In the case of selecting a camera, the sheer volume of various options might be overwhelming, especially when you’re a beginner and are not sure which brand to take a position in, or if all of the tech jargon goes straight over your head and also you struggle to make sense of all of it. It may be hard to know which cameras are higher for a certain sort of photography, and weighing up the professionals and cons of every model might be tricky.
To assist make things a bit easier, we’ll be comparing three of the very best cameras directly against each other, their different specs and the way they relate to real-world use based on our first-hand experiences with using each.
Today we’ll be comparing the Nikon Z8, Sony A7R V and the Canon EOS R5 to see how they’re similar, and the way they’re different, and we’ll be going into detail about each and who their respective specs and features may be best suited to, plus we have included a bunch of photos we have taken each each camera and pictures we have taken each camera during testing.Â
We have given each camera a radical testing and reviewed each of them individually, so now let’s take a look at how they stack up against each other.
An absolute behemoth in every respect, the Nikon Z8 is poised to be the go-to camera for professionals and enthusiastic amateurs with the budget.
The Sony A7R V builds on the ability of its predecessor with more stops of image stabilization and a brand new AI autofocus unit, but the huge 61MP sensor might be overkill for astrophotography.
Probably the greatest cameras in the marketplace for the time being, and possibly Canon’s finest ever technical achievement. A superlative, but very expensive package.
Specifications
Here we have listed a few of the key specs users search for when researching different cameras. While it isn’t a comprehensive list, we have narrowed it all the way down to all an important ones that astrophotographers are inclined to prioritize, in addition to specs that relate to other photography disciplines, too.
Header Cell – Column 0 | Nikon Z8 | Sony A7R V | Canon EOS R5 |
---|---|---|---|
Date first released | May 2023 | December 2022 | July 2020 |
RRP on release | $3999 | $3899 | $3899 |
Type | Full frame mirrorless | Full frame mirrorless | Full frame mirrorless |
Sensor type | Stacked CMOS | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Megapixels | 45.7 | 61 | 45 |
Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Canon RF |
ISO | 64-25,600 (expanded 32-102,400) | 100-32,000 (expanded 50 – 102,400) | 100-51,200 (expanded 50-102,400) |
Image stabilization | 6-stops | 8-stops | As much as 8-stops (with compatible lenses) |
Autofocus detection range | EV-7 to +17 (EV-9 to +19 with starlight view) | all the way down to EV-4 | all the way down to EV-6 |
AF points | 493 | 693 | 1053 |
Viewfinder | 3.2″ tilting | 3.2″ tilt & fully articulating | 3.2″ fully articulating |
Screen resolution | 2,088,960 dots | 2,100,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots |
EVF resolution | 3,686,400 dots | 9,440,000 dots | 5,760,000 dots |
Slowest shutter speed | 900 sec | 30 sec | 30 sec |
Continuous drive speed (frames per second) | 20FPS RAW, 30FPS JPEG, 60FPS 19MP JPEG, 120FPS 11MP JPEG | 7FPS RAW, 10FPS JPEG/Lossless RAW | 20FPS electronic shutter / 12FPS mechanical shutter |
Video resolution | 8K 60p / 4K 120p | 8K 25p / 4K 60p | 8K 30p / 4K 120p |
Storage | Single SD UHS-II and single CFexpress/XQD card | Dual UHS-II SD/CFexpress Type A slots | Single CFexpress Type-B card slot and single UHS-II SD card slot |
Weather sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery life (CIPA) | 340 shots | 530 shots | 320 shots |
Weight (inc battery) | 2.01 lb / 910g | 1.59 lb / 723g | 1.63 lb / 738g |
Dimensions | 5.67 x 4.69 x 3.27″ / 144 x 119 x 83 mm | 5.16 x 3.82 x 3.23″ / 131 x 97 x 82 mm | 5.43 x 3.84 x 3.46″ / 138 x 98 x 88 mm |
Similarities
These three cameras are sometimes pitted against one another as they’ve a good amount of similarities. For starters, all of them sit at a really similar price point, particularly on their respective releases. While the Canon R5 is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper now, it’s price remembering that it’s a rather older model than the opposite two. When it comes to resolution, the Nikon Z8 (45.7MP) and Canon R5 (45MP) are very similar, but Sony eclipses them each with a whopping 61MP stills resolution.
All three models have an analogous ISO range, particularly when expanded, although the Nikon Z8 just edges it. In addition they all have an analogous LCD screen resolution, although there are differences in functionality.
All three cameras have similar video specs — all being able to shooting 8K video, albeit barely different frame rates, even though it’s price noting that because the Canon R5 is barely older, there have been problems with overheating.
When it comes to weight, the Sony A7R V and Canon R5 are fairly similar, although, in practice, it won’t be too noticeable as there are only a couple of grams between them — the Sony being 723g and the Canon being 738g.
