Canon
EOS R5
45MP full-frame hybrid with 8K RAW, 4K 120p, strong AF, and 8-stop in-body stabilization.
$3,899
Released Jul 2020
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z9 is 1.3 years newer.
Wins
EOS R5
Wins
Z9
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- 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
Size and weight, to scale
EOS R5
139 × 98 × 88 mm
738 g (1.63 lb / 26.03 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
EOS R5 is 11mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 3mm thinner than Z9.
EOS R5 is 602 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
139 × 98 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS R5
139 × 88 mm
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 lensesCanon RF
105+
native lenses available
Z9
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
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 1340 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 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
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both 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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, EOS R5 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 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 1340 g, so the EOS R5 is 602 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 $5,899. The EOS R5 is $2,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.