Both Nikon and Canon are great brands that produce high-quality DSLRs suitable for wildlife photography. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific features and capabilities of the cameras in question. It is best to research and compare different models from both brands to determine which one is the best fit for your needs and budget.
Read all the camera views and comparison stories you can get your hands on.
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An Overall View
Both Nikon & Canon Have Good Auto Focus systems
So long as you are not solely a sloth photographer it’s always good to be able to use an autofocus system that can keep moving animals in focus. Canon and Nikon have modern autofocus systems that maintain accurate focus on moving subjects. Both Nikon and Canon use a combination of phase and contrast detection and perform well but some photographers prefer one over the other. For instance, some believe Nikon’s system performs better in low-light conditions.
Nikon has Better Burst Speed Capability
The burst rate or the number of frames per second that can be captured in continuous shooting mode is important for capturing extremely fast-moving wildlife like birds in flight. Most Canon and Nikon cameras can capture up to 12-14 fps, which is ideal for capturing fast-moving wildlife. However, Nikon also offers a few models that can capture up to 20 fps. Nikon also offers a larger buffer capacity to avoid the large number of photos being processed from slowing the camera down.
Nikon has a higher resolution
Both Canon and Nikon offer cameras that produce high-quality images. Both brands use full-frame sensors in their high-end models, which offer better image quality than APS-C sensors. Nikon’s full-frame sensors offer a unique feature called “back-side illumination” that helps to reduce noise and improve low-light performance.
Both Nikon & Canon Have a Large Range of Lenses
Canon and Nikon both offer a wide range of lenses for wildlife photography, including telephoto lenses, super-telephoto lenses, and teleconverters. Both have a range of high-quality, large-aperture lenses that are great for wildlife although Canon’s range of prime lenses is somewhat larger. Canon has always used in the lens autofocus, while Nikon originally used in camera drive for its autofocus. This means that Nikon’s older lenses can only be used with manual focus in their newer cameras, further reducing the range of lenses available to Nikon users.
Both Nikon & Canon Offer Great Customer Support
Both Canon and Nikon offer excellent customer service and support via wide networks of service centers, online support, and tutorials. Nikon possibly has a larger and more active community of photographers who are happy to share tips and advice with others.
Both Nikon and Canon are reputable well-established brands that produce high-quality cameras and lenses. Both offer a wide range of cameras and lenses, making it easy for photographers to find the perfect equipment for their needs and budget. However, there are differences between the two brands that may make one or the other a better fit for your needs.
Compare Apples With Apples
So far this is rather general and hides important differences between Canon and Nikon because the differences aren’t applicable to all cameras the two manufacture. It’s easier to say for example which entry-level DSLR is better. We can look at a tool like DP Review’s camera comparison and note the differences.
This yielded that of the 78 parameters compared there were only 15 significant differences.
- Price seems to be similar although up to 10% difference both ways noted.
- DP review rated the Canon at 79% just 4% higher than the Nikon.
- Canon has 4 aspect ratios, Nikon only 1.
- Nikon has a larger sensor than Canon APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) – APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm
- Nikon has twice as many white balance presets with 12.
- Nikon has an extra jpeg quality level and Canon has a compressed RAW format.
- Nikon has 2 vs 11 focus points and Canon touch input in otherwise the same focusing system
- Canon has a fully articulated 1,040k dot LCD view screen. Nikon’s is unarticulated with 921k dot.
- Nikon has 16 compared to Canon’s 13 exposure modes.
- Nikon has more flexibility in self-timing functions.
- Canon has an extra “Partial” metering mode.
- Nikon doesn’t have AE bracketing.
- Nikon’s battery life at 1550 CIPA is 50% more than Canon’s.
- Canon is about 20%heavier at 449 vs 65 grams while the Nikon is slightly heavier.
- Only Canon has a wi-fi function.
In my particular case, it’s easy because I can’t ever think of buying a camera without an articulated viewscreen which doesn’t come out in the overall comparison.
More articles you may like to read –
Wildlife Photography Composition Tips for Creating Impact for beginners
The Best Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography camera setting for long distance objects
How do you shoot wildlife in low light?
Maybe It’s the Feel That Counts
It’s also evident, through browsing the internet, that many people think the camera to choose is the one that feels most comfortable when you handle it. So visit your friends or your local hire shop and see how they handle it.
My Choice
As to my personal choice, I would choose a Canon, mainly because of it using a fully articulated LCD screen of high resolution with touch inputs and because I once owned a Canon in the days of the FTb.