Canon 1D X II has a
20.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual DIGIC 6+ processor. On the other hand, Nikon D700 has a
12.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.
Canon 1D X II's sensor provides 8MP more than Nikon D700's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the 1D X MII and D700 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon 1D X II and Nikon D700 Cameras
Canon 1D X II and Nikon D700 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Nikon D700 has 65% larger pixel area (71.70µm 2 vs 43.29µm 2 ) compared to Canon 1D X II, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Canon 1D X II and Nikon D700 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, 1D X MII has scored 88, 8 points higher than D700.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon 1D X II
88
24.1 bits
13.5 Evs
3207 ISO
Nikon D700
80
23.5 bits
12.2 Evs
2303 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon 1D X II
or the
Nikon D700 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
