Canon EOS R5 vs Nikon D6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS R5 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D6 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2020.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R5 2020
Nikon D6 2020

Type of camera

Canon EOS R5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D6 is a DSLR 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 R5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D6 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 R5 has a 45 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D6 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464
Nikon D6 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Canon EOS R5 has a 117 % larger resolution than Nikon D6. 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 D6 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS R5. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS R5 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R5 100-51200
Nikon D6 100-102400

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 R5 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 R5
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R5 20
Nikon D6 14

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D6 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.

Nikon D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 72% heavier than Canon EOS R5 and its 738 gr (or 1.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb

Canon EOS R5 vs Nikon D6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D6, 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 R5
Nikon D6
Name Canon EOS R5 Nikon D6
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Release Year 2020 2020
Release Date 2020-07-09 2019-09-04
MSRP 3899 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
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 8192 x 5464 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 45 MP 21 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X EXPEED 6
Image
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus 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 105
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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 R5
Nikon D6
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2100000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.72x
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Frames per second 20 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes Yes (Wired or smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D6
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 3580 shots
Width 138 mm 160 mm
Height 98 mm 163 mm
Depth 88 mm 92 mm
Weight 738 gram 1270 gram