The Canon R5 is one of Canon’s most popular, 45MP full-frame cameras. The Nikon Z6 III is a general-purpose, 24MP full-frame camera. Although they have different resolutions, they otherwise are very similarly-matched in terms of features. So, which one should you get?
Canon EOS R5 vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Canon EOS R5 | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2020 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | DIGIC X | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.0 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8192×5464 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.39µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-102,400 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 12 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | None | None |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 83 frames (20 FPS), 180 frames (12 FPS) | Over 1000 images |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 1053 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4.5 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | Yes | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | Yes | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | N/A |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.76x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5.76 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | LP-E6NH | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 220 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 320 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 490 frames | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 738 g (1.63 lbs.) | 760 g (1.68 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 138 x 98 x 88 mm (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.5″) | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)1 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $3900 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Canon EOS R5 Used Prices | Nikon Z6 III Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Being four years older than the Z6 III, you might assume that the Canon R5 is a bit obsolete. However, that’s far from the case. Even though the Canon R5 doesn’t have a newer, stacked sensor like the latest flagship cameras today, the R5 has very capable autofocus, and it is one of the most popular cameras for action photography.
Despite being more than $1000 less expensive, the Nikon Z6 III can compete with the R5. It’s got a partially-stacked sensor and improved autofocus, making it a great choice for wildlife and sports photography. Granted, it doesn’t have the higher resolution of the EOS R5 (or of Nikon’s more expensive Z8/Z9 cameras). Instead, it can be thought of as Nikon’s answer to the Canon EOS R6 II. But compared with the R5, it has similar autofocus and wildlife-related features in general.
The Nikon Z6 III and Canon R5 are also quite similar in video features. Both feature Raw video, although there are differences here and there. The EOS R5 can film in 8K, while the Z6 III’s sensor reaches 6K. However, the Z6 III can film longer videos without stopping, and it can reach 240 FPS in 1080p mode rather than 120 FPS. Most of these differences are marginal for 95% of videographers, but they could matter to your specific situation.
In any case, the main advantage of the R5 is the 45MP sensor, and that’s no small advantage. In wildlife photography, cropping on a full-frame sensor is often mandatory, and there is a noticeable advantage of 45MP over 24MP. Of course, that comes with an additional cost, as the MSRP of the Canon EOS R5 is $1400 more. However, if you’re on a budget, don’t necessarily rule out the EOS R5 – the secondhand prices are quite good. Considering that it’s four years older than the Z6 III, there’s a good chance that you can find a refurbished R5 for a similar price as a new Z6 III, and a used EOS R5 will be even less.
Lastly, of course, lens ecosystems matter. Canon and Nikon are quite different in the lenses that they offer, which may even be the most important difference between using the EOS R5 or the Z6 III in practice. If one company has a lens that you need, focus on that more than the cameras!
Summary and Recommendations
What does the Canon EOS R5 offer over the Nikon Z6 III?
- 8K Video
- 1.84 times more megapixels (45.0MP vs 24.5MP)
What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Canon EOS R5?
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 140 more shots according to CIPA measurements
- Much lower price, costing $1400 less
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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This article does not make any sense. Z6 III compares to EOS-6 mk II. Users of EOS 5 would look at Z8 or Z7 II for that matter, or a corresponding Sony .
The article does make sense. Let’s say your local camera store has two nice sales going on, one for the Z6 III or one for the R5. How do they compare? Or let’s say you go to the camera store and some employee there tries to get you a great deal on an R5 when you came there to get a Z6 III.
Or how about this: the Z6 III is the first reasonably price Nikon to have this level of AF (and not be retro). But then again, used R5 prices are very nice, and you just want a nice, full-frame camera to get. How do they compare?
If you don’t care about megapixels that much but you’re just looking for a nice, all-around camera, it makes sense to consider the Nikon Z6 III. AND, it also makes sense to simultaneously consider the R5. Yes, the R6 II is close but the R5 is a little older and might be going for a very similar price, so it’s the age-old choice between NEW Z6 III or lightly used R5 — and if you don’t have one leg in either ecosystem then the choice makes sense.
Besides, people like comparing cameras, just because. In short, it makes sense.
Spencer, does the higher 8K video resolution of the Canon mean that it can support more aspect ratios than the Nikon (which I believe is limited to 1:1, 16:9, 5:4 and 3:2)? At $2,609 refurbished on the Canon USA website with a 1 year warranty, it is pretty close in price to the Nikon.
It doesn’t have anything to do with the video resolution, but the higher-resolution sensor of the EOS R5 can allow you to shoot at non-native aspect ratios without losing as many pixels. That could be a benefit if you like to crop your work to those aspect ratios.
The R5 apparently can shoot at 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9 (and of course the native 3:2).