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Canon vs. Nikon: What’s the difference? (Updated for 2012)

Canon versus Nikon

I know what you're thinking, and I think you're wrong.  That may be a confrontational way to start this post, but this Nikon vs. Canon DSLR debate is fueled by such passion in 2012 that I have to explain what we're discussing here.

Both Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras provide fantastic image quality and similar features.  Because there are so many similarities between the brands, many people think that it makes no difference which brand you choose.  While I agree that either brand will give great results, I believe there are important differences between the brands that may inform your decision.

I must mention that there are–obviously–other brands to choose from.  Sony and Pentax also make great cameras that are on-par or even exceeding many Canon and Nikon models.  The only reason I haven't included more about them in this article is because more than 90% of the people who use this site shoot Canon or Nikon.  I have other articles where I discuss Sony and other brands.

Advantages of Nikon DSLR Cameras

  • Low-Light Performance.  Over the past two years, few people would disagree that Nikon has generally served up superior low-light cameras than the comparable Canons.
  • Number of autofocus points.  This one is controversial, but I think most people would agree with me.  Head-to-head, most Nikons have more autofocus points than their Canon equivalents.  When you get your camera, you'll realize how important this is because sometimes the low number of autofocus points on Canon cameras means there isn't an autofocus point for where you want to focus in the frame, forcing the photographer to focus and then recompose.
  • Flash Control.  Nikon has had better built-in options for controlling off-camera flash for years.  Canon has recently caught up, or almost caught up, with its new built-in flash triggers in the 7d, 60d, and T3i.
  • Larger APS-C sensors. Nikon uses slightly larger sensors in their crop sensor DSLR cameras.  You can read about the difference between crop and full frame cameras here.
  • Availability of minor features.  Over the years, Canon has been notorious for refusing to add in easy-to-fix features to their cameras.  For example, Nikon has been better about including geotagging via GPS in the camera, and expanded auto-exposure-bracketing sequences.  In this way, Nikon is more responsive to adding the “little features” into DSLRs–even if the two brands are mostly equal in all other respects.

Advantages of Canon DSLR Cameras

  • Video.  No question on this one.  Canon has creamed Nikon in terms of video performance.  Nikon is starting to catch on with 1080p video and a basic autofocus system in its most recent releases, but still lags far behind Canon in this aspect.  Canon DSLRs offer more frame rates, some Canons offer better codecs, etc.
  • Price.  Nikon cameras and lenses are often slightly more expensive than Canon.  Obviously, there are exceptions, but if you check the range of DSLRs and popular lenses, Nikons generally cost approximately 8% than the comparable Canon gear according to my calculations.
  • Megapixel Count.  Most photographers don't care about this, but it is handy to be able to crop in tight with more megapixels.  Canons have outperformed Nikons in terms of pixel count for a few years now.
  • Availability.  When Canon announces a new camera, you can generally expect to get it in your hands within a short period of time.  When Nikon announces a new camera or lens (especially higher-end gear), it frequently takes 4 to 6 months before it is available…. sometimes longer!
  • Focus motors.  All modern Canon lenses have built-in focus motors.  While most Nikon lenses (and certainly all the pro lenses) have focus motors, the beginner DSLRs made by Nikon cannot use all of the Nikon lenses.

Differences That “Might” Matter


Canon is a much larger company than Nikon.  It creates printers, cameras, video equipment, binoculars, calculators, and more.  Nikon is a much smaller company which focuses almost exclusively on cameras (though they also make sports optics and film scanners).  This factor may or may give an advantage to one company or the other, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions here.  Canon may have an edge for the resources of a huge mega-company, or Nikon may have the edge for being focused on one main product.

The “cool” factor.  Come on, we all know that the huge cream-colored lenses on the sidelines of sports events always catch our eyes.  Admit it.  The Canon L lenses look cooler than the dull black Nikons 🙂  Canon actually claims that the white lenses aren't a fashion thing, but actually an engineering decision to lower heat, among other things.  (If you're a law nerd, you'll recognize this as extremely stupid, because it militates against them getting a trademark for cream-colored lenses if it the trademark is functional).

