Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8
- Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Overview
- Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Imaging Performance
- Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Video Performance
- Recommended Nikon & Canon Lenses
- Final Thoughts on the Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8
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Two of the most popular and affordable full-frame mirrorless cameras currently on the market are the Nikon Z5 and the Canon EOS R8. With that in mind, if you have whittled down your camera search to these two amazing cameras and are looking for the final push toward one or the other, this article is for you!
In this camera comparison guide, we’ll start by sharing basic overviews of the cameras. Then, we’ll examine their photo and video capabilities and recommend our favorite Canon and Nikon lenses. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all of its cameras and lenses are hand-inspected by highly-trained product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We love MPB because, over the years, we have saved thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading in photography equipment on their one-of-a-kind online marketplace. You can start saving, too, by visiting their website today. Now, join us as we explore these two powerful cameras and determine which suits you and your needs best!
Check out the video above by The Slanted Lens for an even deeper look at the similarities and differences between the Canon EOS R8 and the Nikon Z5 camera.
Table of Contents
Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Overview
Nikon Z5
Nikon released the Nikon Z5 in 2020. It’s an entry-level mirrorless camera featuring a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor and an Expeed 6 image processing engine. While the body closely resembles professional Nikon cameras like the Z7, one of the biggest differences is that its sensor lacks BSI (back-side illuminated) technology, hurting its low-light performance.
In contrast, the Canon EOS R8 debuted in 2023, making it one of the company’s newest Canon R mirrorless cameras. It holds a 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor and a Digic X image processing engine, identical to those inside the high-end Canon EOS R6 II. The upgraded components boost the camera’s speed, performance, and handling.
Canon EOS R8
One area where the Canon R8 has a decisive advantage is portability. Even though it’s not much smaller than the Nikon Z5, it’s over 200 grams lighter, making it better for travel and street photography.
Alternatively, the Z5 has the upper hand in battery life and can shoot nearly twice as many photos on a fully charged battery. The extended battery life is a huge plus for landscape and wildlife photography.
Now, here’s a head-to-head look at the key features and specs of the Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8 to see how they stack up:
Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Imaging Performance
Nikon Z5
The Nikon Z5 full-frame camera and the Canon EOS R8 both excel at still photography. Regardless of which one you use, you can expect high-quality photos with excellent sharpness and vibrant colors. The color algorithms of Nikon and Canon have long been considered the best in the photography industry, and that trend continues with these cameras.
Two advantages of the Z5 are its bigger pixels and the wider dynamic range for RAW images. The larger pixels mean it performs better in low-light conditions and produces photos with less noise. At the same time, the wider dynamic range provides more control during editing. Also, it has an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré.
Canon EOS R8
The R8 outpaces the Z5 in burst shooting and autofocus, though. Whereas the Z5 has a below-average 4.5 fps max continuous shooting speed, the R8 tops out at 40 fps! This makes it a great choice for adventure and sports photography. Moreover, its AF boasts advanced subject-tracking, which can recognize, lock onto, and track people, animals, and vehicles.
Which is the best camera for photos? It’s a tie.
Learn More:
Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8: Video Performance
Nikon Z5
While the two cameras are neck and neck when it comes to photography, unfortunately, the Nikon Z5 can’t keep up with the Canon EOS R8 once you switch to video mode. Even though both cameras have 4K video capabilities, everything from how they record the footage to the final video quality is drastically different.
For example, the Z5 has 4K/30p video recorded with a giant 1.7x crop factor, making it nearly impossible to capture wide-angle scenes. In comparison, the R8 has 4K/60p video that it oversamples from a 6K capture. As a bonus, the R8 also records 1080p/120p slow-motion video or super-slow-motion 1080p/180p. Slow-mo clips are perfect for YouTube and social media.
Canon EOS R8
One video-friendly feature we greatly applaud on the Z5 is the in-body image stabilization. Its stabilization significantly reduces camera shake, especially during handheld video capture. To get similar results from the R8, you must use Canon RF lenses with optical image stabilization.
Which is the best camera for video? The Canon EOS R8.
Recommended Nikon & Canon Lenses
Nikon Z5 with 24-70mm lens
Here are two quick lists of the best Nikon Z and Canon RF lenses to pair with the Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera and the Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera.
Nikon Z5 Lenses
Canon R8 Lenses
Final Thoughts on the Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8
Photographer shooting with the Canon EOS R8
Truth be told, you can’t go wrong with either of these full-frame mirrorless cameras. However, since you must choose one, here are our final recommendations. People on a budget and photographers who strictly shoot photos should choose the Nikon Z5. On the other hand, video-first shooters and hybrid content creators will be better off with the Canon EOS R8.
We hope you have found our Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS R8 camera review informative and are now one step closer to deciding on a camera. If not, no worries! You can compare them with other options by checking out the list below of similarly priced mirrorless cameras in stock now at MPB:
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