The Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon D7200 are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2012 and March 2015. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a full frame (6D) and an APS-C (D7200) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon D7200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers. Body comparisonThe side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 6D and the Nikon D7200. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D7200 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Canon 6D. Moreover, the D7200 is slightly lighter (1 percent) than the 6D. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (6D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D7200). Concerning battery life, the 6D gets 1090 shots out of its LP-E6 battery, while the D7200 can take 1110 images on a single charge of its EN-EL15 power pack. The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options. Body Specifications # Camera Model Camera Width Camera Height Camera Depth Camera Weight Battery Life Weather Sealing Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Canon 6D 145 mm 111 mm 71 mm 770 g 1090 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com2. Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com3. Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com4. Canon 5D Mark IV 151 mm 116 mm 76 mm 890 g 900 Y Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com5. Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com6. Canon 7D II 149 mm 112 mm 78 mm 910 g 670 Y Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com7. Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com8. Canon 5D Mark III 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 950 g 950 Y Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com9. Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com10. Canon 5D Mark II 152 mm 114 mm 75 mm 850 g 850 Y Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com11. Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com12. Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com13. Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com14. Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com15. Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com16. Nikon D600 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The D7200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the 6D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Sensor comparisonThe imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 6D features a full frame sensor and the Nikon D7200 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D7200 is 58 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. Despite having a smaller sensor, the D7200 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the 6D. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a of 3.91μm versus 6.57μm for the 6D). However, it should be noted that the D7200 is much more recent (by 2 years and 5 months) than the 6D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D7200 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves. The resolution advantage of the Nikon D7200 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D7200 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 6D are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints. The Canon EOS 6D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D7200 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-102400. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras. Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the D7200 has a markedly higher DXO score than the 6D (overall score 5 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.7 bits higher color depth, 2.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.8 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators. Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Canon 6D Full Frame 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.812.12340822. Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.61333873. Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.92862854. Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.813.62995915. Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.21135796. Canon 7D II APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.411.81082707. Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.6926688. Canon 5D Mark III Full Frame 22.1 5760 38401080/30p24.011.72293819. Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.827868210. Canon 5D Mark II Full Frame 21.0 5616 37441080/30p23.711.918157911. Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.014838612. Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.013248313. Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.529569314. Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.712568315. Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.429259416. Nikon D600 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.2298094
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the D7200 provides a faster frame rate than the 6D. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p. Feature comparisonApart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 6D and the D7200 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the D7200 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 6D (97%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the 6D has a higher magnification (0.71x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 6D, the Nikon D7200, and comparable cameras. Core Features # Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Canon 6Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s n n 2. Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 3. Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n 4. Canon 5D Mark IVoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n n 5. Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 6. Canon 7D IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s Y n 7. Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n 8. Canon 5D Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s n n 9. Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n 10. Canon 5D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 3.9/s n n 11. Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n 12. Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n 13. Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 14. Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 15. Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 16. Nikon D600optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D7200 has one, while the 6D does not. While the built-in flash of the D7200 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light. The Nikon D7200 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software. Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 6D and the D7200 write their files to SDXC cards. The D7200 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the 6D only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s. Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D7200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Canon 6DYmono / monoY-mini2.0Y-- 2. Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 3. Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 4. Canon 5D Mark IVYmono / monoYYmini3.0YY- 5. Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY- 6. Canon 7D IIYstereo / monoYYmini3.0- 7. Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y 8. Canon 5D Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini2.0- 9. Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0- 10. Canon 5D Mark IIYmono / monoY-mini2.0- 11. Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y 12. Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY 13. Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y 14. Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0- 15. Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0- 16. Nikon D600Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
It is notable that the D7200 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The 6D lacks such a headphone port. Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 6D has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data. Both the 6D and the D7200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 6D was replaced by the Canon 6D Mark II, while the D7200 was followed by the Nikon D7500. Further information on the features and operation of the 6D and D7200 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 6D Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D7200 Manual. Review summarySo what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 6D or the Nikon D7200 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below. Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 6D:
Reasons to prefer the Nikon D7200:
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D7200 is the clear winner of the contest (17 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. 6D 05:17 D7200 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 6D and the Nikon D7200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 6D or the D7200 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. Expert reviewsThis is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. Expert Camera Reviews # Camera Model AP score CL score DCW score DPR score EPZ score PB score Camera Launch Launch Price (USD) Street Price 1. Canon 6D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com 2. Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com 3. Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com 4. Canon 5D Mark IV4.5/5+ +4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com 5. Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com 6. Canon 7D II4.5/5+3.5/584/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,799ebay.com 7. Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 1,199ebay.com 8. Canon 5D Mark III..+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2012 3,499ebay.com 9. Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com 10. Canon 5D Mark II4/591/100..79/1004/5.. Sep 2008 3,499ebay.com 11. Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com 12. Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999 amazon.com 13. Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com 14. Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com 15. Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com 16. Nikon D6004/5+ +..87/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Specifications: Canon 6D vs Nikon D7200Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
