Canon R6 vs Nikon D4
61 Imaging
73 Features
90 Overall
79


50 Imaging
62 Features
81 Overall
69
Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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).

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.

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS R6 & Nikon D4. The entire galleries are available at Canon R6 Gallery & Nikon D4 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon R6 over the Nikon D4
R6 | D4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2020 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 104 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+699k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Canon R6
D4 | R6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon R6 vs Nikon D4 Specifications
Canon EOS R6 | Nikon 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 |