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Let’s compare the Nikon Z5 II vs Canon R8, We have compared the two best entry-level cameras on this page; the first part of the comparison is dedicated to ” Best camera for still shooters,” and the 2nd part is the “best camera for Video shooters”. Now, let’s explore the content.

Table of Contents for Photography Part

• • Best Still Photography Camera
  • Handling and Ergonomics
  • Photography Comparison
  • Image Quality Test
  • Image Stabilization
  • Autofocus
  • Verdict and Conclusion / Best Camera for Photographers

🔎 Table of Contents: Video Capabilities Comparison

• 🎞️ Video Frame Rates
• 🎥 Sensor-Shift IBIS in Video
• 🎨 Codecs and Color Depth
• 📊 Waveform and RED LUTs
• 🔊 Audio and Connectivity
• 🔋 Battery Life and Special Features
• 🌙 Low-Light Performance
• 👥 Suitability for Different User Types
• ✅ Conclusion

Best Camera for Photographers

Canon R8 is a lightweight full-frame camera weighing approximately 450 grams, whereas Nikon is a bit heavy in your hand with 700+ grams. But the Nikon build is more like a professional camera, not an entry-level design like we have in the Canon R8, and we have a single card slot in the Canon R8 camera. We have to add our batteries in the same card slot like we have to do in the entry-level cameras, but in the Nikon Z5 Mark 2 camera we have dedicated dual card slots and we have to insert our battery in the battery compartment. They are not mixed.

Handling and Ergonomics

Now both cameras are made by DSLR giants, great camera makers of all time, so the hand grip of both cameras and how the viewfinder is placed is very correctly done, so neither of the cameras will give you discomfort or hand pain while you are using them for a longer period of time.

Limited availability of Canon full-frame lenses in Canon RF Mount – The problem begins when you start looking for different variety of lenses as per your requirement and specific needs, then there is a huge possibility that some of the Canon lenses will ultimately go out of your budget and this may create a level of frustration that you have to deal with whenever you start searching for your favourite lenses. The big reason behind this is Canon’s RF mount restriction on their third-party lenses. And when I am creating this article, none of the third-party lens makers have started creating full-frame lenses for Canon RF Mount.

Photography Comparison

The Canon R8 camera uses a  24.5MP BSI CMOS Full-frame sensor, and the Nikon Z5 II camera uses a 24.2MP FSI CMOS Fullframe sensor. So, technically and even in samples we have seen and witnessed that the BSI CMOS sensor produces better low-light images with less noise, so if we compare both, we will see one stop of better low-light performance from Nikon Z5 II.

At the very same time, we also have some advantages associated with Canon’s sensor, Canon’s research and development team has done their task very beautifully, and despite being an FSI CMOS sensor, they have updated the bus structure inside the sensor, and the readout speed of the sensor has been upscaled to 14.5ms. Whereas the Nikon Z5 II readout speed is 22ms.

Image Quality Test

Nikon Z5 II camera uses a full frame BSI CMOS sensor and in the low light test you can see the camera is able to extract 1 to 2 stops better performance than the Canon R8 at 102400 ISO range.
And that’s not only limited to 1 or 2 stops of updated low light performance since the camera also features sensor shift-based stabilization mechanism which is effective up to 7.5 stops, so the camera also allows you to use shutter speed at least 4 to 5 stops slower without any issues.
Nikon uses the same advanced image stabilization system that we have seen in the Nikon Zf. You can link your autofocus points with the camera’s VR, that will help you to get a true 7.5 stops of IBIS.

So if we combine all these factors—BSI CMOS sensor and 7.5 stops of sensor shift image stabilization—then the Nikon Z5 Mark II camera becomes the best camera for low light or handheld photography.

Now in the base ISO range, we can witness a very little bit of difference, but it’s still there—it exists. And the difference is the presence of optical low-pass filter inside Canon R8, and due to that, the details that we are getting, the words that we are reading, look a bit faded—only by a fraction—compared to Nikon, where we do not have any low-pass optical filter over the sensor and that’s why we are getting slightly better and clearer images.

Nikon camera not using a low-pass filter from the DSLR era, so if you want to do research, start researching entry-level DSLR models like ” Nikon D5600 without optical low filter,” and so on.

