What does the following concepts mean in photography?

-sensor CMOS
- FX/DX megapixel format
- NEF/RAW
- ISO sensitivity
- Hi-1/Hi-2

Are these features Nikon exclusive or suitible for Canon?

Ok the CMOS is the sensor type, generally its either CCD or CMOS (generally speaking CMOS is more professional now a days)

FX and DX are nikons 2 different sensor sizes, also referred to as full frame (FX) or cropped sensor or half sensor (DX). FX is used more widely in the professional photographers world.

NEF is Nikons raw file format, it's a file type. Shooting raw allows lots of benefits such as being able to change exposure (to a certain extent) and adjust white balance after taking the shot.

ISO is basically the cameras chip sensitivity, the higher the ISO the more light it lets in and visa versa.

Hi-1 and Hi-2 are the highest ISO's a camera has, they aren't technically native ISO's though and are generally unusable settings as they produce too much noise.

Concepts?

No, these are features or definitions.

CMOS is the type sensor used in certain cameras. CCD is the other most common type

FX is a full frame sensor or 36 x 24 mm, the same as the negative from a 35 mm roll of film
DX is a cropped sensor (APS-C the size designation) and is usually 23.6 x 15.8 mm except for Canon's which are slightly smaller
NEF is the proprietary RAW file type used by Nikon
ISO is the sensitivity of a sensor. It follows the same rules as film ASA/ISO sensitivities. 200 being a low sensitivity, used when in bright sun and 12, 800 ISO used when shooting indoor sports
When the Hi-1 or Hi-2 is listed, it is reminding the photographer that they are getting into ISO settings that produce a lot of image noise.

CMOS applies to all camera manufacturers
FX/DX is a Nikon definition describing the sensor size of specific Nikon dSLR cameras
NEF is Nikon's RAW. Canon's RAW files are called CR2 files
ISO numbers all mean the same thing when applied to sensor sensitivity. Nikon is known for having extremely low noise at high ISO's

Nikon Hi-1 and Hi2 are what they call their "boosted" ISO settings. Canon just calls it "boost"

Sample high ISO shot using a Nikon D3

Notice the low noise levels in the shadow areas at 12, 800 ISO

Nikon is known for its low noise performance

Here are two of the most popular, semi-pro Nikon and Canon cameras, head to head. As you can see the Nikon sensor out performs the Canon.

http://www.dxomark.com/...nd2)/Canon

Or you can add the Pentax K5 to the mix and it outperforms them all

http://www.dxomark.com/...3%29/Canon

Pentax… Just a Ricoh by another name…

but I hear they make good copy machines.