FLAGSHIP CAMERAS COMPARED FROM CANON, NIKON AND SONY image

Flagship Cameras Compared from Canon, Nikon and Sony

When Nikon announced their flagship DSLR the Nikon D6 following the Canon EOS 1DX mark III and the Sony A9 II, the “big three” camera manufacturers had each released a flagship full-frame camera body in the space of six months. In this article we compare the main specifications of all three bodies.

The Nikon D6, Sony A9 II and EOS 1Dx mark III compared

We have not yet had our hands on a Nikon D6 so cannot do a working comparison of the cameras. However, now the specifications are released, we can put the stats of each camera side by side. There are some similarities as the manufacturers compete for the same audience: The cameras all feature built in wifi connectivity as well as Ethernet ports for Wired LAN connections. The resolution is low across all bodies, they are made for fast and high quality image recording, and fast transmission which a low file-size helps with. Mirrorless technology is the main differentiation in the bodies with those brands adopting newer technologies achieving higher burst rates for continuous shooting – significant for sport photography in particular.

Full write ups on the cameras are on our blog for further reading:
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/nikon-launches-the-d6/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFE100″ color=”#000000″]Nikon D6: Feb 12th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/canon-launches-the-eos-1dx-mark-iii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#BF1920″ color=”#ffffff”]Canon EOS 1DX mark III: Jan 7th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/sony-a9-mark-ii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFA500″ color=”#000000″]Sony A9 II : Oct 3rd 2019[/gdlr_button]

 

Nikon D6Sony A9 IICanon EOS 1DX mark III
Camera TypeDSLRMirrorlessDSLR
Launch Price£6,299£4,799£6,499
Sensor SizeFull FrameFull FrameFull Frame
Resolution
(Megapixels)
20.824.220.1
Video (Max)4K UHD 30p
3840×2160
XAVC S 4K 30p
3840×2160
4K Raw 59.94fps
5496×2904
ISO Range100 – 102,400100 – 5,1200100 – 102,400
Extended ISO50 – 3,280,00050 – 204,80050 – 819,200
AF Points105693191
Shooting Rate14fps20fps16fps
Memory CardsDual XQD / CFexpressDual SD UHS-IIDual CFexpress
Lens MountNikon FSony-ECanon EF
USB PortUSB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)
HDMI PortMini HDMIMicro HDMIMini HDMI
LAN Terminal1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless LAN built-inYesYesYes
Weight (g)12706781440
Size WxHxD mm160 x 163 x 92129 x 96 x 76158 x 168 x 83
Battery life (CIPA rating)35806902850
Nikon D6 image

Nikon Launches the D6

Nikon launches the D6 camera body! Full specifications for the flagship DSLR are now available. Nikon has designed the new camera to suit the demands of sport and press photographers with developments in speed, autofocus and ISO performance.

The Nikon D6 is expected to ship in spring 2020 and the launch price is £6,299. The sales team have an order list, to put your name down, or for more details on any of the camera specs, call our team on 020 7582 3294 or email sales@fixationuk.com

D6 Autofocus

Nikon calls the autofocus system in the Nikon D6 their “most powerful AF system yet” with 105 selectable cross type sensors capable of achieving focus at -4 EV at all points. Focusing with teleconverters and long lenses is now easier: Fifteen of the camera’s cross-type AF sensors are able to focus at apertures as small as f/8.

Subject tracking is improved with more custom settings available to fine tune the AF behavior. When using auto area AF photographers can now define the AF starting point, and prioritise focusing on a subject’s eyes in both Auto-Area AF and 3D tracking modes.

Image Quality and Speed

The sensor in the Nikon D6 is a 20.8 megapixel CMOS for high quality stills and 4k UHD video recording. The images are processed through a Nikon Expeed 6 chip. ISO 100 – 102,400 can be extended to 50 – 3,280,000 equivalent for extreme low-light photography. Metering is provided by a 180K-pixel RGB sensor, this unit also supports AF tracking

Shooting speed is crucial for sport and action. The Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 frames per second with full Autofocus and Auto Exposure operation. In Silent Photography mode the rate is reduced to 10.5 frames per second with Auto Exposure tracking only.

Build and Networking

Dual card slots are no surprise in a professional body. Nikon confirm that the D6 will be compatible with XQD and new CFexpress cards. The fastest card technology available today will give photographers the benefit of fast read, write and image transfer speeds. Images can be transferred direct from camera via wired LAN connection 1000BASE-T which is 15% faster than the Nikon D5. Wireless image transfer is possible with the addition of the WT-6 transmitter. When transmitting, key images can be selected to send first, jumping to the top of the queue for Wired LAN and WiFi image transfer.

Ergonomic changes: Nikon has modified the camera port layout to make it easier to connect cables and use ports while the WT-6 is attached. There are more ways to check, select and transfer images from the higher resolution rear LCD display. The simplified workflow on the D6 offers users more ways to select and transfer key images using the high resolution touch-screen monitor.

Aside from ergonomic tweaks to make the camera easier to use, the main layout remains consistent with the Nikon D5 so established Nikon users will find the layout instantly familiar. The flagship series from Nikon is incredibly robust with weather sealing to keep out dust and moisture. The vertical release grip houses one EN-EL18c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery. The camera is compatible with earlier EN-EL18 batteries.

The Nikon D6 is expected to ship in spring 2020 and the launch price is £6,299. The sales team have an order list, to put your name down, or for more details on any of the camera specs, call our team on 020 7582 3294 or email sales@fixationuk.com

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