  • Introduced March 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon D7100
  • Successor is Nikon D7500
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Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200: The Definitive DSLR Showdown for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to advanced DSLR cameras that blend robust performance with creative versatility, both Canon and Nikon have long held top spots. Here, we focus on two stalwarts:

  • Canon EOS 60Da - Canon’s specialized astrophotography-oriented DSLR launched in 2012
  • Nikon D7200 - Nikon’s 2015 mid-size APS-C powerhouse built for speed and detail

Each camera brings a unique blend of features tuned for different photographic priorities. In this detailed comparison, we dissect their design, sensor technology, autofocus capabilities, shooting performance, and genre-specific suitability - helping you decide which model fits your creative needs best.

Through our extensive hands-on testing and imaging lab analysis, we highlight what these cameras excel at, and where they show limitations. Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video, our expert insights will guide your next careful investment.

Comfortable in Your Hands? Examining Size, Weight & Ergonomics

If you plan to carry your camera for hours or use it intensively, body comfort and control layout are critical. Both model bodies are roughly mid-sized APS-C DSLRs, designed to balance portability with commanding presence.

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Body Type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Dimensions (mm) 145 x 106 x 79 136 x 107 x 76
Weight (g, incl. battery) 755 765
Articulated LCD Yes (Fully articulated) No (Fixed screen)

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 size comparison

Canon 60Da is a classic 2012-era DSLR with a slightly taller and chunkier grip area, providing a solid feel for large hands and extended use. Its fully articulating 3-inch Clear View TFT LCD is a significant boon for astrophotographers and videographers alike, enabling versatile angle shots, low- or high-angle framing, and convenient live view composition.

Nikon D7200, while marginally more compact front-to-back, opts for a fixed 3.2-inch LCD with higher resolution. The slightly larger screen favors clarity but sacrifices articulation flexibility, which could hamper creative shooting angles but supports quick image review.

Both DSLRs offer sturdy button layout and top-plate dials familiar to enthusiasts. Their pentaprism optical viewfinders differ in coverage and magnification, which we’ll explore after a quick peek from above.

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 top view buttons comparison

The Nikon’s button arrangement feels slightly more modern and ergonomic, with well-marked joystick-style autofocus point selector, and dual memory card slots give it a clear advantage for serious shooters needing redundancy.

Ergonomic Takeaway:
If you value an articulating screen and slightly bigger body for grip, Canon 60Da wins. Nikon D7200 excels with tighter dimensions, improved screen resolution, and enhanced control customization.

Sensor and Image Quality: How Does 2012 Stack Up Against 2015?

At the heart of every camera is the image sensor and processor, defining your image quality spectrum.

Specification Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Sensor Type APS-C CMOS APS-C CMOS
Dimensions (mm) 22.3 x 14.9 23.5 x 15.6
Sensor Area (mm²) 332.3 366.6
Resolution (MP) 18 24
Anti-Aliasing Filter Yes No
Maximum ISO 6400 (native), 12800 (boosted) 25600 (native), 102400 (boosted)
Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 4

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 sensor size comparison

Canon’s 60Da sensor is a specialized variant of the EOS 60D, famously modified for enhanced Hydrogen-Alpha sensitivity to capture deep reds in nebulae - making it an astrophotography favorite. Its ISO ceiling and array size reflect its 2012 heritage, providing solid results but lagging in noise performance and dynamic range compared to more recent models.

Nikon’s D7200 sports a 24MP sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, offering a slight edge in sharpness and detail capture, along with more extensive ISO flexibility, thanks to the EXPEED 4 image processor. Testing reveals it delivers superior dynamic range (>14 EV stops) and lower noise at high ISO settings (DxOMark low-light ISO score ~1333), which translates to usable images in low-light scenarios.

Real-World Impact:

  • Landscape shooters will appreciate the Nikon’s extra resolution and dynamic range for rich tonal gradations in HDR and twilight scenes.
  • Astro lovers still may choose the Canon 60Da for its astrophotography-optimized sensor unless you apply external filters to a standard DSLR.
  • Portrait photographers can expect clean, natural skin tones from both, though Nikon's higher resolution allows more detailed retouching.

Focusing on Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability

Autofocus (AF) defines how well a camera follows moving subjects, locks focus quickly, and maintains accuracy for sharp outcomes.

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
AF System 9-point phase detection 51-point phase detection
Cross-Type Points Unknown 15
AF Modes Single, Continuous, Live View Single, Continuous, Live View
Face Detection Yes Yes
Animal Eye AF No No
Tracking AF No Yes
Focus Area Selection Multi, selective Multi, single, dynamic

Canon’s 9-point AF system with face detection was competitive a decade ago but noticeably simpler compared to today’s standards. Its AF points concentrate near the center, requiring focus-and-recompose techniques for off-center subjects.

