The Canon EOS RP and Nikon Z5 are two entry-level mirrorless cameras. They have similar specs and were released roughly at the same time. If you’re looking for a basic full-frame camera that won’t break the bank, both the RP and the Z5 are compelling options. Which one should you choose? Read on to find out!
Canon EOS RP vs Nikon Z5 Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Canon EOS RP | Nikon Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2019 | July 2020 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 | EXPEED 6 |
| Resolution | 26.2 MP | 24.3 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6240×4160 | 6016×4016 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.76µ | 5.95µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 40,000 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-102,400 | ISO 50-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | No |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 5 FPS | 4.5 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 5 FPS | 4.5 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | No autofocus at 5 FPS (autofocus at 4 FPS) | None |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 50 frames (5 FPS) | 100 frames (4.5 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 143 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -3.5 EV | -3.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/180 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 8 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 8 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 25 FPS | 30 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.6x crop at 4K | 1.7x crop at 4K |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:0 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 30 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 1.04 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Yes | Single Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | No |
| 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 2.0 | Type C 3.1 |
| Battery Type | LP-E17 | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 210 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 250 frames | 470 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 270 frames | N/A |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 485 g (1.07 lbs.) | 675 g (1.49 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 133 x 85 x 70 mm (5.2 x 3.3 x 2.8″) | 134 x 101 x 80 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.1″)1 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $1000 (Check Current Price) | $1400 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Canon EOS RP Used Prices | Nikon Z5 Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z5’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z5’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
Looking at the specs and based on our team’s experience, the RP and Z5 are very close. The two cameras have similar resolutions and burst speeds. Both have some limitations common for cameras in this price range: a crop factor for 4K video and fairly slow readout sensors that have some rolling shutter. In other words, you’re not going to be using these cameras for tough situations that require speed, but they will still produce amazing image quality for still photography.
There are some significant differences between these two cameras also. The Canon RP is quite a small camera, weighing 190g less than the Nikon Z5. This makes the RP quite an attractive package for travel compared to the heavier Z5.
The Nikon Z5 though has IBIS, and the Canon RP does not. In my opinion, this makes the Z5 better for most types of still photography, so if I had to choose one for still photography, the Nikon Z5 wins in my book. That does come at a cost however: the Nikon Z5 is typically about $300 more expensive than the RP, which is a pretty big difference at this price point.
What does the Canon EOS RP offer over the Nikon Z5?
- Lighter weight (190g lighter or about 1.4 times lighter)
- Lower price, costing $400 less
What does the Nikon Z5 offer over the Canon EOS RP?
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Two card slots, which is better for redundancy and backup
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 180 more shots according to CIPA measurements
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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