Canon
EOS R5 Mark II
45MP stacked-sensor powerhouse with 8K 60p RAW internal and 30fps burst.
$4,299
Released Jul 2024
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
EOS R5 Mark II is 1.2 years newer.
Wins
EOS R5 Mark II
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS R5 Mark II has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AEOS R5 Mark II has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 493)
- AEOS R5 Mark II has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 600 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R5 Mark II
138 × 101 × 94 mm
746 g (1.64 lb / 26.31 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
EOS R5 Mark II is 6mm narrower and 17mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 11mm thicker.
EOS R5 Mark II is 74 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 94mm EOS R5 Mark II · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS R5 Mark II
138 × 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 Mark II
138 × 94 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS R5 Mark II
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 Mark II
✓ 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
The verdict
The primary trade-off is a $300 price difference favoring the Nikon Z8 against the Canon EOS R5 Mark II's significantly deeper 600-shot RAW buffer.
Choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II if you require sustained high-speed shooting, as its 600-shot RAW buffer is much larger than the 124-shot capacity of its rival. The 30 fps electronic burst rate further cements its position as the superior choice for action photographers.
Choose the Nikon Z8 if you prioritize low-light performance, as its -10 EV autofocus sensitivity is significantly more capable than the -6.5 EV rating on the Canon. Its electronic-only shutter and $3999 price make it a more cost-effective choice for hybrid shooters using ProRes RAW.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS R5 Mark II
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds RAW, XF-HEVC S, XF-AVC S…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.4, 101.2, 93.5
AF points / zones
1053 vs 493 — higher is better
AA filter
Only EOS R5 Mark II supports it
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 -6.5 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 600 frames — higher is better
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bicycles, Motorcycles, Airplanes
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS R5 Mark II
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked CMOS — speed and resolution
- ✓8K 60p RAW internal recording
- ✓30fps electronic burst at full 45MP
- ✓5.76M dot EVF
Cons
- –Premium $4,299 price
- –Short battery life (320 CIPA shots)
- –Body heat in extended 8K sessions
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 landscape, EOS R5 Mark II or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for EOS R5 Mark II — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the EOS R5 Mark II and Z8?
EOS R5 Mark II is 45 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS R5 Mark II and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS R5 Mark II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R5 Mark II or the Z8?
EOS R5 Mark II reaches 30 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS R5 Mark II and Z8?
EOS R5 Mark II weighs 746 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the EOS R5 Mark II is 74 g lighter.
Do the EOS R5 Mark II and Z8 record 4K video?
EOS R5 Mark II: 8K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS R5 Mark II and Z8 weather sealed?
EOS R5 Mark II: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 320 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R5 Mark II and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the Z8 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS R5 Mark II launched at $4,299 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z8 is $300 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.