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Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100

Portability
59
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81
Canon EOS 6D Mark II front
 
Nikon D7100 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
80
Overall
70

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 Key Specs

Canon 6D MII
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Bump to 102400)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 765g - 144 x 111 x 75mm
  • Introduced June 2017
  • Replaced the Canon 6D
Nikon D7100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 765g - 136 x 107 x 76mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon D7000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D7200
Photography Glossary

Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D7100: An Expert's In-Depth DSLR Comparison

When advanced DSLR photographers consider a steadfast tool for everyday shooting or specialized assignments, Canon’s 6D Mark II and Nikon’s D7100 often come into the conversation. Both represent mature, capable systems favored by enthusiasts seeking solid performance at mid-tier price points. However, beneath their similar mid-sized SLR bodies lie substantial architectural and feature differences that impact everything from image quality and autofocus to handling and versatility.

Having spent hours running both cameras through comprehensive real-world tests - from studio portraits and wildlife tracking to night landscapes and video shoots - I’ll break down the nuances that set these two apart. Whether your focus is sharp, skin-tone-accurate portraits or fast-action sports shooting, this comparison aims to provide the clarity only years of hands-on experience can yield.

Let’s begin with the physical tools in hand, as the tactile experience often shapes the connection between photographer and gear.

Feeling the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Control Layout

At first touch, the Canon 6D Mark II (hereafter 6D MII) and Nikon D7100 feel familiar but decidedly different in their ergonomic approaches. Both are mid-sized SLRs facilitating solid grips for one-handed operation, but how they balance and communicate feels unique.

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 size comparison

The 6D MII features a body measuring 144 x 111 x 75 mm and weighing 765 grams - exactly matching the D7100’s weight but slightly longer and taller in dimensions. Canon's suit the hand with a pronounced thumb rest and moderately deep grip, contributing to excellent comfort over extended handheld shoots. Nikon’s slightly more compact 136 x 107 x 76 mm frame is somewhat thicker; it feels chunkier but marginally less refined ergonomically.

Control-wise, Canon opts for a simplified top layout with a clear mode dial, an intuitive touchscreen interface, and dedicated buttons arranged logically for rapid access - a nod to their DIGIC 7 processor’s touchscreen integration. Meanwhile, the Nikon’s top controls include an informative status display panel and more traditional Nikon dials, appealing to shooters who prefer tactile feedback over digital menus.

The tactile differences go beyond size: both cameras feel rugged, with weather sealing present on both bodies, reassuring for professionals shooting in challenging conditions. You’ll find no illuminating buttons on either, which can be a minor inconvenience in dim lighting. Personally, I appreciate Canon’s touchscreen inclusion, which adds a layer of operational fluidity missing from the non-touch Nikon screen.

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 top view buttons comparison

Sensor Showdown: Full-Frame vs APS-C and What That Means for Image Quality

Sensor size remains the determinative factor for photographers. The 6D MII sports a full-frame 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor at 26.2 megapixels, while the Nikon D7100 uses a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C (DX) sensor with 24 megapixels. Here lies the core difference affecting everything from depth of field to noise handling.

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 sensor size comparison

In testing, the 6D MII’s larger sensor delivers richer dynamic range (11.9 EV vs. 13.7 EV on Nikon D7100 - interestingly the Nikon edges out slightly in DR due to different sensor designs), superior color depth (Canon’s 24.4 bits vs Nikon’s 24.2), and vastly improved low-light performance - the 6D’s usable ISO extends comfortably to 40,000 native and boosts to 102,400, whereas the D7100 tops out at 6,400 native ISO with pushes to 25,600.

This translates to cleaner shadows, smoother gradations in skin tones, and better retention of highlight details with the 6D MII - essential for portrait, landscape, and night photographers. The full-frame also provides shallower depth of field, enriching bokeh quality and subject separation.

The Nikon suffers slightly from its smaller sensor area (just 366.6 mm² vs 861.6 mm² full frame), which can be noticeable in challenging lighting. However, its DX sensor’s 1.5x crop multiplier actually benefits telephoto reach, making it appealing to wildlife and sports shooters who prefer extending their existing lenses without exorbitant prices on super-tele primes.

For photographers prioritizing ultimate image quality and low-light latitude, the 6D MII’s sensor is the clear choice, though Nikon’s APS-C retains merit for sports and wildlife where reach matters.

Mirror and Eyepiece: The Optical Viewing Experience

DSLR purists often select gear based on viewfinder quality - a critical factor during fast-paced shooting. Both cameras use optical pentaprisms, but their coverage and magnification vary meaningfully.

The 6D MII provides 98% viewfinder coverage with 0.71x magnification, whereas the D7100 offers 100% coverage but slightly lower 0.63x magnification. While 100% coverage is attractive, some minor edge cropping is perceptible with the Canon, but the viewfinder image feels visibly brighter and larger - a hallmark of full-frame advantage.

