Nikon D800 has a
36.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor. On the other hand, Canon 6D MII has a
26.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features DIGIC 7 processor.
Nikon D800's sensor provides 10MP more than Canon 6D MII'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 D800 and 6D MII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D800 and Canon 6D MII Cameras
Nikon D800 and Canon 6D MII 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 Canon 6D MII has 39% larger pixel area (33.19µm 2 vs 23.83µm 2 ) compared to Nikon D800, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D800 and Canon 6D MII 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, D800 has scored 95, 10 points higher than 6D MII.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D800
95
25.3 bits
14.4 Evs
2853 ISO
Canon 6D MII
85
24.4 bits
11.9 Evs
2862 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
Nikon D800
or the
Canon 6D MII ,
including hyperfocal distance.
