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Home → Comparison

Canon EOS RP vs Nikon Z5: What Should You Get?

By Jason Polak No Comments
Last Updated On September 27, 2024

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!

Nikon Z5 Image Sample #17
NIKON Z 5 + NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR @ 100mm, ISO 100, 1/320, f/8.0

Canon EOS RP vs Nikon Z5 Specifications Comparison

Camera FeatureCanon EOS RPNikon Z5
AnnouncedFebruary 2019July 2020
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Image ProcessorDIGIC 8EXPEED 6
Resolution26.2 MP24.3 MP
Pixel Dimensions6240×41606016×4016
Sensor Dimensions35.9 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame)35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size5.76µ5.95µ
Low Pass FilterYesYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)NoYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 40,000ISO 51,200
Extended ISOsISO 50-102,400ISO 50-102,400
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoNo
Focus Stack BracketingYesYes
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/40001/8000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)5 FPS4.5 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)5 FPS4.5 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingNo autofocus at 5 FPS (autofocus at 4 FPS)None
Buffer Size (Raw)50 frames (5 FPS)100 frames (4.5 FPS)
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points143273
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-3.5 EV-3.5 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/1801/200
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits8 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)8 bits8 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate25 FPS30 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate60 FPS60 FPS
Additional Video Crop Factor1.6x crop at 4K1.7x crop at 4K
Chroma Subsampling4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)4:2:0
Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots12
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-II)SD (UHS-II)
Slot 2 TypeN/ASD (UHS-II)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.2 in
Rear LCD Resolution1.04 million dots1.04 million dots
Articulating LCDYesSingle Axis
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.70x0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution2.36 million dots3.69 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 2.0Type C 3.1
Battery TypeLP-E17EN-EL15c
Battery Life (Viewfinder)210 frames390 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)250 frames470 frames
Battery Life (Eco Mode)270 framesN/A
Weather SealedYesYes
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 PricesCanon EOS RP Used PricesNikon 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.

Canon EOS RP Body Only
The Canon EOS RP is a pretty small and light full-frame camera

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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Tagged With: Canon EOS RP, Nikon Z5

About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

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