Canon EOS R5 C vs Nikon Z8 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 45 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Canon EOS R5 C
87
WINNER
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.7 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Nikon Z8
86
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS R5 C and the Nikon Z8 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at demanding stills and video work. The Nikon is the newer design, announced in May 2023 against the Canon's January 2022. The Z8 uses a compact professional body, with vertical shooting available through the optional MB-N12 grip rather than an integrated one. The R5 C is the lighter body at 770 g against 910 g, a 140 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2022 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 19, 2022 | May 10, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 111 mm | 144 x 119 x 83 mm |
| Camera weight | 770 g | 910 g |
| Body design | — | Compact professional mirrorless body; vertical grip is an optional MB-N12 accessory, not integrated |
| Optics | 88/100 | 88/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Nikon Z8 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting, because it has in-body stabilisation while the Canon EOS R5 C does not. Slower shutter speeds become usable without a stabilised lens. The Z8 also reaches 1/32000 second against the Canon's 1/8000, and its 30 fps maximum burst outpaces the Canon's 20 fps. The R5 C answers with a clearer view: 5,760,000 viewfinder dots against 3,686,400, and 1053 autofocus points against the Nikon's 493. Resolution is effectively shared at 45 MP versus 45.7 MP, leaving the same room to crop a distant subject. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45 MP050 | 45.7 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 | 35.9 x 23.9 |
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 | 30 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 | Expeed 7 |
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 | 90044080 |
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 | 3200080032000 |
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 | 4930300 |
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 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 100/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast action in 4K is easiest on the Z8, which offers verified 4K recording at up to 120p alongside 8K capture. The R5 C carries the same headline limits of 8K maximum resolution and 120 fps maximum frame rate, and both include built-in timelapse. The R5 C records in MPEG-4, XF-AVC and MOV for Canon cinema workflows, and the shared 8K ceiling leaves room to reframe in post. | ||
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 | 8K |
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 | 7680 x 4320 |
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 | — |
| Verified modes | — | 8K recording and 4K at up to 120p |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen articulation is the practical split. The Z8's four-axis tilting touchscreen moves horizontally and vertically, suiting tripod work and waist-level shots in either orientation. The R5 C has a fully flip-out screen instead, the better choice for facing the lens while self-recording. Both touchscreens measure 3.2 inches and resolve over two million dots. Weather sealing, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and external flash are shared, and neither body has GPS, so geotagging needs a connected device. | ||
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 | 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 | 20889601150001500000 |
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 | — |
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 |
| Tilting screen | — | Four-axis horizontal and vertical tilting touchscreen |
| Storage & battery | 68/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry dual card slots, so a spare card fits without swapping, and both support USB charging between shoots. The Z8 is rated for 340 shots against 320 for the R5 C, and each uses its own battery, the EN-EL15c and the LP-E6NH, so spares are not interchangeable. Card formats differ, with the Z8 accepting SD, CFexpress and XQD while the R5 C takes SD and CFexpress Type B. | ||
| Memory card | SD (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress B | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress, XQD |
| 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 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Photographers who shoot handheld will get more from the Nikon Z8. Its in-body stabilisation keeps low-light subjects sharp without a tripod, and its 30 fps burst improves the odds on a bird taking flight. Its 1/32000 second shutter handles bright scenes at wide apertures, and verified 4K at up to 120p adds slow motion.
The Canon EOS R5 C is the better pick when framing tools and cinema workflows matter. Its 5.76-million-dot viewfinder shows fine detail more crisply, and its 1053 autofocus points spread tracking across more of the frame. Choose the Z8 for stabilised handheld stills, and the R5 C for its lighter body and cinema file formats.