So what DSLR camera is best for beginning photographers?

Both the Canon Rebel DSLRs and the entry-level Nikon DSLR cameras are very good.  I know that it can be agonizing to choose between them.  Generally, I recommend this Canon camera for beginning photographers who are interested in DSLR video or portraits.   If you're more into wildlife, landscape, candids, or flash photography, then I'd give a slight edge to this Nikon camera.  By the way, I'm continually updating these camera recommendations as both companies release new products.  I changed these camera recommendations most recently on September 15, 2011.

What's your personal choice?

I'm personally a Nikon photographer, having recently jumped ship from the land of Canon.  I switched for the low-light performance of Nikons, but I'm sure Canon will catch up very soon and then I'll look longingly to the other side of the fence.  It was a fit for me at the time, but I think Canons are just as good or better in other respects.

The purpose of the post was to inform you of some of the differences, not to persuade you one way or the other.  Do you disagree with me on my analysis?  Send in a comment below and tell me how wrong I am.  I don't mind 🙂  Also, make sure to LIKE ImprovePhotography on Facebook so you can get our daily photography tips.

149 thoughts on “Canon vs. Nikon: What’s the difference? (Updated for 2012)”

  1. For me I went Nikon… Why? Because my friends have Nikon and I can borrow their lenses! 🙂 (Tip from a coworker that is a photographer and a Canon guy)

    As I’m a beginner I went with the D3200. I’m really happy but their could have included slave mode… How much more work would that have been Nikon?

  2. I use Nikon because they never changed the lens mount. I use manual focus lenses on my DSLRs. And use auto focus lenses on my manual focus bodies(however, they must have the aperture ring).

  3. I bought a $350.00 Nikon camera about 3 years ago. To make a long story short, the camera/battery was obviously defective right out of the box needing a recharge after 20 photo’s. The ensuing contacts with Nikon’s customer service over this issue was a nightmare. I ended up sending the camera, at my expense, back to Nikon to fix. I never received a response if it was a production error in the camera or battery or whatever. After the camera came back I could take 250-300 pictures on a fully charged battery. I gave the camera to my 7 yr. old grandson and bought a Canon Rebel. I have taken over 10,000 pictures with my Rebel with no problems at all. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being excellent, I would rate the Nikon Customer Relations Dept. a very generous 1. I will never possess a another Nikon camera or anything made by Nikon.

  4. I’ve been Canon for at least 35 yrs. I do agree it would have been nice if they would’ve stayed with the FD mount like Nikon stayed with their Nikkor. In studio class 6 months we decided to test the ISO Noise (grain) of the diff brands of cameras in our classes,Beginner,Intermediate, and Advanced. We have about 50 students combined and about half are Nikon and the other Canon. We do have 1 Sony, 1 Fuji, and 1 Pentax K5. No one but the Canons made it to 3200 ISO without having some type of visable “Noise”. As far as low light from what I’ve read, is that not the main feature of the new Canon 6D other than being a new full frame? Thinking about making that purchase soon, only worry is my change from a crop camera to full frame and how big a deal that is. Is the 5D III just as good or not better? Some one please let me know how they feel. Now before I shut up I’m gonna be a Hippacrit!! PUT YOUR MONEY IN GLASS (or at least 1st put your money in tires then better motors)! Did I mention I’as born in Chicago, raised in Tn., and my nickname is Joebob??! LOL!! I’ll try and be more serious next time. Thanks, Cory

  5. I shoot Canon because I started with Canon in 1984. But if I were starting now I would go Nikon, there are more reasons that listed here where I think Nikon has thought more about the consumer and functionality.

  6. i shoot Nikon d4 and d7000 and 300mm 2.8 and sigma 800mm 5.6 and are happy With my gear perhaps canon is better i dont ceare

  7. Canon actually has a more advanced wireless flash system since the 600 EX-RT came out. No need to use PocketWizard or RadioPoppers anymore! Nikon doesn’t have anything similar yet.

