Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon Z7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon Z7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5DS is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon Z7 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5DS were released 2015 and Nikon Z7 was released 2018. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5DS 2015
Nikon Z7 2018

Type of camera

Canon EOS 5DS is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z7 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 5DS 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z7 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 5DS has a 51 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z7 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 5DS 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Canon EOS 5DS has a 11 % larger resolution than Nikon Z7. 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

Nikon Z7 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon Z7 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5DS 100-6400
Nikon Z7 64-25600

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 5DS
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z7

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5DS 5
Nikon Z7 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon Z7 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 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 38% heavier than Nikon Z7 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5DS 930 gr
2.05 lb
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb

Canon EOS 5DS vs Nikon Z7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5DS and Nikon Z7, 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 5DS
Nikon Z7
Name Canon EOS 5DS Nikon Z7
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Release Year 2015 2018
Release Date 2015-02-06 2018-08-23
MSRP 3699 USD 3399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8688 x 5792 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 51 MP 46 MP
Image Processor DUAL DIGIC 6 EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
ISO Range 100 - 6400 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 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 5DS
Nikon Z7
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 61 493
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 5DS
Nikon Z7
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type ClearView II 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 N/A 3690000
Photography features
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Frames per second 5 fps 9 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 Yes 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 5DS
Nikon Z7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired and wireless) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5DS
Nikon Z7
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 700 shots 330 shots
Width 152 mm 134 mm
Height 116 mm 101 mm
Depth 76 mm 68 mm
Weight 930 gram 675 gram