Canon R8 vs Nikon Z5 Camera Comparison, Which Is Better?

[@michaelbell75]

Im primarily a Canon shooter but chose the Z5 last week over the R8. It was on sale for $997, which is a steal. It's not even close IMO. The Z5 has a bigger and better EVF, IBIS, an actual mechanical shutter that goes to 1/8000s, dual card slots, bigger and better battery, its weather sealed and its $300 cheaper. Canon should be ashamed for selling that stripped down and crippled R8 for $1500, should be about half that. Do better Canon.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing you thoughts about the cameras!

[@Stan_the_Belgian]

Af is light years ahead, great screen, newer sensor, many youngef people will disagree

[@abmstudio3678]

Video is much much better on canon

[@victorlim5077]

Amazing the Nikon Z5 does so well after 3 years. Image Quality still holds well. Great camera for stills.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, it really does have nice picture quality!

[@fjphoto23]

There have been firmware updates to the Z5. Not sure if this comparison took account of that.

[@RyanH0809]

I owned the Z5 for about a year and half. I sold it thinking that I would use that money to buy a ZF when it came out. After having spent some time with other cameras, I miss the Z5 dearly and I'm seriously considering buying it again. For reference, I currently own a Fujifilm X-T5 and have owned or shot with most every Fuji body since the X-T2. I own the Lumix S5ii and had the original S5 for about a year. The learning curve on Nikon's UI for things like AF, Auto ISO and specific photo modes was challenging for me, but after learning more about other systems, I see what I just needed to spend more time with it and gain the necessary muscle memory.

[@bradovard8657]

How does the autofocus of the Z5 compare with the X-T5. I have the X-T5 and am thinking picking up the Z5.

[@Beemrdon]

Yes and it's the same sensor that's in my D750. The more things change the more they stay the same.❤

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

With new firmware of 1.42 on the Nikon Z5, its focus tracking for moving objects and people in video is greatly improved and it sticks well. (just wondering which firmware was in this video for Z5). This is one of best budget cameras in FF. Both cameras have a few pros and cons. R8 should have had a full size battery. Nikon has Flat Profile which can be color graded to a degree, plus Z5 has 5 axis IBIS but you also electronic VR in menu to stabilize more, plus you can get the Z 24-200mm with VR in lens. All these 3 points helps stabilize the Nikon. Love to see a retest against R8, with these other options used for VR lens or digital VR added in menu along with mechanical IBIS. If you only capture video in HD than Z5 is fine (for no crop in video), plus its color is slightly better out of camera as you mentioned, however, can be adjusted in post. So in the end, as it is nearly a draw overall, depends which brand you want (plus some features like vari angle LCD which Canon has, Nikon only a tilt up and down screen). Without that larger battery in R8, I would rather get a R6 mark 1 for a few hundred more if it intended for pro video. For hobbyists or content creators of short videos, the R8 with its small battery is fine. Extra batteries are low cost.

[@MrSimonj1970]

Canon/Nikon/Sony/Fuji all make incredible cameras, we live in great times! I'm a Nikon user since 1985 and I love my Z6, but any of them would do me fine really. Nikon have always made the best lenses IMO, more important than the latest camera features.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Very true. Thanks for your comment!

[@papafrita96]

Great video! My biggest takeaway is that despite most people lauding Canon's color science I'm realizing that I much prefer the rendering of Nikon colors for skin tones and especially the red tones.

[@dexx2211]

I got the Z5 a few months ago in a black friday offer with the 24-70 lens . Coming from the D3500 the quality difrence is huge, i did some semiprofecional work(stills only) with it and didnt let me down

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad to hear you are happy with your Z5!

Sorry, but for most professionals and at half the price, the Z5 is a better option for photography and video. The truth is that the work we do lately is for social networks and the internet. We don't even need 4k. On the other hand, we always need a good battery and lenses at decent prices.

[@TheSlantedLens]

It really depends on the type of work you do if you need 4k

[@cliffordconklin9632]

Great video - great comparison. I think there were a couple of points where our human nature can't help but be subjective. In full transparency, I'm a Nikon user. There are probably two reasons for that, (1) I'm heavily invested in Nikon gear going back to the 1970s/1980s, and (2) ergonomics and operation. The two points I wanted to make was the mention of the joy stick. Clearly it is irksome to not have it on the Canon. I think this is key as for ergonmics plays a big part in my selection of a camera body and I'm glad you pointed it out. On the other hand, (I don't know this for a fact) but I would image Canon uses probably don't miss it. The other is the frames per second (and I see where someone posted, "... 4.5 FPS is definitely too slow for modern cameras ..." I would say that depends. I'm also not in the mindset of an entry-level camera user's perspective. As an example for me I shoot with the latest top 3 Nikon mirrorless camera bodies. As you know, one of those does 120 fps. I would have to go back and check but I doubt I've every used them for anything besides single shot. It's not that I don't use continuous but maybe once every 25,000 shots for a few shots. I guess what I'm trying to say, is our subjectiveness sometimes places emphasis on something that well, probably doesn't matter. Again, great comparison - well done!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great points. And for sports shooters that frames per second is huge but for a lot of still shooters it may not matter. Thanks for your comment!