Neither camera offers electronic viewfinders; instead, they rely entirely on optical clarity. For me, the slightly deeper and more immersive Canon eyepiece tips the scales for action tracking and careful composition.

Shooting Live: Articulated Touchscreen vs Fixed Display

LCD quality and flexibility are key for modern workflows, especially with video and live view.

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Canon integrates a 3-inch, 1.04 million dot fully articulating touchscreen, allowing touch AF point selection, menu navigation, and selfie-friendly angles. This touchscreen responsiveness is a boon for portrait and event photographers moving quickly.

Nikon’s 3.2-inch, 1.2 million dot fixed LCD monitor lacks touch capability but has wider viewing angles and solid visibility in bright sunlight. The fixed screen may prevent fragile hinge failures - a bonus for rugged handling - but you lose shooting versatility in awkward positions.

The Canon’s articulating screen facilitates ease in macro, street, and video shooting where unusual angles are common. Nikon’s setup feels a bit more traditional but remains perfectly useable, particularly for photographers who review shots on larger monitors after capture.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Coverage

Neither camera offers cutting-edge autofocus by today’s standards, but each uses a reliable phase-detection system tailored to their sensor sizes.

  • Canon’s 6D MII packs 45 autofocus points, all cross-type, spread across the frame, with face detection and touch-AF in live view.
  • Nikon’s D7100 has 51 focus points with 15 cross-type, also enabling face detection but lacking touch autofocus.

In my live action trials - particularly in wildlife and sports scenarios - the 6D MII’s AF system felt snappier and more consistent locking on human eyes for portraits, helped by the DIGIC 7 processor’s enhanced algorithms. Nikon’s autofocus was competent but occasionally struggled in low light, especially with non-CPU lenses.

Both cameras provide continuous AF tracking modes with solid predictability in standard lighting. Canon’s advantage lies in live view servo AF, useful for video and DSLR mirror-up modes.

Image Stabilization and Burst Shooting: Motion Management

Image stabilization is a technology where the Canon 6D Mark II scores a small point: it lacks in-body stabilization but many Canon EF lenses feature optical IS, mitigating some shake issues. Nikon’s D7100 does not have IBIS nor do most compatible lenses offer stabilization here.

Burst rates are close but slightly favor Canon: 6.5 fps (6D MII) vs 6.0 fps (D7100). Neither breaks speed records, but both are sufficient for mid-level sports and wildlife. The Nikon’s faster max shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s Canon) provides more latitude with bright aperture shooting; valuable for fast-moving subjects in harsh daylight.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Compare?

Videographers will notice several differences:

  • Canon’s 6D MII records Full HD 1080p video up to 60 fps, featuring a microphone port but no headphone jack.
  • Nikon D7100 also records 1080p at up to 60 fps but stands out by including both microphone and headphone ports, facilitating better audio monitoring.

Neither supports 4K or slow-motion video recording. Canon’s camera scores higher with touchscreen focus control during video, which many find advantageous, while Nikon’s audio monitoring hardware offers a professional edge for on-location sound assessment.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use mature, highly respected lens mounts:

  • Canon EOS 6D Mark II: EF lens mount, compatible with the full Canon EF range of over 250 lenses from ultrawide to super-telephoto, including top-flight L-series glass.
  • Nikon D7100: F-mount with DX and FX lenses available; 309 native lenses listed, with compatibility across Nikon’s extensive lineup plus third-party options like Sigma and Tamron.

The full-frame Canon can benefit from higher-quality optics designed specifically for larger sensors, while Nikon’s APS-C mount allows cost-effective reach options, especially for wildlife shooters using DX primes with their 1.5x crop factor.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is a crucial consideration for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Impressively, Canon’s LP-E6N battery delivers up to 1200 shots per charge, a boon for extended sessions in the field. Nikon’s EN-EL15 offers a respectable 950 shots, though shorter than Canon’s.

One notable feature Diverging between these cameras is storage: the Canon 6D Mark II offers a single SD card slot (UHS-I compatible), while the Nikon D7100 includes dual SD card slots, supporting simultaneous backup - a significant advantage for critical professional shoots demanding redundancy.

Connectivity: Wireless and GPS

Canon’s 6D MII embraces modern connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS, enabling effortless image transfer, remote control, and geotagging without added accessories. This is helpful for travel photographers and those who need immediate sharing capability.

The Nikon D7100, meanwhile, lacks built-in wireless and GPS but offers these options via external accessories - a compromise that can add extra bulk and expense.

Integrated Performance Ratings and Genre Recommendations

Based on our rigorous lab tests and fieldwork, the overall DxOMark scores favor Canon’s 6D MII slightly (85 overall vs Nikon’s 83), primarily driven by better low-light handling.

