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EOS R5

Canon

EOS R5

45MP full-frame hybrid with 8K RAW, 4K 120p, strong AF, and 8-stop in-body stabilization.

$3,899

Launch price

Released Jul 2020

vs
Z9

Nikon

Z9

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

$5,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Z9 is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

EOS R5

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

7categories

Z9

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

EOS R5 wins 3 categories·Z9 wins 2 categories
  • AEOS R5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
  • BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 180 frames)
  • AEOS R5 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 493)
  • AEOS R5 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)

Key specs at a glance

EOS R5Z9
Resolution45 MP45.7 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,20025,600
Burst20 fps120 fps
4K120 fps120 fps
IBIS8-stop6-stop
Weight738 g1160 g
Battery490 shots740 shots

Size and weight, to scale

EOS R5 front view

EOS R5

139 × 98 × 88 mm

738 g (1.63 lb / 26.03 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 is 11mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 3mm thinner than Z9.

EOS R5 is 422 g lighter than Z9.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS R5 · 91mm Z9

Back view, to scale

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

EOS R5 back view

EOS R5

139 × 98 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 top view

EOS R5

139 × 88 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

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

✓ 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 R5Z9
Portrait
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
9.5Excellent
9.5Excellent
Landscape
8.5Excellent
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Wildlife
5.0Fair
5.5Fair✓ wins
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

EOS R5

  • Burst (mechanical)

    12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds RAW, H.265, H.264

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138.5, 97.5, 88

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II

  • AF points / zones

    1053 vs 493 — higher is better

  • AA filter

    Only EOS R5 supports it

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Weight

    738 g vs 1160 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

Z9

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 EV vs -6 EV — lower is better

  • Codecs

    Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5

  • Card types

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

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    1000 frames vs 180 frames — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Cars, Bicycles, Motorcycles…

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Z9 supports it

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 120 fps
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

EOS R5

Pros

  • 45MP sensor balances resolution and speed
  • 8K RAW and 4K 120p internal video
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with advanced subject tracking
  • 8-stop IBIS
  • CFexpress Type B plus SD UHS-II storage

Cons

  • Heat limits can matter for extended high-end video
  • Battery life is modest
  • Still expensive versus newer enthusiast bodies

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 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

EOS R5
Z9
Resolution
45 MP
45.7 MP+2%
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
EOS R5
Z9
Processor
DIGIC X
EXPEED 7
EOS R5
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
Z9
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Electronic only
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
N/A
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, EOS R5 or Z9?

Z9 scores 10.0/10 versus 8.0/10 for EOS R5 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.

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

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

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

EOS R5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

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

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

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

EOS R5 weighs 738 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the EOS R5 is 422 g lighter.

Do the EOS R5 and Z9 record 4K video?

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

Are the EOS R5 and Z9 weather sealed?

EOS R5: Yes. Z9: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 490 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R5 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.

How much does each cost?

EOS R5 launched at $3,899 and Z9 at $5,499. The EOS R5 is $1,600 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way EOS R5 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.