Nikon Z f vs Canon EOS M

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

Manufacturing

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

Nikon Z f were released 2023 and Canon EOS M was released 2012. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z f 2023
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z f has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M 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 Z f 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M 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 Z f has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 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 M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Nikon Z f has a 36 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M. 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 M. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z f 50-204800
Canon EOS M 100-12800

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 M 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 Z f
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

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 M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z f 14
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z f and Canon EOS M 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 Z f weighs 710 gr (equal to 1.57 lb) which is 138% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z f 710 gr
1.57 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Nikon Z f vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z f and Canon EOS M, 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 M
Name Nikon Z f Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2023 2012
Release Date 2023-09-20 2012-07-23
MSRP 1999 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
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 BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 18 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 5
Image
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 50 - 204800 100 - 12800
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 M
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
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 273 31
Lens Mount Nikon Z

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 Z f
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2100000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type N/A Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 0
Photography features
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 14 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control No No
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z f
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 230 shots
Width 144 mm 109 mm
Height 103 mm 66 mm
Depth 49 mm 32 mm
Weight 710 gram 298 gram