  8. Oh and I think that Nikon actually wins on Megapixel count as of now. It’s actually a pain for a lot of wedding photographers shooting with 36 Mpx on D800.

  9. Dear sir I have a Cannon eos rebel T4i eos 650 D i have also purchased a panasonic model no. TC-L32X5 T.V. this is 720p lcd hdtv 32″ this is a sdhc compatable and usb flash memory,i am using Roxio Nxt Pro to make my movies am a novis-novis,now that i have all this hopefully up front my question is: My project is i want to video my Border Collies in action not pictures, but video,have a wireless sdcard to send to my lap top how do i get the video transfered to my sdhc chip.

  10. what are the noise difference between say canon 7d and a d300s nikon then versus a full frame..because in my ever so humble opinion they advertised the 7d as low noise to iso ration but if i even get over iso400 noise is quite evident in certain colors and especially in the skies in the pictures .. and gets worse as you go up..does Nikon handle it any better?

  11. I agree with the analysis
    Well, kind of agree, because I lack experience and knowledge but what you say kind of resembles my first impressions. I may change my mind as I progress but so far it seems to me your analysis is quite right.

    I must add that I feel Nikon cameras and gear are more “honest” than Canon ones. What you read in their website or ads is what you get.

    On the other hand, Canon advertisement is much more aggressive, fancy and misleading.

    Canon products are always giving you with one hand but taking you out with the other hand. Ok, all brands do that and it happens in every market as in cars or cell phones or computer or any other highly advanced stuff. But, seems to me, Canon does it in a more dishonest way, I find Canon advertisement highly misleading and making you think you are buying wonders.

    Nikon is kind of more honest, they tell you what to expect, technical specs, overall overview avoiding fancy words and avoiding fancy names like “new digic 5 processor super fast, extremely sharp colors, unmatched reliability” man you think you are buying wonders. And indeed Canon gear are wonders but Nikons are as well.

    What do I have? I have both, Nikon and Canon and I believe they are one and the same company whose stakeholders invest in both at the same time and creat an artificial competence.

    A company is nothing without a nemesis.

    All great powers need a nemesis, an adversary, an enemy, a competence.

    Canon would cry blood if Nikon gets into bakruptcy and Nikon would be shattered to pieces if Canon ever goes into bakruptcy.

    The whole competence among the big two is just a hoax.

    I bet they are the same company and their research scientists get together to drink some beer after work hours in the same bar sharing their “secrets”

    They need each other.

    Both are superb!

  12. Clueless_Wanderer

    Just as a side note to the Canon-Nikon debate. I’ve noticed a trend with ‘Head space and brands’ A certain kind of person seems to favour a certain brand. The Canon crew seem to be more of an artistic/creative, “I just want the machine to do what I want it to do and I dont need to know the why’s. The vast majority of these are also Apple users.
    The Nikon Crew seem to be more technical in their way of thinking, and they seem to favour using PC’s “I want the machine to do what I tell it do, but I want to know how and why it does it”.

    Put in the context of a racing car:

    The Canon/Apple users are the race car drivers. Anything wrong with it and leave it to the mechanic. Where as Nikon/PC users are the race car driver but also want to know how to change the oil and the spark plugs..

    Check for yourself; Ask around. If you see someone shooting canon,ask them and I bet you they use a Mac. I must have asked this question about 20 times and only once have I met a canon shooter who uses a PC for editing..

  13. Sure enough, that’s pretty accurate..lol. I shoot Nikon my best friend shoots Canon. She’s Apple all the way, I’m PC. What’s up with that? Funny observation.

  14. awwww Charles! I started out with my Canon Rebel and a Window PC. Then, those darn Apple people who entice, trick, and get you so addicted, had me and forced me to buy a Macbook Air, Macbook Pro, iMac 27 in and 2 ipads. Oh, yea and the iphone. Ooops going off the topic.

