Nikon D800 vs Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

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Overview

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D800 and the Canon PowerShot SX150 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 D800 was introduced in June 2012 and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS was introduced in May 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Nikon D800 Highlights

36.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
100 - 6,400 Native ISO
51 Focus Points (51 Cross-type)
3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
Built-in Flash
Wheather Sealed Body

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Highlights

14.1 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
80 - 1,600 Native ISO
1 Focus Points (1 Cross-type)
Image Stabilization
3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
0.9 fps Continuous Shooting
1280 x 720 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 D800 and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

PROS

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Video Capture
Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Large Screen - 3.2"
High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
Built-in Flash
High DxO Overall Score - 95
High USB Speed
HDMI Output
Environmental Sealing
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

Video Capture
80 Lowest Native ISO
1,600 Highest Native ISO
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)
Orientation Sensor

CONS

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
Timelapse Recording
1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2500 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
No External Flash Connectivity
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
No HDMI Output
No Microphone Input
No Headphone Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 130 shots

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

AVERAGE

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Price
Sensor Resolution - 36.3 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
6,400 Highest Native ISO
-2 EV Min AF Detection
15 Cross-type Focus Points
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
Battery Life - 900 shots

Screen Size - 3.0"

Advantage of Nikon D800

Nikon D800

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D800 over Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

	Nikon D800	vs	Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Larger Sensor	Full Frame	vs	1/2.3-inch
Higher Sensor Resolution	36.3 Megapixel	vs	14.1 Megapixel
Max Image Resolution	7360 x 4912	vs	4320 x 3240
RAW Support		vs
Timelapse Recording		vs
More Focus Points	51	vs	1
More Cross-type Focus Points	15	vs	0
Selective Autofocus		vs
Continuous Autofocus		vs
Phase Detection for Autofocus		vs
Larger Screen	3.2"	vs	3.0"
Higher Resolution Screen	921k dot	vs	230k dot
Top LCD Screen		vs
Viewfinder	Optical (pentaprism)	vs
Lower Min Shutter Speed	30 sec	vs	15 sec
Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)	1/8000 sec	vs	1/2500 sec
Higher Max Continuous Shooting	4.0 fps	vs	0.9 fps
External Flash Connectivity		vs
Average Metering		vs
Higher Video Resolution	1920 x 1080	vs	1280 x 720
Higher USB Speed	USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec)	vs	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Output	Mini Type C	vs
Microphone Input		vs
Headphone Output		vs
Environmental Sealing		vs
Longer Battery Life	900 shots	vs	130 shots
More Storage Slots	2	vs	1

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D800.

Nikon D810

Full Frame

36.3 MP

Nikon D850

Full Frame

45.7 MP

Nikon D800E

Full Frame

36.3 MP

Nikon D810A

Full Frame

36.3 MP

Sony a7C

Full Frame

24.2 MP

Nikon 1 J4

1-inch

18.4 MP

Ricoh GR III

APS-C

24.24 MP

Fujifilm X-A1

APS-C

16.3 MP

Canon M6 II

APS-C

32.5 MP

Sony a7C II

Full Frame

33.0 MP

Nikon D60

APS-C

10.2 MP

Sony a7

Full Frame

24.3 MP

Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Canon SX150 IS

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX150 IS over Nikon D800.

	Nikon D800	vs	Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Lower Native ISO	100	vs	80
Higher Native ISO	6,400	vs	1,600
Center Autofocus		vs
Contrast Detection for Autofocus		vs
Image Stabilization		vs
Lighter	1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)	vs	306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)

Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

Canon SX160 IS

1/2.3-inch

16 MP

Canon SX120 IS

1/2.5-inch

10.0 MP

Canon SX130 IS

1/2.3-inch

12.1 MP

Canon SX170 IS

1/2.3-inch

16 MP

Nikon D3100

APS-C

14 MP

Canon 70D

APS-C

20.2 MP

Canon 5DS R

Full Frame

50.6 MP

Canon R100

APS-C

24.1 MP

Canon R8

Full Frame

24.2 MP

Nikon Z8

Full Frame

45.7 MP

Canon R5 C

Full Frame

45.0 MP

Canon R7

APS-C

32.5 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 D800	Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Video Capture
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus
Built-in Flash
Orientation Sensor