Differences
Sensor resolution
No two (or on this case, three) cameras are the identical, and these three options definitely have enough differences to make selecting between them harder than you would possibly think. If we’re talking megapixels, Sony comes out on top with 61MP in comparison with the Nikon’s 45.7MP and the Canon’s 45MP, nonetheless, the Nikon has a stacked CMOS sensor, which might often mean greater than the variety of megapixels it has.
In-body Image Stabilization
All three have image stabilization — the Nikon has 6 stops, the Sony has 8 stops and the Canon R5 has either 5 stops or 8 stops when paired with compatible lenses. But on the subject of continuous burst rates, the Nikon wins hands down, able to a whopping 120FPS (even though it does have limitations). When it comes to weight and size, the Nikon is the heaviest, with the Sony and Canon being fairly much like each other.
Autofocusing capability
With reference to autofocus, the Canon has essentially the most autofocus points, although, with the AI-based autofocus within the Nikon and Sony, you would argue that the variety of AF points doesn’t suggest as much. The Nikon Z8 can autofocus all the way down to EV-7, or EV-9 in starlight mode, the Canon EOS R5 can do EV-6, with the Sony able to EV-4. The Nikon Z8 can be able to a whopping 900 seconds minimum shutter speed, whereas the Sony and Canon can only do 30 seconds.
Battery life
The Sony has a better battery life, with 530 shots versus the Nikon’s 340 and the Canon’s 320, they usually all have different screens. We loved the Sony’s fully articulating screen because it tilted outwards in addition to to the side, although the Canon also has a daily articulating screen, and the Nikon screen is tilt only (although it will possibly tilt in all directions). In addition they all have different EVF (electronic viewfinder) resolutions, with the Sony being the clear winner with 9.44M dots, the Canon having 5.76M dots and the Nikon having 3.486M dots.
But that is just their specs on paper. We have thoroughly tested and reviewed each camera in their very own right, so let’s take a take a look at what we considered each camera individually to get a greater picture of why each one among these incredible cameras is price considering.
Reasons to purchase Nikon Z8
Probably the largest advantage the Nikon Z8 has over the opposite two cameras is its stacked sensor, giving it improved image quality, faster readout speeds and better resolution, amongst other things. This kind of sensor definitely helps with the camera image noise handling, which we were incredibly impressed with after we reviewed the Nikon Z8. We were blown away by its low-light capabilities, and the reliable (not to say, fast) autofocus can detect subjects easily in darker conditions, with its autofocus detection range dropping all the way down to as little as EV-7, which is best (or at the least equal) to quite literally every other camera we have tested. If that wasn’t enough, whenever you enable Starlight mode, it drops down even further to EV-9, which is just unheard of, and the photographs we got with it after we tested it out were unreal. In the case of low-light autofocus, the Sony A7R V and Canon EOS R5 just cannot compete.
We also liked that it has night vision mode, which dims the rear screen and electronic viewfinder and uses only red pixels to assist preserve night vision. The opposite two haven’t got this feature, although, you would just flip their fully articulating screens around in order that the screen is not on. It also has a maximum shutter speed of 900 seconds — that is quarter-hour! This makes the Nikon Z8 perfect for capturing star trails or pairing with top-of-the-line star trackers or best telescopes for super detailed deep-sky images.
Continuing with the ‘that is unheard of’ theme, the Nikon Z8 has a frankly insane maximum burst speed of 120FPS…with autofocus and tracking. But there is a ‘but’ — these files are only 11MP, not the total 45.7MP the camera is able to. Not to fret, though, it will possibly drop all the way down to 60FPS with a blackout during exposures, or all the way down to 30FPS with none blackout. All of those speeds can only be shot in JPEG, and when you want RAW images, you’ll need to settle with 20FPS (which is definitely still really good!).
One other feature we love that makes this camera stand out, particularly for astrophotography, is the button layout. We liked the button layout overall, however the ISO and exposure adjustment buttons sit right next to the shutter button, which we thought made the world of difference in having them inside easy reach when shooting at nighttime. With reference to image quality, we were mightily impressed with the insane amount of detail and edge-to-edge clarity in each stills and video.
Once we first had it in our hands we immediately knew it was an expert camera that meant business. It isn’t for the faint of heart, though, because it is greater and heavier than the Sony A7R V and Canon EOS R5. That said, many users may prefer a camera that feels chunkier within the hand. Overall we were very impressed with the construct quality, it felt sturdy and powerful while still being lighter than other flagship models.
Reasons to purchase Sony A7R V
So why must you select the Sony A7R V over the Nikon Z8 and the Canon EOS R5? Simply put, the Sony has a brand new AI-powered autofocus system that’s on one other level from the rest we have reviewed. The Nikon Z8 does have AI-assisted autofocus capabilities, but the brand new unit within the Sony is unlike the rest we have seen. It uses deep learning and Real-Time Recognition to predict how your subject goes to maneuver and may recognize a human’s eyes, head and major body parts, and it should also detect noses, necks, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. Once we reviewed the Sony A7R V, we tested the autofocus out on a pair of black cats (who’re notoriously difficult to photograph), and it followed their eyes through the frame flawlessly and switched to face and head tracking after they weren’t facing the camera. Nevertheless it’s not only humans and animals it will possibly detect, it also has subject recognition for cars, trains, planes, animals and insects.