Image Stabilization

Nikon Z5 Mark II camera features 7.5 stops sensor-shift image stabilization system which helps to capture your creation with clear shots even in extreme low light environments. We also have electronic (with crop) image stabilization in video, so in video you get enhanced image stabilization support of mechanical as well as electronic.

In Canon R8, we do not have any sensor-shift image stabilization support. Yes, you can use OIS lenses which roughly work up to 4.5 stops to support your handheld shooting. In video mode, you do get EIS support with crop.

Autofocus

• Nikon Z5 II: Features a total number of 273-point hybrid AF system, but now the sensor is supported by EXPEED 7 image processor loaded with the same AI AF as we have seen in Nikon Z8. Due to the AI algorithm, the camera can track and predict the movement of 9 different types of subjects, which include human face and eye, pet’s face and eye as well as it also features a dedicated bird eye AF mode for wildlife shooters.
• Canon EOS R8: Canon R6 Mark II 24mp DPAF sensor and Number of focus points, 4897; Number of cross-type focus points, 1053. Canon is working on HYBRID AF sensors and DPAF sensor tech, from the DSLR era. Their camera does have superior autofocus tracking performance without a doubt.

So either you use any of them, none of them will disappoint you, but even if some asks me about the best Camera for AF. Due to the faster readout speed of the Canon R8 sensor, the overall response time becomes fast, and in a lab environment, text Canon will show up with better tracking performance.

Burst Shooting

• Nikon Z5 II: Features continuous shooting speed up to 11fps (mechanical shutter) and 30fps (electronic shutter, JPEG only).  So, images are highly usable up to 11 FPS since,e as we all know, the mechanical shutter overrides the sensor readout speed, so if ur using the camera up to 11 FPS, free from rolling shutter effect.
• Canon EOS R8: Does not have a full mechanical shutter, it’s limited to EFCS and Electronic shutter, provides max 6fps (electronic first curtain) and an impressive 40fps (electronic shutter). The higher electronic burst rate makes it superior for action and sports photography.

Sensor Shift Image Stabilization

Nikon Z5 Mark II camera features 7.5 stops sensor-shift image stabilization system, You can use shutter speed Lower up to 4-5 Stops than as per the requirement of the situation, which helps to capture your creation with clear shots even in extremely low light environments. We also have electronic (with crop) image stabilization in video, so in video you get enhanced image stabilization support of mechanical as well as electronic.

In Canon R8, we do not have any sensor-shift image stabilization support. Yes, you can use OIS lenses which roughly work up to 4.5 stops to support your handheld shooting. In video mode, you do get EIS support with crop.

High Resolution Pixel Shift Mode: It’s a part of the Nikon  IBIS system, and it allows you to capture 96 Mo of High-resolution images, But you have to use tripod for this mode, and the images are later processed by Nikon NX software.

Viewfinder and Screen

• Nikon Z5 II: 3000 NITS Brightness in EVF, the 3.69 Mdot resolution, the EVF now has brightness scaled up to 3000 Nits, which helps a photographer to easily capture a shot without any screen visibility issues, which generally happens in bright sunlight, and a 3.2-inch, 2.1 M-dot fully articulated touchscreen.
• Canon EOS R8: Limited to 2.36 M-dot EVF (0.7x magnification) and a 3.0-inch, 1.62 M-dot fully articulated touchscreen.

Verdict and Conclusion / Best Camera for Photographers

For Photographers

• Action/Sports Photographers:  The Canon R8 tops with 40 FPS electronic shutter and faster sensor readout speed. Also, we have to note that the R8 lacks of full mechanical shutter, and with the help of EFCS shutter, the max continuous speed we will be getting is 6 FPS. Nikon Z5 II uses a full mechanical shutter and a MAX continuous shooting speed up to 11 FPS with mechanical (RAW)and up to 30 FPS with electronic, so if ur love to have the MAX speed possible and rolling shutter effect doesn’t bother you then you should go with Canon otherwise,e with Nikon up to 14 FPS
• Landscape/Low-Light Photographers: Nikon Z5 II camera features 7.5 Stops, IBIS, and better low-light performance due to the presence of a 24 MP BSI CMOS sensor.
• Wedding/Event Photographers: The Nikon Z5 II stands out with dual card slots for backup, longer battery life, and a robust build, ensuring reliability during long events.
• Travel Photographers: The Canon EOS R8 wins with its 461g weight and compact size, and uses the OIS lens, it’s good to go like 28-70mm F2.8 OIS, but in Z5 II its 700gm camera but features IBIS, so you can pair non-IBIS lenses with ease.

