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EOS R5 C

Canon

EOS R5 C

Cinema-focused 45MP full-frame hybrid with active cooling, 8K RAW 60p, and Canon Cinema EOS video tools.

$4,499

Launch price

Released Jan 2022

vs
Z9

Nikon

Z9

Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.

$5,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

EOS R5 C is 3 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

EOS R5 C

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

8categories

Z9

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

EOS R5 C wins 1 categories·Z9 wins 4 categories
  • AEOS R5 C has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 83 frames)
  • BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
  • BZ9 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (740 shots vs 220 shots)

Key specs at a glance

EOS R5 CZ9
Resolution45 MP45.7 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,20025,600
Burst20 fps120 fps
4K120 fps120 fps
IBISNo6-stop
Weight770 g1160 g
Battery220 shots740 shots

Size and weight, to scale

EOS R5 C front view

EOS R5 C

142 × 102 × 112 mm

770 g (1.70 lb / 27.16 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Z9 front view

Z9

149 × 150 × 91 mm

1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)

EOS R5 C is 7mm narrower and 48mm shorter than Z9 but it is also 21mm thicker.

EOS R5 C is 390 g lighter than Z9.

Depth (front-to-back): 112mm EOS R5 C · 91mm Z9

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

EOS R5 C back view

EOS R5 C

142 × 102 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z9 back view

Z9

149 × 150 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

EOS R5 C top view

EOS R5 C

142 × 112 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z9 top view

Z9

149 × 91 mm

Sensor size, to scale

EOS R5 C

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Z9

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

EOS R5 C

✓ more lenses

Canon RF

105+

native lenses available

45 first-party60 third-party

Z9

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseEOS R5 CZ9
Portrait
7.5Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
7.5Good
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Travel
2.5Limited
5.5Fair✓ wins
Wildlife
8.5Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
4.0Fair
5.5Fair✓ wins

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, AVC-LongG, MP4…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 142.2, 101.6, 111.8

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)

  • AF points / zones

    1053 vs 493 — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    5,790,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Z9

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 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 149, 149.5, 90.5

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD

  • RAW buffer depth

    1000 frames vs 83 frames — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 120 fps
  • 1080p max frame rateBoth 120 fps
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

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

Z9

Pros

  • 45MP stacked
  • 8K 60p internal
  • 120fps stills
  • Pro build

Cons

  • Heavy body
  • Expensive
  • Large files

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the EOS R5 C and Z9 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

EOS R5 C
Z9
Resolution
45 MP
45.7 MP+2%
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
No
EOS R5 C
Z9
Processor
DIGIC X
EXPEED 7
EOS R5 C
Z9
ISO min (native)
100
64−36 less
ISO max (native)
51,200+1 stop
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
EOS R5 C
Z9
Shutter type
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Electronic only
Max mechanical speed
1/8000
N/A
Max electronic speed
1/8000
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, EOS R5 C or Z9?

Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for EOS R5 C — 8K recording for future-proof footage.

What's the resolution difference between the EOS R5 C and Z9?

EOS R5 C is 45 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the EOS R5 C and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?

EOS R5 C does not have IBIS, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R5 C or the Z9?

EOS R5 C reaches 20 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the EOS R5 C and Z9?

EOS R5 C weighs 770 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the EOS R5 C is 390 g lighter.

Do the EOS R5 C and Z9 record 4K video?

EOS R5 C: 4K up to 120p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the EOS R5 C and Z9 weather sealed?

EOS R5 C: Yes. Z9: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 220 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R5 C and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.

How much does each cost?

EOS R5 C launched at $4,499 and Z9 at $5,499. The EOS R5 C is $1,000 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way EOS R5 C vs Z9 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.