In the case of image resolution, the Sony A7R V wins hands down. It builds on the sensor of its predecessor, giving a whopping 61MP of resolution, which is currently the best of any mirrorless camera in the marketplace. We were really impressed with the image quality, so if it’s pure detail and backbone you are going for, the Sony A7R V is the one to get.
We also raved concerning the functionality and flexibility of the LCD screen on the A7R V after we reviewed it. Not only does it tilt outwards like a daily tilt-only screen, however the screen can then flip out and fully articulates so you’ll be able to shoot in quite literally any angle or position you’ll be able to consider. This makes this camera an incredibly appealing option for vloggers and content creators, too. The LCD screen is an analogous resolution to the opposite two cameras, but on the subject of the EVF, the Sony wins hands down. The EVF on the Sony is a big 9.44 million dots (same because the Sony A1) which is nearly double that of the Canon and around 3x that of the Nikon. It was clear and vivid, and we much preferred using the EVF in comparison with the LCD screen.
We were also really impressed by the battery life on the Sony A7R V, which isn’t any surprise on condition that it’s the best of all three models we’re comparing here. Sony claims you’ll be able to get 530 shots per charge, and we tested it out over the course of 5 days within the Lake District in England and one other 5 days in Copenhagen, and though we weren’t shooting all day each day, we hardly needed to charge it in any respect.
If size and weight are vital aspects in your purchasing decision, then the Sony A7R V will likely be essentially the most tempting option as it is the smallest and lightest of all three. We thought it was incredibly comfortable to carry for longer periods and the grip is just the correct size to appeal to individuals with larger or smaller hands. Not to say, its small form factor makes it convenient to take traveling. Having reviewed a mess of Sony’s full-frame lenses, also they are surprisingly small and light-weight in comparison with the lenses from other manufacturers, which is something you furthermore may need to think about when you plan on using your camera for travel.
Reasons to purchase Canon EOS R5
If we’re looking purely at specs, then the Canon EOS R5 probably doesn’t stack up against the Nikon Z8 and Sony A7R V on paper. Nonetheless, that doesn’t suggest it doesn’t deserve its place on this fight. The tech world is continuously evolving, and the R5 is an older camera than the opposite two, so naturally, it isn’t going to have the most recent and most advanced technology out of the three.
That said, the Canon EOS R5 continues to be an incredibly impressive camera, and when you’re reading this text because you have already got a Canon and the alternative is between simply switching the body to the R5 and jumping ship entirely to an entire latest brand, then there are definitely reasons to decide on the Canon over the opposite two models. You could possibly argue that the R5 has stood the test of time greater than the Sony A7R V or the Nikon Z8, despite newer advancements in technology since its release back in 2020.
Although it doesn’t necessarily win out against the opposite two mammoths by way of specs, there’s not anything the Canon is at. Once we reviewed the Canon EOS R5, we loved its handling and ergonomics and were incredibly pleased with its autofocus performance — actually, that is one among the areas where it does win out. The Canon EOS R5 has 1053 AF points, whereas the Sony has 693 and the Nikon has 493. On the time of its release, it had top-of-the-line and fastest autofocus systems we might seen. Canon are also continuously improving their autofocus as time goes on, in order that’s something we could see within the R5 with future firmware updates.Â
One other totally valid reason to go for the Canon R5 is when you don’t necessarily need all of the bells and whistles on the Nikon Z8 or Sony A7R V and also you’re already invested within the Canon system. Although all three models were at a really similar price after they were first released, being the oldest camera out of the three, straight away the R5 is the most affordable by a couple of hundred dollars and is often on offer throughout various retail events all year long. We predict that unless you are a working skilled and also you purely shoot astrophotography or people/events, it might be a variety of hassle, not to say a variety of money to take a position in a wholly latest camera system plus a bunch of recent lenses when the Canon EOS R5 is definitely still a really impressive camera, even in any case this time.
Verdict
Winner | 2nd place | third place |
---|---|---|
Nikon Z8 | Sony A7R V | Canon EOS R5 |
★★★★★ | ★★★★½ | ★★★★½ |
Simply the very best camera in the marketplace for the time being, the Nikon Z8 is in a league of its own. | While the Nikon Z8 just pips it to the post, the Sony A7R V is essentially the most capable Sony camera yet. | Still one among Canon’s best cameras to this present day, the EOS R5 continues to be a implausible option when you don’t need the most recent tech. |
Having thoroughly tested and reviewed all three cameras, we expect the Nikon Z8 wins here. It’s an absolute beast in every aspect and can happily handle anything you throw at it with ease, and though it might not win in every little specs battle, we expect it definitely wins the war overall.
That said, we appreciate that purchasing a camera is an incredibly personal decision based on your individual needs and preferences, so without wanting to take a seat on the fence, we expect that any of those cameras would offer you with implausible results regardless.