Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 5DS

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 5DS. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z9 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5DS is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 5DS 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.

** 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 Z9 has a 46 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:

Canon EOS 5DS has a 11 % larger resolution than Nikon Z9. 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 Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 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 Z9
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 Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 5DS can shoot up to 5 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 Z9 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.

Nikon Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 44% heavier than Canon EOS 5DS and its 930 gr (or 2.05 lb).

Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 5DS Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 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 Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Name	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Release Year	2021	2015
Release Date	2021-10-28	2015-02-06
MSRP	5500 USD	3699 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type	Full Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	8256 x 5504 pixels	8688 x 5792 pixels
Megapixels	46 MP	51 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 7	DUAL DIGIC 6
Image	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
ISO Range	32 - 102400	100 - 6400
White Balance Presets	9	8
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	6 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
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 Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	493	61
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 Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3.2”	3.2”
Screen dots	2088960	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	0.8x	0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution	3686400	N/A
Photography features	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Frames per second	30 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/32000 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	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 Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
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	Yes
Storage	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Memory Card	Compact Flash Express XQD	Compact Flash SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	Yes
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)	No
Remote Control	Yes (Via app)	Yes (Wired and wireless)
GPS	Yes Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z9	Canon EOS 5DS
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)	LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	740 shots	700 shots
Width	149 mm	152 mm
Height	150 mm	116 mm
Depth	91 mm	76 mm
Weight	1340 gram	930 gram