[@ElementaryWatson-123]

Actually Z5 ($999) is much cheaper than R8 ($1500). Taking into account current discounts, Nikon Z6ii ($1700) and Sony A7iii ($1500) are much closer alternatives. Canon forces other manufacturers to lower their prices -- good for consumers.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, we saw that they dropped the price. Thanks for your comment!

[@augustingraves8929]

Your comparison for image stabilization is flawed as it only compares video stabilization. But most importantly, the Nikon Z5 has IBIS (in-body image stabilization) whereas the Canon R8 does not. It uses digital IS in video mode so that’s why your video stabilization results skewed towards the R8. You are comparing the R8’s digital IS to the Z5’s IBIS, and according to the Imaging Resource review, the R8 does crop the image to use the Digital IS (although they don’t mention what the numerical crop factor is).

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good point. Thanks for sharing!

[@Vemovemo1]

Huge difference here, having IBIS is Game changer. You can stabilize vídeo electronically on software.

[@Beemrdon]

​@@Vemovemo1The alternative name for electronic video stabilization is called cropping.

[@BrasilOO7]

Very good comparison with all relevant checkpoints! 👍I could not see any difference in the video autofocus test and I think that the Z5 does still a good job when the model is moving slowly. 4.5 frames is defintely too slow for modern cameras in my opinion. Have a great day!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good points. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@photolover6944]

You forgot to mention that the Nikon has in-body stabilization that the Canon doesn't have !

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good point. Thanks for sharing!

[@maeu59]

Any camera without ibis nowadays is a no go.

[@HR-wd6cw]

Overall a good review, however I woulid say that the Nikon Z5 probably gets the check for IBIS because it has IBIS for both video and stills, but the R8 only has digital IBIS that I'm aware of for video only (not stills; and it's digital, similar to how the non-IBIS Nikon cameras work). Second thing would be the noise. I believe the R8 uses a newer sensor design whereas the Z5 uses a 9 year old sensor. One other thing to note is that if you look at high ISO performance and read noise, the Canons tend to use noise reduction at lower ISOs so while the images do look cleaner, there may be a possible penalty here because they are either using scaling and/or noise reduction in the lower range (at around 1600 they are not), whereas the Z5 doesn't start upscaling until around 1600 ISO, but doesn't perform noise reduction at lower ISOs. If you check out PhotonsToPhotos and look at the read noise for both of these cameras, you'll see what's happening behind the scenes. To the aveage user this doesn't matter though.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@razinresto7629]

Have u update the z5 to latest firmware 1.4 which improve the AF significantly? Interested to know how z5 hold up

[@TheSlantedLens]

It was the latest firmware at the time that we filmed the comparison.

[@Stan_the_Belgian]

273 vs 4000+ is no contest...

[@RobNotANumber]

Got the Z5 due to being a stills guy. I knew that walking into it .. still happy. Glass is where I am focusing. As for FPS, I had the Nikon D200, and though it could do more FPS, I dropped it down to 3.5 FPS even with Birds or sports. Anticipation is key. Who wants to troll through thousands of photos really? ... unless you are paid by the hour

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great points. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Ashton351]

What lenses are you using with each? Did each camera have their firmware updates? (I.e., Nikon w/ v1.4?)

[@TheSlantedLens]

The cameras did have their firmware updates. We used 50mm 1.2 native lenses on both cameras.

[@hao0222]

Good comparison. Helps me a lot! thanks!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for your comment!

[@Blitz_Shorts]

Good video. I didn't even think Z5 would win on video specs. R8 is much better in video, 4k 60p uncropped in 1.5k body is outstanding. On stills Z5 is the better , if you don't shoot sports or action, which you will do with much better cameras (Z9, R3), believe me. One thing , you didn't mention , is IBIS in stills. Z5 has it, and it is a huge advantage for many shooters. Z5 price is almost 1k now. it hasn't been your mentioned price for a year now. Z5ii will be greater camera, with new AF tech and better video/fps, but nothing in the horizon so far. I think next year we will see it. Kudos for the video. and tnx to Canon R8 , Nikon will make a better Z5 in the near future, competence is always in favor of the customers.

[@TheSlantedLens]

True, they all keep getting better and better!