    Back in 2006, I shot with the Canon Rebel and it was an amazing camera. Slap the Nifty-Fifthy and I was all that and a “bag of chips”. Then something strange happened in Nov 2010 and I jumped over to Nikon. I grabbed that beast, D7000 and never looked back. I heard nothing but great things about the Canon 60d, 7d, 5D, 5D MK 2 and 3 (awesome AF). But I love the D7000. I am still learning how to use it to the fullest and that’s why I have not upgrade to a full sensor yet (maybe later this year).

    So now for more than 3 to 4 years, I am a Mac with a Nikon. And I want the darn camera to figure everything out. I just want to click and have the best images EVER!

    I know a lot of people using PC because of the price and they love the Canon cameras (tons of lens choices).

  15. I’d like to add that the ergonomy approach between Canon and Nikon differs a lot. Ergonomy is essential to good usability but I rarely see this topic discussed.

    Canon tend to make most of the main adjustments of the camera body readily accessible within the reach of the right hand fingers. Nikon distributes them to both hands.

    It’s of course a personal preference, and although I’m a long time Nikon user, I think Canon approach makes more sense, since it keeps your left hand free to control the lens while right hand operates the camera body.

  16. I’m a Nikon family! Coz I started learning on my sister’s Nikon D3100 and got used to it for a month and now I’m a proud owner of D3200! I have used both Canon and Nikon cams and I find Nikon’s ergonomics more comfortable!

  17. I started in the DSLR world with a D70s in 2007 and loved that camera. I was waiting for the the D7100 to be announced last year to upgrade to it, but the army issued me a T3i to use while I’m the Public Affairs Rep for the battalion, so I sold all my Nikon gear to focus on the Canon system since the T3i was a better camera relatively.

    This past Feb I purchased the 60D, last month my roommate stole my gear except my T3i, thank god because I have to turn that in eventually. I thought about using this as an opportunity to finally get the D7100, I tried it out at my local shop and I can’t stand the ergonomics of the body. Selecting focus points is so much easier on the Canons, along with the placement of the AF button on them is better for Back Button Focusing (I use the * button though).

    I really wish I could get a camera with the button placement of the Canon with the focus points of the Nikon, GPS expansion ability, and dual SD card slots without having to pay over $2500 for it.

  18. I recently switched from Canon gear to try using the Nikon D7000 to test the ergonomics and extra button availability. General Nikon advantages:
    * Panoramas and HDR – bracket shooting and changing shutter frequency (single, continuous, etc) is done instantly with a dial and without going into menus.
    * Dual-SD card body with lens for < $1000 (only the Canon 5Dmk3 years later and 3x the price has dual memory cards)

    Disadvantages for Nikon:
    * Autofocus point selection is a mystery – seriously, I constantly have to reference the manual to know to push a blank button and turn a dial to be able to select my "point of focus"
    * No visual confirmation that focus is acquired. While Canon has the little red focus point dots, Nikon uses a square and pressing the shutter halfway only makes the square blink red – without acquiring focus necessarily – especially if the lens is locked in focus (for a panorama). I have many shots out of focus because the lens was set to manual while I could only tell the focus was off for close subjects and zooming in on the image.
    * Random "Err" error messages
    * The dials rotate backwards compared to Canon

  19. I use the Nikon D7000 and it has a green focus confirmation dot to tell you that focus is acquired. It’s at the bottom of the viewfinder beside the shutter speed. When using manual focus, left and right green arrows appear to tell you if the focus is off and which direction you should turn the focus ring. Once the proper focus is acquired, the green confirmation dot will replace the arrows.

    I assume that other Nikon models also have the same or similar functionality for focus confirmation. I hope this helps.

  20. I’ve had both Canon and Nikon, they both have their own better features. I’m looking for a new DSLR and haven’t decided which to get yet. I love taking landscaping or anything that has to with the outside world 😉 Does anyone have any suggestions?

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