Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
The Canon EOS 10D and the Contax N Digital are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2003 and February 2002. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (10D) and a full frame (N Digital) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 6.3 megapixels, whereas the Contax provides 6.1 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their sensors, their features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
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Canon 10D | Contax N Digital | |
Digital single lens reflex | Digital single lens reflex | |
Canon EF mount lenses | Contax N mount lenses | |
6.3 MP, APS-C Sensor | 6.1 MP, Full Frame Sensor | |
no Video | no Video | |
ISO 100-3200 | ISO 50-1600 | |
Optical viewfinder | Optical viewfinder | |
1.8" LCD, 118k dots | 2.0" LCD, 200k dots | |
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) | Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) | |
3 shutter flaps per second | 4 shutter flaps per second | |
500 shots per battery charge | 100 shots per battery charge | |
150 x 107 x 75 mm, 850 g | 152 x 138 x 80 mm, 990 g |
Body comparison: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 10D and the Contax N Digital is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Contax N Digital is notably larger (31 percent) than the Canon 10D. Moreover, the N Digital is markedly heavier (16 percent) than the 10D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 10D nor the N Digital are weather-sealed.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
As can be seen in the images above, the N Digital has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the 10D, Canon provides the BG-ED3 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on eBay).
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life (CIPA) |
Weather Sealing (yes/no) |
Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price (USD) |
Used Price (USD) |
Camera Model |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon 10D» | 150 mm | 107 mm | 75 mm | 850 g | 500 | n | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | - | Canon 10D | ||
Contax N Digital« | 152 mm | 138 mm | 80 mm | 990 g | 100 | n | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | - | Contax N Digital | ||
Canon 7D II« » | 149 mm | 112 mm | 78 mm | 910 g | 670 | Y | Sep 2014 | 1,799 | Canon 7D II | |||
Canon 70D« » | 139 mm | 104 mm | 79 mm | 755 g | 920 | Y | Jul 2013 | 1,199 | - | Canon 70D | ||
Canon 60D« » | 145 mm | 106 mm | 79 mm | 755 g | 1100 | Y | Aug 2010 | 1,399 | - | Canon 60D | ||
Canon 7D« » | 148 mm | 111 mm | 74 mm | 860 g | 800 | Y | Sep 2009 | 1,699 | - | Canon 7D | ||
Canon 40D« » | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 750 | n | Aug 2007 | 1,299 | - | Canon 40D | ||
Canon 30D« » | 144 mm | 106 mm | 74 mm | 785 g | 750 | n | Feb 2006 | 1,399 | - | Canon 30D | ||
Canon 20D« » | 144 mm | 106 mm | 72 mm | 770 g | 700 | n | Aug 2004 | 1,499 | - | Canon 20D | ||
Canon 300D« » | 142 mm | 99 mm | 72 mm | 649 g | 400 | n | Aug 2003 | 899 | - | Canon 300D | ||
Canon D60« » | 150 mm | 107 mm | 75 mm | 855 g | 620 | n | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | - | Canon D60 | ||
Nikon D100« » | 144 mm | 116 mm | 81 mm | 780 g | 370 | n | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | - | Nikon D100 | ||
Nikon D1X« » | 157 mm | 153 mm | 85 mm | 1100 g | 1200 | Y | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | - | Nikon D1X | ||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The 10D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 73 percent) than the N Digital, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 10D features an APS-C sensor and the Contax N Digital a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the N Digital is 152 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 10D offers a higher resolution of 6.3 megapixels, compared with 6.1 MP of the Contax N Digital. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 7.38μm versus 11.90μm for the N Digital). However, it should be noted that the 10D is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the N Digital, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage.
The Canon EOS 10D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 The corresponding ISO settings for the Contax N Digital are ISO 50 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
Camera Model |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon 10D» | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | - | 21.1 | 10.9 | 571 | 57 | Canon 10D | |
Contax N Digital« | Full Frame | 6.1 | 3040 | 2008 | - | - | - | - | - | Contax N Digital | |
Canon 7D II« » | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.4 | 11.8 | 1082 | 70 | Canon 7D II | |
Canon 70D« » | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 22.5 | 11.6 | 926 | 68 | Canon 70D | |
Canon 60D« » | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.2 | 11.5 | 813 | 66 | Canon 60D | |
Canon 7D« » | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.0 | 11.7 | 854 | 66 | Canon 7D | |
Canon 40D« » | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | - | 22.1 | 11.3 | 703 | 64 | Canon 40D | |
Canon 30D« » | APS-C | 8.2 | 3504 | 2336 | - | 21.5 | 10.8 | 736 | 59 | Canon 30D | |
Canon 20D« » | APS-C | 8.2 | 3504 | 2336 | - | 21.9 | 11.0 | 721 | 62 | Canon 20D | |
Canon 300D« » | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | - | 21.0 | 10.8 | 544 | 55 | Canon 300D | |
Canon D60« » | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | - | - | - | - | - | Canon D60 | |
Nikon D100« » | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | - | - | - | - | - | Nikon D100 | |
Nikon D1X« » | APS-C | 5.9 | 3008 | 1960 | - | - | - | - | - | Nikon D1X |
Feature comparison: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 10D and the N Digital are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 10D and Contax N Digital in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution ('000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Shutter speed (1/sec) |
Shutter flaps (1/sec) |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
Camera Model |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon 10D» | optical | Y | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 4000 | 3.0 | Y | n | Canon 10D | |
Contax N Digital« | optical | Y | 2.0 | 200 | fixed | n | 8000 | 4.0 | n | n | Contax N Digital | |
Canon 7D II« » | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | n | 8000 | 10.0 | Y | n | Canon 7D II | |
Canon 70D« » | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 8000 | 7.0 | Y | n | Canon 70D | |
Canon 60D« » | optical | Y | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | n | 8000 | 5.3 | Y | n | Canon 60D | |
Canon 7D« » | optical | Y | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 8000 | 8.0 | Y | n | Canon 7D | |
Canon 40D« » | optical | Y | 3.0 | 230 | fixed | n | 8000 | 6.5 | Y | n | Canon 40D | |
Canon 30D« » | optical | Y | 2.5 | 230 | fixed | n | 8000 | 5.0 | Y | n | Canon 30D | |
Canon 20D« » | optical | Y | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 8000 | 5.0 | Y | n | Canon 20D | |
Canon 300D« » | optical | n | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 4000 | 2.5 | Y | n | Canon 300D | |
Canon D60« » | optical | Y | 1.8 | 114 | fixed | n | 4000 | 3.0 | Y | n | Canon D60 | |
Nikon D100« » | optical | Y | 1.8 | 118 | fixed | n | 4000 | 3.0 | Y | n | Nikon D100 | |
Nikon D1X« » | optical | Y | 2.0 | 120 | fixed | n | 16000 | 3.0 | n | n | Nikon D1X |
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 10D has one, while the N Digital does not. While the built-in flash of the 10D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 10D and the N Digital write their files to Compact Flash cards.
