Nikon Z8 vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z8 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 500D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Nikon Z8 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 500D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z8 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 500D 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.

** 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 Z8 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 500D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon Z8 has a 202 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. 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 Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 500D. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS 500D has 100 to 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.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z8
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 500D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS 500D 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 Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 75% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Nikon Z8 vs Canon EOS 500D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z8 and Canon EOS 500D, 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 Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Name	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Release Year	2023	2009
Release Date	2023-05-10	2009-03-25
MSRP	3999 USD	1599 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
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	Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	8256 x 5504 pixels	4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels	46 MP	15,1 MP
Image Processor		DIGIC 4
Image	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
ISO Range	32 - 102400	100 - 12800
White Balance Presets	9	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses))	Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
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 Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	493	9
Lens Mount	Nikon Z See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF Canon EF-S 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 Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3.2”	3”
Screen dots	2088960	920000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	N/A	TFT color LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Electronic	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8×	0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	3686400	N/A
Photography features	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Frames per second	30 fps	3,4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/32000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	13 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	H.264 H.265	H.264
Video resolution	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Memory Card		SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
HDMI Output	No	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-In	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Yes (via app)	Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z8	Canon EOS 500D
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL15c	Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	340 shots	440 shots
Width	144 mm	129 mm
Height	119 mm	98 mm
Depth	83 mm	62 mm
Weight	910 gram	520 gram