Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon Z5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS R3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon Z5 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS R3 were released 2021 and Nikon Z5 was released 2020. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R3 2021
Nikon Z5 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

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 R3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z5 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 R3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z5 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon Z5 24 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

Nikon Z5 has a 1 % larger resolution than Canon EOS R3. 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 R3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z5. Canon EOS R3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon Z5 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R3 100-102400
Nikon Z5 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R3 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R3 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R3 30
Nikon Z5 4,5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z5 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 R3 weighs 1015 gr (equal to 2.24 lb) which is 50% heavier than Nikon Z5 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R3 1015 gr
2.24 lb
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb

Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon Z5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z5, 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 R3
Nikon Z5
Name Canon EOS R3 Nikon Z5
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Release Year 2021 2020
Release Date 2021-04-14 2020-07-21
MSRP 5999 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance No Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
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 1053 273
Lens Mount Canon RF

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 R3
Nikon Z5
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 4150000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 200%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 3689400
Photography features
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Frames per second 30 fps 4,5 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R3
Nikon Z5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 760 shots 470 shots
Width 150 mm 134 mm
Height 143 mm 101 mm
Depth 87 mm 70 mm
Weight 1015 gram 675 gram