Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Nikon Z6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon Z6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon Z6 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV were released 2016 and Nikon Z6 was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 2016
Nikon Z6 2018

Type of camera

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z6 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 30 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z6 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480
Nikon Z6 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 24 % larger resolution than Nikon Z6. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z6. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 102400 while Nikon Z6 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 50-102400
Nikon Z6 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z6 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 7
Nikon Z6 12

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon Z6 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV weighs 890 gr (equal to 1.96 lb) which is 32% heavier than Nikon Z6 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 890 gr
1.96 lb
Nikon Z6 675 gr
1.49 lb

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Nikon Z6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon Z6, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Name Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Nikon Z6
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Release Year 2016 2018
Release Date 2016-08-28 2018-08-23
MSRP 3499 USD 1995 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 6720 x 4480 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 30 MP 25 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 6+ EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
ISO Range 50 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 273
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3,2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1620000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3690000
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Frames per second 7 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In (802.11b/g/n + NFC)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Nikon Z6
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15b
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 310 shots
Width 151 mm 134 mm
Height 116 mm 101 mm
Depth 76 mm 68 mm
Weight 890 gram 675 gram