Canon EOS R5 C vs Nikon Z7 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 45 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Canon EOS R5 C
80
SCORE
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.75 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7 II
83
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS R5 C and the Nikon Z7 II are mirrorless cameras built around rival native lens systems. The R5 C arrived in 2022 on the Canon RF mount, two years after the 2020 Z7 II on the Nikon Z mount, so each takes its own maker's lenses. The Z7 II is the lighter carry at 705 g against 770 g, and the slimmer body at 70 mm deep versus 111 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2022 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 19, 2022 | October 14, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 111 mm | 134 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 770 g | 705 g |
| Optics | 79/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z7 II is the better match for handheld work in dim interiors, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the R5 C does not. That stabilisation steadies the sensor so you can keep shooting at slower shutter speeds without a tripod. For fast action the R5 C pulls clear, with 20 fps continuous shooting against 10 fps and 1053 autofocus points against 439. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, and resolution is effectively matched at 45 MP for the Canon and 45.75 MP for the Nikon, so either leaves ample room to crop a distant subject. Their expanded ISO ranges reach the same 102400 ceiling, and both offer a 1/8000 second top shutter speed for bright, wide-open scenes. The Canon's electronic viewfinder shows finer detail, at 5.76 million dots versus 3.69 million. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45 MP050 | 45.75 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8192 x 5464 | 8256 x 5504 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 23.9 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
20 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon RF | Nikon Z |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic X | Dual Expeed 6 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 3230200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10530300 | 4390300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 576000009900000 | 369000009900000 |
| Video | 100/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe R5 C is the stronger pick for video editors who want cropping and reframing room, recording up to 8K while the Z7 II tops out at 4K. That extra resolution lets you punch into a frame and still deliver a clean 4K cut. Both offer built-in timelapse, and each supports a top video frame rate of 120 fps as a separate limit from its maximum resolution. For editing workflows, the R5 C offers Canon's XF-AVC format alongside MOV and MPEG-4, while the Z7 II records MOV and MP4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 8K |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
8192 x 4320 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, XF-AVC, MOV | MOV, MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing and a 3.2-inch touchscreen that flips out come on both cameras, so low-angle framing works on either body. Both screens show 2.1 million dots with touch control, and both cameras carry Wi-Fi with Bluetooth for transferring images to a phone. Neither offers GPS or a built-in flash, but both support external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 21000001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 68/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Z7 II has the longer rated battery life, at 420 shots against 320 for the R5 C under their respective test conditions. Both accept two memory cards at once, with the Canon pairing an SD UHS-II slot with CFexpress B and the Nikon pairing SD with CFexpress Type B or XQD. Both also charge over USB between locations. | ||
| Memory card | SD (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress B | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6NH | EN-EL15c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS R5 C if your work centres on fast action or high-end video. Its 20 fps burst, 1053 autofocus points and 8K recording suit sports, wildlife and cinematic projects that need reframing room.
Choose the Nikon Z7 II if you shoot handheld more than from a tripod. Its in-body stabilisation steadies dim interiors and evening streetscapes, and its 420-shot rating supports a longer day. With resolution effectively matched at about 45 MP, stills cropping room favours neither.