[@upload638]

@@TheSlantedLens So, I don't have an unlimited budget, but I can spend I need to in order to get where I want quality wise. I've never owned any cameras, but I want to get into macro photography and action shots of my dog, so I have been looking at Nikon Z7II, Canon R6 MKII, and these two, Canon R8 and Nikon Z5. I can't decide, this is nearly impossible to dive in because I feel like I am going to make a mistake on best choice for lens families, etc. The more I read and watch videos, the closer I get and your video helped a lot in me eliminating the Z5 for me. So, that at least gets me a bit of a smaller list and I might try the R8 to start with.

[@Blitz_Shorts]

@@upload638 Z6ii is also a great option to consider. great low light performer too. Z5 is great for macro photography, but not on good level for action. It will make good results, but you may miss the perfect moment. R8 has electronic shutter, which means many rolling shutter and bandings in your photo. Z7ii , R6ii are priced higher, though they are for a reason. I think budgedwise Z6ii is best for all around performance. It is basically Z6+Z5 with added features.

[@carloscipriani2438]

La Z5 fue recién actualizada y ahora tiene enfoque al ojo en video. Francamente, es muy veloz. Con el premium 50mm 1.8 S funciona fantásticamente. Y a nivel fotográfico tiene un rendimiento fabuloso. No conozco la Canon, que debe ser también excelente, pero me alegra ver otro vídeo comparativo en donde queda claro el poder sobrio de la Nikon. Por precio (sobre todo en Latinoamérica) y por sus prestaciones, la Z5 parece una opción muy inteligente.

[@TheSlantedLens]

It really is a nice camera and affordable!

[@MadEnglishTV]

Awesome video 😎

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment!

[@ioanaandreeva7751]

Hey! Can the canon R8 compete with the Sony a7iii? Would it be worth buying it over the Sony a7iii? Which should I buy canon r8 or sony a7iii? Answer me!

[@TheSlantedLens]

The best thing to do is go to a site like B&H and compare the specs of the two cameras. And super important is to go to a store or rental house where you can handle the cameras and see which you prefer. Good luck!

[@lorenschwiderski]

Nikon Z5 tilt only screen is a major plus in my view, especially in street photography.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you like the Nikon for your work. Thanks for sharing!

[@user-JM1967]

Nikon Z5 has Ibis. That's great!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and keep on clickin!

[@mostbvids8327]

the latest update of the z5 has amazing AF.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great to hear. Thanks for sharing that info!

[@neverforever1357]

This video confirms that for photographers, all the possibilities are almost at their maximum, even in old cameras, in new cameras they only improve video capabilities.

[@Households1234]

Love the Hasselblad shirt. Do you sell them?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Nope, I got it a while back and don't remember where.

[@mainmain5303]

great review. so professionally made. thank g that other guy is not there. he's a sly canon fanboy

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for the compliment and thanks for watching!

[@jameshart3879]

8:58 canon may have all those focus points but what's the point if you can only take 150 shots!!

[@davidtheys6000]

To me the only case a flipout screen is an advantage is when you are filming yourself, in every other case when you're behind the camera the Nikon is better to me. Because it's in line with the lens

[@TheSlantedLens]

That flip out screen works great when you are in tight spaces and there is no space to get behind the camera.

[@Beemrdon]

​@@TheSlantedLens...Z30 has a flip out for vloggers. Z5 was not intended for that.

[@morerx3104]

What z5 firmware in this test.?

[@TheSlantedLens]

It had the most recent firmware.

[@morerx3104]

Z 5 now 999 usd is very bang for the buck !

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, we saw that they just dropped the price. Amazing!

[@Beemrdon]

December 2024, still the same price 😢

[@Segata-Sanshiro]

Nikon wins easily general... Firmware-Update in Nikon and its very Close to Canon in autofocus

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@igg5589]

Comparing 2x price difference, conclusion - 2x price and newer is slightly better, amazing :)

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and keep on clickin!

[@pipedlplara4792]

Yes

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and keep on clickin!

[@ErnestoIbarra]

Nikon Z5 all the way!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your choice!

[@arthurlbn]

Nikon z7ii? Is there any vídeo?

[@TheSlantedLens]

We have not done a review on that one.

[@nbinhouse6801]

Nikon has already won the game since Z5 has ibis whereas r8 doesn't have it And of course, Dynamic Range.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@fangli]

I see the video and my decision is buying Canon RP

[@TheSlantedLens]

Hope you are happy with your purchase. Let us know how it goes!

[@sols9449]

Sharpness is on the lens.

[@TheSlantedLens]

True, the lens really matters!

[@shawketyalda7009]

Beautiful 👍👍👍📸👍📸👍👍👍

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@videojeroki]

Nikon made some nice 1.8 primes that would make the difference for me.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, they do have some really nice lenses. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Str8Stripping]

The ding noise blowing my ears off compared to the mic level 😢

[@TheSlantedLens]

Sorry! can't always be perfect. Most of the time.

[@unique93obr]

Nikon needs to release Nikon Z5II with better AF and better video... :)

[@TheSlantedLens]

Here's hoping for that! Thanks for watching!

