Nikon D3 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

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Overview

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3 and the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3 was introduced in April 2008 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS was introduced in March 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Nikon D3 Highlights

12.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
200 - 6,400 Native ISO
51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
Wheather Sealed Body

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Highlights

10.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
80 - 1,600 Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
2.80" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
Electronic Viewfinder
4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
Built-in Flash

Table of Contents

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

PROS

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
Live View Autofocus
High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
HDMI Output
Environmental Sealing
Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

Video Capture
80 Lowest Native ISO
1,600 Highest Native ISO
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Fully Articulated Screen
Built-in Flash
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
Internal Storage
Orientation Sensor

CONS

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

No Video Capture
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
200 Lowest Native ISO
No Face Detection
No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
No Built-in Microphone
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
9 Focus Points
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing

And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

AVERAGE

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

6,400 Highest Native ISO
15 Cross-type Focus Points
Screen Size - 3.0"
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
DxO Overall Score - 81

Screen Size - 2.80"
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

Advantage of Nikon D3

Nikon D3

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3 over Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

	Nikon D3	vs	Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Larger Sensor	Full Frame	vs	1/2.3-inch
Higher Sensor Resolution	12.1 Megapixel	vs	10.0 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording		vs
More Focus Points	51	vs	9
Center Autofocus		vs
Selective Autofocus		vs
Tracking Autofocus		vs
Continuous Autofocus		vs
Phase Detection for Autofocus		vs
Larger Screen	3.0"	vs	2.80"
Higher Resolution Screen	922k dot	vs	230k dot
Top LCD Screen		vs
Lower Min Shutter Speed	30 sec	vs	15 sec
Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)	1/8000 sec	vs	1/3200 sec
Higher Max Continuous Shooting	11.0 fps	vs	4.0 fps
Average Metering		vs
Partial Metering		vs
Interval Recording		vs
Environmental Sealing		vs
More Storage Slots	2	vs	1

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3.

Nikon D3X

Full Frame

24.5 MP

Nikon D1H

APS-C

2.7 MP

Nikon D4

Full Frame

16.2 MP

Nikon D2H

APS-C

4.1 MP

Nikon D4s

Full Frame

16.2 MP

Nikon D2X

APS-C

12.4 MP

Nikon D5

Full Frame

20.8 MP

Nikon D2Hs

APS-C

4.1 MP

Nikon D1X

APS-C

5.3 MP

Nikon D1

APS-C

2.66 MP

Nikon D6

Full Frame

20.8 MP

Nikon D3S

Full Frame

12.1 MP

Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Canon SX1 IS

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX1 IS over Nikon D3.

	Nikon D3	vs	Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Video Capture		vs
Lower Native ISO	200	vs	80
Higher Native ISO	6,400	vs	1,600
Max Image Resolution	4256 x 2832	vs	3648 x 2736
Face Detection		vs
Image Stabilization		vs
Screen Type	Fixed	vs	Fully Articulated
Built-in Flash		vs
Higher Flash Sync Speed	1/250 sec	vs	1/500 sec
Center Weighted Metering		vs
Built-in Microphone		vs	Stereo
Lighter	1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)	vs	615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
Internal Storage		vs	32 MB

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

Nikon D7000

APS-C

16.2 MP

Nikon Z8

Full Frame

45.7 MP

Sony DSLR-A450

APS-C

14.2 MP

Canon R7

APS-C

32.5 MP

Nikon D2X

APS-C

12.4 MP

Sony NEX-3

APS-C

14.2 MP

Sony a9

Full Frame

24.2 MP

Canon R6 II

Full Frame

24.2 MP

Sony ZV-E1

Full Frame

12.1 MP

Sony ZV-E10

APS-C

24.2 MP

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Medium format

51.4 MP

Nikon D100

APS-C

6.1 MP

Common Strengths and Weaknesses

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

STRENGTHS	Nikon D3	Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Live View Autofocus
Orientation Sensor

WEAKNESSES	Nikon D3	Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Low Resolution Sensor	12.1 Megapixel	10.0 Megapixel
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

Screen and Viewfinder

Screen

Nikon D3 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot SX1 IS selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS with Fully Articulated screen

Viewfinder

Nikon D3 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderCanon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. They both have 100% coverage.

Sensor

Nikon D3 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS features a 10.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

Photography Features

Nikon D3 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has an image stabilization.

Connectivity, Battery and Storage

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS comes with AA batteries (NiMH recommended) battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card card slot.

Other Features

Shutter

Nikon D3 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. Nikon D3 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3 and ±2 range on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

Flash

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.20 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Nikon D3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D3 and 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

Physical Parameters

Nikon D3 body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46") and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS body has dimensions of 128 x 88 x 88 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.46"). Nikon D3 weighs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS weighs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz).

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

160 mm

157 mm

128 mm

88 mm

157 mm

88 mm

Size comparisons of Nikon D3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

Nikon D3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS for Different Types of Photography

We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

Landscape Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
No Built-in GPS
Environmental Sealing

POOR

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing

Sports Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

6,400 Highest Native ISO
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
No Image Stabilization
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

1,600 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Orientation Sensor

Wildlife Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

6,400 Highest Native ISO
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Image Stabilization
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
Environmental Sealing
Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

1,600 Highest Native ISO
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Orientation Sensor

Portrait Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
No Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 3.0"
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
Orientation Sensor

GOOD

Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 2.80"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
Orientation Sensor

Street Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
No Built-in GPS
Environmental Sealing
Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)

GOOD

Small Sensor
9 Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fully Articulated Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

Travel Photography

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Screen Resolution - 922k dot
No Built-in GPS
Environmental Sealing
Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
Long Battery Life - 4300 shots

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Fully Articulated Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

Evaluations

We evaluate Nikon D3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and give them scores of 66 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

OVERALL

Sensor

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
200 Lowest Native ISO
6,400 Highest Native ISO
DxO Overall Score - 81

POOR

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
80 Lowest Native ISO
1,600 Highest Native ISO

Photo

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

No Image Stabilization
High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

GOOD

Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

Video

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

BAD

No Image Stabilization

POOR

Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

Focusing

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

AVERAGE

9 Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

Screen and Viewfinder

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

GOOD

Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 3.0"
Screen Resolution - 922k dot

GOOD

Fully Articulated Screen
Screen Size - 2.80"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

Connectivity

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

AVERAGE

HDMI Output
No Built-in Microphone
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

POOR

No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

Battery, Storage and Physical

Nikon D3

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

EXCELLENT

Environmental Sealing
Heavy - 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz)
Long Battery Life - 4300 shots
2 Storage Slots

POOR

No Environmental Sealing
Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
Internal Storage

For a full specification list please go to the specifications page: