Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS M50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5 and Canon EOS M50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D5 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS M50 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D5 were released 2016 and Canon EOS M50 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
Nikon D5 2016
Canon EOS M50 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D5 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS M50 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M50 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M50 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D5 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M50 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712
Canon EOS M50 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS M50 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D5. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M50. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS M50 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5 100-102400
Canon EOS M50 100-25600

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M50 belongs to the Canon EOS M-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 M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M50

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M50 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5 14
Canon EOS M50 10

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5 and Canon EOS M50 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 D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 263% heavier than Canon EOS M50 and its 390 gr (or 0.86 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb
Canon EOS M50 390 gr
0.86 lb

Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS M50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5 and Canon EOS M50, 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
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Name Nikon D5 Canon EOS M50
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Release Year 2016 2018
Release Date 2016-01-05 2018-02-26
MSRP 6499 USD 779 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5588 x 3712 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
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 153 143
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2359000 1040000
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 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 2360000
Photography features
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Frames per second 14 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 5 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Memory Card Compact Flash
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Yes
Built-in ( 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5
Canon EOS M50
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery Details EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3780 shots 235 shots
Width 160 mm 116 mm
Height 159 mm 88 mm
Depth 92 mm 59 mm
Weight 1415 gram 390 gram