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Canon R6 vs Nikon D4

Portability
61
Imaging
73
Features
90
Overall
79
Canon EOS R6 front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Canon R6
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 680g - 138 x 98 x 88mm
  • Revealed July 2020
  • Updated by Canon R6 II
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon D3S
  • Successor is Nikon D4s
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Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon R6 vs Nikon D4, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the R6 (20MP) and D4 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The R6 was brought out 8 years later than the D4 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon R6 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon D4 being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the R6 matches up against the D4 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon R6 over the Nikon D4

 R6 D4 
IntroducedJuly 2020January 2012Fresher by 104 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1620k921kClearer screen (+699k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Canon R6

 D4 R6 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon R6 and Nikon D4

 R6 D4 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Canon R6 features exterior measurements of 138mm x 98mm x 88mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.5") and a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Nikon D4 has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Look at the Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the R6 against the D4.

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the R6 and D4 is 61 and 50 respectively.

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the R6 and D4.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon R6 to deliver more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer R6 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R6 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D4 as a Portrait photography camera
83
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
77
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon R6 Street photography information
Nikon D4 Street photography information
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (102,400)
56
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon R6 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D4 as a Sports photography camera
80
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (360 CIPA)
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon R6 Travel photography highlights
Nikon D4 Travel photography highlights
67
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (360 shots)
59
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon R6 Landscape photography factors
Nikon D4 Landscape photography factors
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon RF mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (360 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
74
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R6 Vlogging info
Nikon D4 Vlogging info
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic port
26
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R6 and Nikon D4
 Canon EOS R6Nikon D4
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS R6 Nikon D4
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Revealed 2020-07-09 2012-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic X Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4928 x 3280
Max native ISO 102400 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 6072 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount Canon RF Nikon F
Available lenses 17 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,620 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840x2160 (60p/​30p/​23.98p) |1920x1080 (120p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p/​23.98p) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 680g (1.50 lb) 1340g (2.95 lb)
Physical dimensions 138 x 98 x 88mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.5") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 2965
Other
Battery life 360 photos 2600 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6NH EN-EL18
Self timer Yes Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD slots (UHS-II supported) CompactFlash, XQD
Card slots 2 2
Retail pricing $2,499 $4,500