[@Beemrdon]

12/24...I hear it's in the works for the first quarter 2025 release.

[@Bizon-q2u]

No wonder Canon is sharper when its 24-70 F2 lens is significantly more expensive than Nikon's 24-70 f4

I like Nikon’s trade-offs better than Canon’s. Everything else is minor niggles compared to lack of IBIS and only one card slot.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@jameshart3879]

Nikon: smokes on image quality, DR, shadow recovery, and you can actually shoot more than 200 shots on one battery The Slanted lens: CANON R8 AMAZING 🤦

[@CULmerde05]

Moi j ai les 2 marques z5 et R8 😊

[@TheSlantedLens]

Nice! Enjoy your cameras and keep on clickin!

[@jdelarosa89]

Even at 400iso, the piano keys on the canon look off.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your observation!

[@kenduejones]

🧢🧢

[@heberpraneeth9273]

wow she is gorgeous

[@BrasilOO7]

Yes, the Canon is! :-)

[@TheSlantedLens]

LOL. Hope you enjoyed the comparison as well.

[@workingwiththelight3119]

I like Nikon colours but lack of video features and great AF makes it totally not for me camera.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, the Nikon is stronger for a still photographer.

[@Beemrdon]

Try the Z 6 iii then

[@231swarup]

How much koney canon given for this review. As it clearly show nikon is much brighter and dynamic range is far better than canon

[@TheSlantedLens]

We are not sponsored by any camera company.

[@vahid-cr3ss]

Good Nikon❤

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@FPGVlog]

Z5 all the way

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@r.kphotography84]

Win ibs canon how???

[@TheSlantedLens]

It is just that it is a newer model. Let's see what the Z5 II brings.

[@wingofwinter888]

150 shot per battery? is that a pocket digital camera? in the business of killing their own product, no one can beat canon. it has superior autofocus, yeah but the camera out of battery LOL canon cutting so many things like the IBIS which is the z5 still has, the potentially budget cheap prosumer cam with dual sd card, and decent battery to at least trying to compete or offering the user some enjoyable time shooting.

[@theonlyoneKrishna]

Z5 👏

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@ThomazMartinez]

Yeah Nikons always had a bad highs recovery DR

[@TheSlantedLens]

It is pretty difficult for most digital cameras.

[@pavelzemanek]

Canon has natural colors. Nikon totally overshoots the colors.

[@bradovard8657]

I think it depends which picture controls you use. I actually really like Canon’s standard picture setting but foliage often appeared too magenta to me. Nikon is very accurate with the standard picture control but depending on the model, might need saturation adjustment. The D7500 was crazy saturated out of the box.

[@murph6547]

@@bradovard8657you mean raw file are oversaturated out of camera or jpeg ?

[@bradovard8657]

In my case RAW and JPEG because I always use the camera brand software so I get the same color as the JPEG. I guess my opinion on the color is probably irrelevant for a RAW shooter using Lightroom.

[@himalayareaders]

Fairly well compared.👍

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you for watching the video!

[@stmsaiya]

No ibis on canon R8 only video stabilizer , it really sucks and it is so expensive. i think r7 is much better .even a cheesy micro 4/3 cameras have 7 stops of ibis . I still think for me nikon won because it has ibis and 2 memory cards slots and better quality colors for stills . For video always canon is good at. Canon should drop the price to 800$ for entry level full frame .it Is better to save money and buy a used canon r6 or sony a7riii or z5

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the cameras.

[@77dris]

R8 is soooo much better for just $200 more

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, the R8 has the benefit of newer technology. It all changes so fast!

[@Blitz_Shorts]

500$

[@panographiximageservices3147]

The z5 has ibis, the r8 doesn’t.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing that tip.

[@momentsbyron]

Those annoying small ears where you put the annoying flapping triangle for strap is often used as an anchor point to secure a camera when using a camera cage 😂😊

[@MSaFuVaN64]

You always take down canon camers

[@TheSlantedLens]

We love Canon here. I have an R and will be buying the R6 II soon. Canon is sometimes a bit slow to open up features.

[@drbeardo6960]

R8 First curtain: 14 Bit RAW Electronic Shutter: 12 Bit RAW with Banding at extreme stress

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and keep on clickin!

[@serhatbartingever9242]

Canon perfect

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and sharing your preference.

[@龔秀之]

I BUY Z5 NOW

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good luck with your purchase!

[@pjc3163]

What's a pound? ;)

[@r.kphotography84]

Canon win

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for sharing your preference!

[@edowijaya8603]

Canon really have bad colors.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Nikon does have better color!

[@MSaFuVaN64]

Your not 100% honest reviewer

[@TheSlantedLens]

We try to be completely neutral. It usually means both camera owners are not happy.

[@stevebouvier2407]

Flippy screen is NOT and advantage for photography!