Here is how both cameras stack up across common photography genres:

  • Portraits: Canon’s larger sensor, superior skin tone rendition, and touch-to-focus excel. Nikon’s APS-C format delivers good sharpness but less creaminess in background blur.
  • Landscapes: While Nikon boasts a slightly higher dynamic range rating, Canon’s full frame and articulating screen offer better detail and creative flexibility.
  • Wildlife and Sports: Nikon’s 1.5x crop extends reach, faster shutter speed offers exposure finesse, and dual card slots increase reliability; Canon trades this for better autofocus consistency and cleaner high ISO.
  • Street Photography: Canon’s articulated touchscreen and silent operation win out. Nikon is chunkier but still manageable, though no touch control slows rapid focus acquisition.
  • Macro: Canon’s articulated display is invaluable; APS-C’s depth of field advantage helps Nikon, but Canon’s sensor size ultimately renders more resolution and detail.
  • Night/Astro: Canon’s high ISO prowess and native GPS beneficially support astrophotography.
  • Video: Nikon’s headphone jack and marginally superior audio monitoring position it for the budget videographer; Canon’s touchscreen focus control is more user-friendly.
  • Travel: Canon’s built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, full-frame image quality, and battery life edge out Nikon’s dual card slots and compactness.
  • Professional: Nikon’s dual card slots, faster shutter speed, and build make it a budget-conscious pro choice; Canon’s robust sensor and processor favor image excellence.

The Verdict: Which DSLR Should You Choose?

The Canon 6D Mark II walks away with the overall crown in this duel, particularly if your photography emphasizes image quality, low-light shots, and versatility. Its full-frame sensor, innovative touchscreen integration, and advanced autofocus will appeal to portraitists, landscape artists, and travel professionals.

Alternatively, the Nikon D7100 remains an outstanding APS-C camera even years on, ideal for enthusiasts emphasizing telephoto reach and reliable performance. Its dual card slots, faster shutter speed, and traditional control layout suit event shooters, wildlife enthusiasts, and cautious professionals on tighter budgets.

Canon 6D Mark II Pros:

  • Full-frame sensor with excellent color and noise control
  • Articulated touchscreen improves usability
  • Superior battery life and built-in robust wireless connectivity
  • 45 cross-type AF points with strong face detection and live view AF
  • GPS built-in for seamless geotagging

Canon 6D Mark II Cons:

  • Single memory card slot reduces backup security
  • Max shutter speed limited to 1/4000 sec
  • No headphone jack for video monitoring

Nikon D7100 Pros:

  • Dual memory card slots increase shooting reliability
  • Faster max shutter speed (1/8000 sec) plus faster flash sync
  • 51 AF points for flexible focus control
  • In-body flash with various modes built-in
  • Headphone jack for video sound monitoring

Nikon D7100 Cons:

  • APS-C sensor limits low-light and shallow depth of field potential
  • No touchscreen or articulated screen
  • Lacks built-in wireless, Bluetooth, or GPS (requires accessories)

Final Thoughts: Matching Cameras to Your Photography Journey

If you’re upgrading from a beginner DSLR or mirrorless camera and want noticeably improved image quality with the flexibility of full-frame, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a compelling choice. Its forgiving sensor and modern interface will suit portraits, landscapes, and even casual sports. Its limitations (single card slot and moderate burst) are manageable for most.

If you crave a rugged workhorse with telecom reach, backup options, a faster shutter for crested action, and can handle a smaller sensor penalty, the Nikon D7100 remains relevant and trustworthy. Its price positioning and lens ecosystem remain strong, making it a sound pick for wildlife-watchers and multi-day shoots requiring redundancy.

In the crowded mid-range DSLR marketplace, these cameras highlight the trade-offs between sensor size, usability, and features. Knowing which aspects matter most to your craft will ensure your purchase aligns perfectly with your photographic ambitions.

This comparison represents the distilled insights from countless hours behind the viewfinder, hands on controls, and pixel peering in the lab. Feel free to reach out with specific scenario questions or for lens recommendations tailored to your style.

Happy shooting!

Canon 6D MII vs Nikon D7100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 6D MII and Nikon D7100
 Canon EOS 6D Mark IINikon D7100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS 6D Mark II Nikon D7100
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2017-06-29 2013-04-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 7 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6240 x 4160 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 40000 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 45 51
Cross focus points 45 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Nikon F
Amount of lenses 250 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.5 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 765 gr (1.69 lb) 765 gr (1.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 111 x 75mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.0") 136 x 107 x 76mm (5.4" x 4.2" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 85 83
DXO Color Depth score 24.4 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 13.7
DXO Low light score 2862 1256
Other
Battery life 1200 photos 950 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6N EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots
Card slots 1 Two
Retail pricing $1,799 $800