Nikon D810 vs Nikon Df

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D810 and the Nikon Df, 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 D810 was introduced in June 2014 and Nikon Df was introduced in December 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

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.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D810 over Nikon Df.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Df over Nikon D810.

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.

Screen

Nikon D810 and Nikon Df have 3.2" Fixed screens with 1,229k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

Nikon D810 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 64 - 12,800 and expands to 32 - 51,200 in boosted mode. Nikon Df features a 16.2 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D810 is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like FX: 5520 x 3680, 3680 x 2456; 1.2: 6144 x 4080, 4608 x 3056, 3072 x 2040; 5:4: 6144 x 4912, 4608 x 3680, 3072 x 2456; DX: 4800 x 3200, 3600 x 2400, 2400 x 1600 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon Df is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like FX: 3696 x 2456, 2464 x 1640; DX crop: 3200 x 2128, 2400 x 1592, 1600 x 1064 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No Low-Pass Filter on Nikon D810

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Nikon D810. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D810 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon Df nothing can be done. On Nikon Df it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D810 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon D810 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon Df has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D810 comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 1200 shots and Nikon Df comes with EN-EL14,EN-EL14a battery pack with battery life of 1400 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D810 has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA). Nikon Df has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D810 has Mechanical Focal Plane shutter and Electronic shutter. Nikon Df has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D810, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon Df. Nikon D810 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Nikon Df can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D810 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon Df has 39 (9 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D810 has detection range from -2 to +19 EV and Nikon Df has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D810 and ±3 EV range on Nikon Df. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D810 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Df.

Flash

Nikon D810 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection. Nikon Df 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 both cameras.

Nikon D810 body has dimensions of 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23") and Nikon Df body has dimensions of 144 x 110 x 67 mm (5.67 x 4.33 x 2.64"). Nikon D810 weighs 980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz) and Nikon Df weighs 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz).

Nikon D810

Nikon Df

146 mm

123 mm

144 mm

110 mm

123 mm

110 mm

82 mm

67 mm