Connectivity comparison: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 10D and Contax N Digital and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Type |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
Camera Model |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon 10D» | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | Canon 10D | |
Contax N Digital« | Y | - | - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | Contax N Digital | |
Canon 7D II« » | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | - | - | - | Canon 7D II | |
Canon 70D« » | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | Canon 70D | |
Canon 60D« » | Y | mono | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | Canon 60D | |
Canon 7D« » | Y | mono | - | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | Canon 7D | |
Canon 40D« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | Canon 40D | |
Canon 30D« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | Canon 30D | |
Canon 20D« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | Canon 20D | |
Canon 300D« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | Canon 300D | |
Canon D60« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | Canon D60 | |
Nikon D100« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | Nikon D100 | |
Nikon D1X« » | Y | - | - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | Nikon D1X |
Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.
Both the 10D and the N Digital have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 10D was replaced by the Canon 20D, while the N Digital does not have a direct successor.
Review summary: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 10D and the Contax N Digital? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 10D:
- More compact: Is smaller (150x107mm vs 152x138mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 140g or 14 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 100) on a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (73 percent cheaper at launch).
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 11 months after the N Digital).

Reasons to prefer the Contax N Digital:
- Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
- Richer colors: Larger pixels generate images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Capable of capturing a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Can be used in poorly lit environments and still produce good images.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (200k vs 118k dots).
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2002).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the N Digital is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 10D and the N Digital in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.
Camera Model |
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Camera Launch (announced) |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price (USD) |
Used Price (USD) |
Camera Model |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canon 10D» | - | HiRec | - | rev | - | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | - | Canon 10D | ||
Contax N Digital« | - | - | - | - | - | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | - | Contax N Digital | ||
Canon 7D II« » | Rec | 84/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | 1,799 | Canon 7D II | |||
Canon 70D« » | HiRec | 83/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2013 | 1,199 | - | Canon 70D | ||
Canon 60D« » | Rec | 79/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2010 | 1,399 | - | Canon 60D | ||
Canon 7D« » | HiRec | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2009 | 1,699 | - | Canon 7D | ||
Canon 40D« » | HiRec | HiRec | 4.5/5 | rev | 4.5/5 | Aug 2007 | 1,299 | - | Canon 40D | ||
Canon 30D« » | HiRec | HiRec | rev | rev | - | Feb 2006 | 1,399 | - | Canon 30D | ||
Canon 20D« » | - | HiRec | - | rev | - | Aug 2004 | 1,499 | - | Canon 20D | ||
Canon 300D« » | - | HiRec | - | rev | - | Aug 2003 | 899 | - | Canon 300D | ||
Canon D60« » | - | HiRec | rev | - | - | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | - | Canon D60 | ||
Nikon D100« » | - | HiRec | rev | rev | - | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | - | Nikon D100 | ||
Nikon D1X« » | - | HiRec | - | rev | - | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | - | Nikon D1X |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
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Other camera comparisons
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Specifications: Canon 10D vs Contax N Digital
Camera Model | Canon 10D | Contax N Digital |
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | Contax N mount lenses |
Launch Date | February 2003 | February 2002 |
Launch Price | USD 1999 | USD 7399 |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
Sensor Size | 22.7 x 15.1 mm | 36.0 x 15.1 mm |
Sensor Area | 342.77 mm2 | 864 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 27.3 mm | 43.3 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | 1.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 6.3 Megapixels | 6.1 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 3072 x 2048 pixels | 3040 x 2008 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 7.38 μm | 11.90 μm |
Pixel Density | 1.84 MP/cm2 | 0.71 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | no Video | no Video |
ISO Setting | 100-3200 ISO | 50-1600 ISO |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 57 | .. |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.1 | .. |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.9 | .. |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 571 | .. |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.55x | 0.73x |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | Control Panel |
Rear LCD Size | 1.8 inch | 2.0 inch |
LCD Resolution | 118k dots | 200k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | ||
Autofocus System | Phase-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous Shooting | 3 shutter flaps/s | 4 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | Build-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
Storage Medium | CF cards | CF cards |
Second Storage Option | Single card slot | Single card slot |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | PC Sync socket |
USB Connector | USB 1.1 | Firewire |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | no HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | BP-511 power pack | 4xAA power pack |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 500 shots per charge | 100 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
150 x 107 x 75 mm (5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 in) |
152 x 138 x 80 mm (6.0 x 5.4 x 3.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 850 g (30.0 oz) | 990 g (34.9 oz) |
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