WEAKNESSES	Nikon D800	Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Screen Type	Fixed	Fixed
Low Video Resolution	1920 x 1080	1280 x 720
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi		Eye-Fi Connection possible
No Built-In Bluetooth

Screen and Viewfinder

Screen

Nikon D800 has a 3.2" screen with 921k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D800

Nikon D800 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

Sensor

Nikon D800 features a 36.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Canon PowerShot SX150 IS features a 14.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD 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 D800 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 6144 x 4912, 6144 x 4080, 5520 x 3680, 4800 x 3200, 4608 x 3680, 4608 x 3056, 3680 x 2456, 3600 x 2400, 3072 x 2456, 3072 x 2040, 2400 x 1600 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX150 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 3240, 3744 x 2104, 3072 x 2304, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 with 4:3, 3:2 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS has an image stabilization.

Connectivity, Battery and Storage

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D800 comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 900 shots and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS comes with 2 x AA battery pack with battery life of 130 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D800 has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA). Canon PowerShot SX150 IS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Other Features

Shutter

Nikon D800 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D800, and up to 1/2500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS. Nikon D800 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX150 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.9 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D800 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS has 1 focusing points. Nikon D800 has detection range from -2 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D800 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D800 and ±2 range on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D800 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D800 and 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot SX150 IS. Nikon D800 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D800.

Physical Parameters

Nikon D800 body has dimensions of 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23") and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS body has dimensions of 113 x 73 x 46 mm (4.45 x 2.87 x 1.81"). Nikon D800 weighs 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS weighs 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz).

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

146 mm

123 mm

113 mm

73 mm

123 mm

73 mm

Size comparisons of Nikon D800 and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Nikon D800 and Canon PowerShot SX150 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 D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

EXCELLENT

Large Sensor
Screen Resolution - 921k 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 D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

6,400 Highest Native ISO
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
No Image Stabilization
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Battery Life - 900 shots
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

1,600 Highest Native ISO
1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
Short Battery Life - 130 shots
Orientation Sensor

Wildlife Photography

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

6,400 Highest Native ISO
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Image Stabilization
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Environmental Sealing
Battery Life - 900 shots
2 Storage Slots
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

1,600 Highest Native ISO
1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
No Environmental Sealing
Short Battery Life - 130 shots
Orientation Sensor

Portrait Photography

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
No Image Stabilization
Large Screen - 3.2"
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
Orientation Sensor

AVERAGE

Small Sensor
1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Image Stabilization
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No External Flash Connectivity
Orientation Sensor

Street Photography

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
No Built-in GPS
Environmental Sealing
Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)

GOOD

Small Sensor
1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)

Travel Photography

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

No Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Screen Resolution - 921k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
No Built-in GPS
Environmental Sealing
Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
Battery Life - 900 shots

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Fixed Screen
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
No Built-in GPS
No Environmental Sealing
Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)
Short Battery Life - 130 shots

Evaluations

We evaluate Nikon D800 and Canon PowerShot SX150 IS and give them scores of 71 and 50 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 D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

OVERALL

Sensor

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

Large Sensor
Sensor Resolution - 36.3 Megapixel
100 Lowest Native ISO
6,400 Highest Native ISO
High DxO Overall Score - 95

POOR

Small Sensor
Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
80 Lowest Native ISO
1,600 Highest Native ISO

Photo

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

No Image Stabilization
High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

AVERAGE

Timelapse Recording
Image Stabilization
Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2500 sec
Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.9 fps
No External Flash Connectivity

Video

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

BAD

No Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

POOR

Image Stabilization
Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

Focusing

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

-2 EV Min AF Detection
51 Focus Points
15 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

AVERAGE

1 Focus Points
0 Cross-type Focus Points
Face Detection
Live View Autofocus

Screen and Viewfinder

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

Fixed Screen
Large Screen - 3.2"
Screen Resolution - 921k dot

POOR

Fixed Screen
Screen Size - 3.0"
Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
No Viewfinder

Connectivity

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

High USB Speed
HDMI Output
No Built-in GPS
No Built-In Wi-Fi
No Built-In Bluetooth

BAD

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

Battery, Storage and Physical

Nikon D800

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

GOOD

Environmental Sealing
Weight - 1000 g (2.20 lb / 35.27 oz)
Battery Life - 900 shots
2 Storage Slots

POOR

No Environmental Sealing
Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)
Short Battery Life - 130 shots

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