Nikon's Z 8 and Canon's EOS R5 Mark II are both roughly 45 MP stacked full-frame cameras designed to handle sport, wildlife, commercial and 8K video work in a single body. Their approaches differ: Nikon removes the mechanical shutter entirely, while Canon keeps one and adds stronger in-body stabilisation.
Canon values were re-read from Canon Europe on 2026-11-02. Nikon values come from Nikon USA's official page, which could not be re-checked today because it blocked automated access.
Key differences at a glance
- Resolution: 45.7 MP (Nikon) against about 45 MP (Canon), both stacked sensors.
- Shutter: electronic-only on the Z 8; mechanical plus electronic on the R5 Mark II.
- Burst: 20 fps RAW and up to 60 fps JPEG Normal on the Z 8; up to 30 fps electronic and 12 fps mechanical on the R5 Mark II.
- Stabilisation: 5.5 stops (6.0 with Synchro VR) against up to 8.5 stops centre on the Canon.
- Weight and wireless: 910 g with Wi-Fi 5-class radio and Bluetooth 5.0 against about 656 g with Wi-Fi 6E-class (802.11ax, 6 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.3.
Specification comparison
| Feature | Nikon Z 8 | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 45.7 MP stacked CMOS | ~45 MP back-illuminated stacked CMOS |
| Stills ISO | 64–25600; expanded 32–102,400 | 100–51200; expandable to 102400 |
| Burst | 20 fps RAW/JPEG; 30 fps JPEG Fine; 60 fps JPEG Normal | Up to 12 fps mechanical; up to 30 fps electronic |
| Shutter | All-electronic, to 1/32,000 s | Mechanical plus electronic |
| Stabilisation | 5.5 stops (6.0 with Synchro VR lenses) | Up to 8.5 stops (centre) |
| Video | 8K (page conflicts on frame rate); 4K to 120p; 12-bit N-RAW | 8K RAW up to 59.94p; MP4 8K to 29.97p; 4K to 119.9p; 12-bit CRM |
| Rear screen | 3.2-inch 4-axis tilting, 2.1M dots | 3.2-inch, ~2.1M dots (articulation not mentioned) |
| Card slots | CFexpress Type B/XQD + SD UHS-II | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11ax with 6 GHz; Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Weight (body) | 910 g | ~656 g |
| Listed price on page | $3,299.95 | Not stated in the cited source |
Shaded cells mean the cited sources did not state the value. We do not fill gaps from memory.
Sensor and shutter philosophy
Both sensors read out fast enough to make electronic-shutter shooting practical. Nikon commits to that completely: the Z 8 has no mechanical shutter, which removes shutter wear and noise. Canon keeps a mechanical shutter for flash sync and difficult artificial lighting while offering electronic bursts up to 30 fps. Neither source publishes readout-time measurements, so we do not claim one shows less distortion than the other.
Speed and autofocus
The Z 8's JPEG rates (30 fps Fine, 60 fps Normal, 120 fps in DX crop) give it more ways to trade file quality for speed. The R5 Mark II's 30 fps electronic burst works in RAW, and Canon adds pre-continuous shooting from 15 frames before the full press (firmware 1.3.0 or later). Canon also documents Register People Priority and Action Priority autofocus features. Nikon lists detection of people, animals, vehicles, aircraft and trains.
Video
Canon's page states 8K RAW up to 59.94p (Light), 8K MP4 up to 29.97p and 4K up to 119.88p, with 12-bit Cinema RAW Light. Nikon's Z 8 page offers 8K, 4K up to 120p, 12-bit N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ to 4K/60p, but conflicts on the 8K frame rate, so we do not state one. For productions that require 8K at 60p from an official specification today, the Canon's documentation is clearer.
Handling and practical considerations
The Canon is about 250 g lighter and rated for stronger stabilisation, which matters for handheld telephoto work and long days. The Nikon's 4-axis tilting screen keeps the screen in line with the lens for low and high angles. Both pair CFexpress Type B with SD. Existing lenses will usually decide this purchase: changing systems costs far more than the price gap between the bodies.
Strengths and limitations
Nikon Z 8
Strengths
- Higher electronic burst variety (up to 60 fps JPEG) and Ethernet via USB-C adapter.
- Premium weather sealing.
Limitations
- No mechanical shutter; heavier; Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5.
- Page conflicts on 8K frame rates.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Strengths
- Lighter, with a mechanical shutter and a stronger stabilisation rating.
- Newer wireless and 8K RAW at up to 59.94p.
Limitations
- Burst is slower for RAW (30 fps electronic); no price on the cited page.
- Not fully sealed per Canon's wording.
Pricing not verified
Prices change and vary by region and retailer, so none is shown. Check the manufacturer or a current retailer.
Which should you choose?
- Maximum JPEG burst and sealing: Nikon Z 8 — up to 60 fps JPEG, premium sealing
- Mechanical shutter and lighter body: Canon EOS R5 Mark II — about 656 g and a mechanical shutter
Our verdict
These are close in resolution and ambition. The Z 8 emphasises burst flexibility and sealing; the R5 Mark II is lighter, stabilises more strongly on paper and carries newer wireless. Existing lens investment should break the tie.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Nikon Z 8 or Canon R5 Mark II have a mechanical shutter?
The Canon R5 Mark II does; the Nikon Z 8 is electronic-only according to Nikon.
Which is lighter?
Canon lists about 656 g body-only for the R5 Mark II; Nikon lists 910 g for the Z 8.
Can both record 8K?
Yes. Canon documents 8K RAW up to 59.94p. Nikon's page lists 8K but gives conflicting frame-rate statements, so check Nikon's full specifications.
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How this was checked
Specifications compiled on 2026-11-02 from the sources below. Part of the cited evidence was re-checked on 2026-11-02; see the notes below.
Canon values re-read on 2026-11-02 and matched. Nikon values not re-checked (Nikon USA blocked automated access).
Disclosure: AYORAHUB did not hands-on test these products or services. Nothing on this page is a lab measurement, benchmark or review score; analysis explains what the cited specifications mean in practice.
- Prices are only on the Nikon page.
- Both vendors' CIPA/video claims use different test conditions.
Sources
- Nikon Z 8 – Overview and specifications — Nikon USA (manufacturer/official)
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II – Specifications — Canon Europe (manufacturer/official)