Nikon Z f vs Canon EOS 5D

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

Manufacturing

Nikon Z f is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z f were released 2023 and Canon EOS 5D was released 2005. That is a 18 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z f 2023
Canon EOS 5D 2005

Type of camera

Nikon Z f is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 5D 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 **
Nikon Z f 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 5D 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon Z f has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5D has 12,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z f 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Canon EOS 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912

Nikon Z f has a 92 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. 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 Z f has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z f 50-204800
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200

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 Nikon Z f
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z f 14
Canon EOS 5D 3

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon Z f. Unfortunately Canon EOS 5D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 26% heavier than Nikon Z f and its 710 gr (or 1.57 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z f 710 gr
1.57 lb
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb

Nikon Z f vs Canon EOS 5D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z f and Canon EOS 5D, 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 Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Name Nikon Z f Canon EOS 5D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Release Year 2023 2005
Release Date 2023-09-20 2005-08-22
MSRP 1999 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 4368 x 2912 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 12,7 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2
Image
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
ISO Range 50 - 204800 50 - 3200
White Balance Presets 8 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 8 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 273 9
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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
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
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 2,5”
Screen dots 2100000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Frames per second 14 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
H.265
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac)
No
Remote Control No Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS 5D
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 400 shots
Width 144 mm 152 mm
Height 103 mm 113 mm
Depth 49 mm 75 mm
Weight 710 gram 895 gram