Decision tools · Compare

D6 vs D800

Quick take: The D800 has the highest resolution at 36MP; the D800 is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

D6 — Professional Sports, Press & Wildlife Photography: Nikon's final and finest DSLR — the D6 brought 105 all-cross-type AF points, 14fps, and built-in LAN to the F mount. The last word in optical viewfinder photography.

Who should buy what
D6 (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Sports, wildlife, and press photographers who prefer an optical viewfinder
  • Professional Nikon shooters with a substantial F-mount lens collection
  • Photojournalists who need built-in LAN for wire transmission
  • Nikon system professionals seeking a used flagship at under-new-price value
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification D6Nikon · 2020D800Nikon · 2012
Price £6,799£230Best
Sensor 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS36.3MP full-frame CMOS
Resolution 20.8MP36.3MPBest
Video 4K UHD 30fpsFull HD 1080p/30, 720p/60
Autofocus Multi-CAM 3500FX III — 105 AF points, all cross-type51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view
Stabilisation —No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)
Burst Rate 14fps mechanicalBest4fps
Battery Life ~3580 shots (CIPA)Best~900 shots (CIPA)
Weight 1450g (body only)1000g (with battery)Best
Dimensions 160 × 163.5 × 92mm146 × 123 × 81.5mm
Weather Sealed YesYes
Viewfinder OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverageOptical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x
Screen 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots3.2" fixed LCD, 921k dots
Mount Nikon F mountNikon F mount
Memory Cards Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD slotsDual slots: CompactFlash + SD
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Ethernet (built-in), USB 3.1USB 3.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remote

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D6
D800
Portrait
6.4/10
6.3/10
Street
4.1/10
4.5/10
Travel
4.1/10
4.7/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
6.6/10
Filmmaking
5.7/10
—
Documentary
6.0/10
5.3/10
Sports & Action
7.0/10
5.6/10
Landscape
5.5/10
6.0/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
5.8/10
Casual
3.0/10
2.7/10
Food
4.6/10
4.5/10
Macro
4.6/10
4.0/10
Architecture
5.1/10
5.6/10
Astrophotography
6.5/10
6.0/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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