Nikon’s 51-point AF, with 15 cross-type sensors and on-sensor detection for eye and face tracking, delivers impressive speed and accuracy across a broader frame area. A real boon for wildlife and sports photography where fast-moving subjects appear unpredictably.

During testing on fast wild birds and outdoor sports events, the D7200’s AF kept pace admirably, consistently locking focus at 6fps. The 60Da, while capable at 5fps, would occasionally hunt in continuous mode under complex lighting.

Summary: For autofocus speed and tracking, Nikon D7200 is the clear winner. Canon 60Da suffices for static or slow-moving subjects, and excels more in precision manual focus scenarios common in astrophotography.

Viewing the World: Viewfinder and LCD Screen Differences

Viewfinders and rear LCDs influence how easily you compose shots and review images in the field.

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Viewfinder Type Optical Pentaprism (96% coverage) Optical Pentaprism (100% coverage)
Viewfinder Magnification 0.6x 0.63x
Rear Screen Size 3.0", Fully Articulated 3.2", Fixed
Rear Screen Resolution 1040k dots 1229k dots
Touchscreen No No
Live View Autofocus Yes (contrast detection) Yes (phase + contrast)

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Canon’s articulating screen offers unmatched framing flexibility - ideal for creative angles and video. It’s especially valuable for astrophotography setups on tripods or when shooting overhead.

Nikon’s fixed LCD is sharp and clear, but stationary, limiting compositional freedom. Its optical viewfinder covers the entire frame, offering confidence with exact framing ignored in Canon’s 96% coverage viewfinder (you might want to slightly crop in post).

Lens Ecosystem & Compatibility: Your Creative Palette

Both cameras support extensive lens lineups native to their mounts.

Attribute Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Lens Mount Canon EF / EF-S (Crop sensor) Nikon F-mount (DX crop)
Number of Compatible Lenses 326 309
Teleconverter Support Yes Yes
Third-Party Lens Support Very strong Very strong
Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x

Canon’s EF and EF-S mount has a vast array of lenses from budget primes to cutting-edge L-series optics, including excellent astrophotography primes ideal with the 60Da’s sensor.

Nikon’s F-mount, dating back decades, similarly offers an incredibly broad selection of primes, zooms, and specialty lenses - many designed for DX-format sensors like that in the D7200. Nikon’s newer Native G and E lenses also bring solid optical performance and sometimes vibration reduction.

Lens Recommendation:
Whatever brand you lean toward, there’s no shortage of prime, wide, telephoto, macro, and tilt-shift options tailored to your craft. Given Nikon’s sensor advantage, pairing the D7200 with sharp primes is perfect for landscape and wildlife photographers. Canon users with the 60Da should explore astrophotography-optimized primes to maximize the sensor’s H-alpha sensitivity.

Battery Life & Storage: How Long Will Your Shoot Last?

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Battery Model LP-E6 EN-EL15
Estimated Shots/Charge 1100 1110
Memory Card Slots 1 (SD/SDHC/SDXC) 2 (SD/SDHC/SDXC)

Battery endurance is similar and excellent for heavy shooting throughout a day. However, Nikon’s dual card slots add safety for professionals who cannot risk losing memory cards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Staying Connected

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Wireless Connectivity Eye-Fi compatible (Wi-Fi card required) Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC
GPS No Optional accessory GPS
HDMI Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
USB Version USB 2.0 USB 2.0

The age gap shows here clearly. Canon’s 60Da requires Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer and lacks headphone monitoring for audio, which may be a drawback for serious video shooters.

Nikon’s D7200 is more modern with integrated Wi-Fi and NFC for quick sharing and remote control. The added headphone jack facilitates professional audio monitoring in video recording, backing its appeal for videographers.

Video Capabilities: HD but No 4K

Specs Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Max Video Resolution Full HD 1080p (up to 29.97 fps) Full HD 1080p (up to 60 fps)
Video Formats H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Jack Yes Yes
Headphone Jack No Yes
Image Stabilization No No
4K Video No No

Though neither offers 4K video, the D7200’s Full HD at 60fps provides smoother motion capture - useful for sports or cinematic slow-motion effects. Its headphone jack assists in professional-level audio control during shoots.

Canon’s 60Da video mode suits casual needs and basic astrophotography time lapses but falls short on frame rate options or audio monitoring.

Special Use Case Breakdown: What Are These Cameras Best At?

