Canon
EOS R5 C
Cinema-focused 45MP full-frame hybrid with active cooling, 8K RAW 60p, and Canon Cinema EOS video tools.
$4,499
Released Jan 2022
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Z8 is 1.3 years newer.
Wins
EOS R5 C
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R5 C has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 180 frames)
- AEOS R5 C has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 493)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R5 C
142 × 101 × 111 mm
770 g (1.70 lb / 27.16 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
EOS R5 C is 2mm narrower and 18mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 28mm thicker.
EOS R5 C is 50 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 111mm EOS R5 C · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS R5 C
142 × 101 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS R5 C
142 × 111 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R5 C
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS R5 C
✓ more lensesCanon RF
105+
native lenses available
Z8
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS R5 C
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Cinema RAW Light, XF-AVC, H.265…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 142, 101, 111
AF points / zones
1053 vs 493 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -6 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 180 frames — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z8 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R5 C
Pros
- ✓8K RAW 60p internal recording with active cooling
- ✓Cinema EOS interface and professional video tools
- ✓45MP full-frame stills capability
- ✓4K 120p slow motion
- ✓CFexpress Type B plus SD UHS-II storage
Cons
- –No in-body stabilization
- –Battery life is limited for high-end video
- –Larger body than the EOS R5
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, EOS R5 C or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for EOS R5 C — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R5 C and Z8?
EOS R5 C is 45 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS R5 C and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R5 C does not have IBIS, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R5 C or the Z8?
EOS R5 C reaches 20 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R5 C and Z8?
EOS R5 C weighs 770 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the EOS R5 C is 50 g lighter.
Do the EOS R5 C and Z8 record 4K video?
EOS R5 C: 8K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R5 C and Z8 weather sealed?
EOS R5 C: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 320 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R5 C and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the Z8 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R5 C launched at $4,499 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z8 is $500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.