Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS 5DS

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z50 and Canon EOS 5DS. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z50 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5DS is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z50 were released 2019 and Canon EOS 5DS was released 2015. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z50 2019
Canon EOS 5DS 2015

Type of camera

Nikon Z50 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 5DS is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z50 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 5DS has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 Z50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 5DS 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 Z50 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5DS has 51 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Canon EOS 5DS 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792

Canon EOS 5DS has a 143 % larger resolution than Nikon Z50. 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 Z50 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon Z50 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z50 100-51200
Canon EOS 5DS 100-6400

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 Z50
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5DS

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z50 11
Canon EOS 5DS 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z50 and Canon EOS 5DS 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 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 107% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb
Canon EOS 5DS 930 gr
2.05 lb

Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS 5DS Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z50 and Canon EOS 5DS, 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 Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Name Nikon Z50 Canon EOS 5DS
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Release Year 2019 2015
Release Date 2019-10-10 2015-02-06
MSRP 859 USD 3699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 8688 x 5792 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 51 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL DIGIC 6
Image
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
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
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 209 61
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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 Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Frames per second 11 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
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 Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Wired and wireless)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS 5DS
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 700 shots
Width 127 mm 152 mm
Height 94 mm 116 mm
Depth 60 mm 76 mm
Weight 450 gram 930 gram