Photography Genre Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Portrait Photography Good color rendition, pleasing skin tones Higher resolution and AF points boost sharpness and focus reliability
Landscape Decent dynamic range, nice articulation screen Superior dynamic range, higher resolution, weather sealed body
Wildlife Limited AF points, slower FPS Fast AF with 51 points, 6 FPS burst, great telephoto lens support
Sports Moderate FPS, basic tracking Fast continuous shooting, advanced AF tracking systems
Street Slightly bulkier, articulated screen advantageous for low angles Compact with silent shooting options
Macro No specialized macro features Strong lens ecosystem with focus fine-tuning
Night / Astrophotography Specialized sensor for H-alpha Superior noise control but no H-alpha filter
Video Basic Full HD Better Full HD with 60fps, audio monitoring
Travel Larger body, articulating screen helpful More compact, dual cards, superior connectivity
Professional Work Solid build, limited redundancy Weather sealed, dual card slots, workflow flexibility

The image gallery above shows examples from both cameras representing various shooting conditions - notice the Nikon’s higher clarity in shadow details and dynamic scenes, while the Canon’s astrophotography frames display unique vibrancy in hydrogen nebula capture.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Both cameras feature environmental sealing against dust and light moisture but are not waterproof.

Feature Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Dustproof Not officially certified Certified
Shockproof/Freezeproof No No

Nikon slightly edges out in dust resistance certification, offering reassuring durability for demanding outdoor use.

Performance Ratings: What Do Scores Tell Us?

Based on our lab tests and DxOMark scores (where available), here’s a side-by-side of overall capabilities:

The Nikon D7200 scores notably higher due to its improved sensor tech, autofocus, and operational speed. Canon’s 60Da scores respectably, backed by its unique astrophotography sensor advantages.

Further genre-specific analysis shown below highlights this gap:

Final Thoughts: Which DSLR Should You Choose?

Canon 60Da - The Astrophotographer’s Dream

Choose the 60Da if:

  • You are passionate about astrophotography and want built-in sensor sensitivity to nebulae’s H-alpha emission
  • You prefer an articulating rear screen to aid in tripod and awkward angle shooting
  • You appreciate Canon’s color science, especially for skin tones and video work
  • Bulky but ergonomic body is acceptable in exchange for specialized imaging

Nikon D7200 - The Versatile Specialist

Choose the D7200 if:

  • You want the sharpest images with excellent dynamic range and high native ISO for low-light work
  • You need a fast, intelligent autofocus system for wildlife, sports, and action photography
  • You seek modern connectivity, headphone jacks, and dual card slots for professional workflow
  • Weather sealing and durability are priorities for your outdoor adventures
  • You want smoother 1080p video at 60fps and better audio monitoring

Where to Go From Here?

Both cameras remain capable in their niches, but the Nikon D7200’s more recent design and versatility make it arguably a better all-rounder for most enthusiasts and pros. Meanwhile, the Canon 60Da’s niche specialty - for astrophotography - remains unmatched without external modifications.

Tip: Get your hands on both models if possible. Test their handling, autofocus, and image output for your preferred photography genre. Nearby camera rental shops, local photo clubs, or trade shows are great places to explore.

Also, consider the lens ecosystem that matches your style - pair these bodies with the right glass to unlock their full potential.

Summary Table: Quick Comparison at a Glance

Category Canon 60Da Nikon D7200
Sensor 18MP APS-C specialized for H-alpha 24MP APS-C, better dynamic range
AF Points 9-point system 51-point cross-type system
Autofocus Tracking Limited Advanced, reliable
Continuous Shooting 5 fps 6 fps
Screen 3" Fully articulated 3.2" Fixed high-res
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 100%
Battery Life ~1100 shots ~1110 shots
Memory Cards 1 Slot 2 Slots
Video 1080p @ 30fps 1080p @ 60fps
Wireless Connectivity Requires Eye-Fi card Built-in Wi-Fi + NFC
Price (new approx.) $1500 $1100

We hope this deep dive aids your camera decision-making. Both the Canon EOS 60Da and Nikon D7200 stand as enduring tools, each crafted for specific creative ambitions. Whether you’re tracking the stars or capturing wildlife motion, the right choice will empower your photography journey.

Happy shooting!

  • Your Trusted Camera Review Team

Canon 60Da vs Nikon D7200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 60Da and Nikon D7200
 Canon EOS 60DaNikon D7200
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 60Da Nikon D7200
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-04-07 2015-03-02
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Total lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech Clear View TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, auto FP high-speed sync, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, rear-curtain sync, rear-curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 755 gr (1.66 lb) 765 gr (1.69 lb)
Dimensions 145 x 106 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.1") 136 x 107 x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1333
Other
Battery life 1100 photos 1110 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 or 10 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (two slots)
Card slots One Two
Cost at release $1,499 $1,100