Video Features Comparison Table

Video Frame Rates

Canon R8 offers an amazing advantage over the Nikon Z5 Mark II camera in terms of video frame rates. If you compare the two, Canon is able to record 4K UHD at 60fps using 6K oversampling without crop. Nikon Z5 II does record 4K 60fps video, but with 1.5x crop.
The Canon R8’s standout feature is its slow-motion capability at 180fps in Full HD, offering more creative options for dynamic content.
So if you need uncropped 4K 60fps video from your camera, then without a doubt Canon R8 should be the choice for you.

Sensor-Shift IBIS in Video

Nikon provides sensor-shift image stabilization in video, and when you pair the Nikon camera with VR lenses it becomes more effective. EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) option is also available which adds more stability over the mechanical IBIS.
Canon R8 remains limited to electronic stabilization in video mode, and we don’t have any mechanical sensor-shift image stabilization system inside it.

So for handheld shooting, it’s highly recommended to have a camera like the Nikon Z5 II. While in the case of Canon R8, you have to get a proper gimbal with OIS lenses.

Codecs and Color Depth

Both cameras support up to 10-bit color depth in H.265 (HEVC) and H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) formats. But as we all know, the dynamic range of Canon’s 24-megapixel FSI CMOS sensor is limited to 13.7 stops. So it will be producing a bit limited dynamic range when compared to the 15.5 stops of Nikon Z5 II’s 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor.

What does it mean to you? It clearly means that you have to work under proper lighting conditions to get the maximum output from the Canon R8 camera. Other than that, for low-light environments, the Z5 II sensor is more suitable since it’s also backed by IBIS, making it more convenient for handheld recording.

Waveform and RED LUTs

Now this section will be relevant for professionals only. If you are working in color grading and love to apply RED LUTs over your footage, then Nikon Z5 II does have 4 preloaded RED LUTs inside it.
Moreover, you also get a waveform monitor instead of just a histogram monitor like we generally get in Canon R8. The waveform monitor helps us to evenly expose the entire scene more properly and accurately than the histogram.

Audio and Connectivity

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Both cameras feature dual 3.5 mm jacks — one for the microphone and the other for the headphone port for monitoring audio.
The interesting part is that the Nikon Z5 II camera now features 24-bit 4-channel audio support while recording in analog, and when you’re recording in MP4 format, you get 16-bit audio support from the camera.
In Canon R8, we only have 16-bit audio support.
Connectivity is similar, with HDMI Type-A (mini) outputs for external monitors or recorders, making both suitable for studio setups.

Battery Life and Special Features

The battery life of the Nikon is slightly longer since you are getting approximately 780 shots as per the CIPA standard. Specifically in video, we are getting 2+ hours of recording time at 4K 30fps.
In Canon R8, we have a smaller battery and compact body, so the overall recording time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, due to the battery limitations.

Low-Light Performance

Nikon Z5 II’s BSI CMOS sensor as well as 7.5 stops of sensor-shift image stabilization, are the two main factors that will allow you to capture crisp and clear shots in uncontrolled lighting environments.
Even if you are doing handheld shots, this camera will help you a lot more than the Canon — without a doubt.
So if you are a wedding cinematographer, think twice before investing. Not only is there no IBIS in the Canon camera, but the OIS lenses for Canon are also costly.

Suitability for Different User Types

• Content Creators: …Content creators who mostly use their camera on a gimbal and love to have a camera with higher frame rates like uncropped 4K 60fps or Full HD 180fps — especially for shooting dance videos or creating slow-motion reels — will find the Canon R8 more suitable.Pair it with a gimbal like DJI RS Mini 3 and high-quality Canon OIS prime lenses like 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm, and you’re good to go.
• Handheld Vloggers: …For handheld vloggers, we highly recommend going with the Nikon Z5 Mark II since this is the only camera that gives you mechanical image stabilization up to 7.5 stops.You will also get EIS support, which helps get clear handheld shots. This camera also features a BSI sensor that records clean video in low light.So, for handheld shooters, Nikon Z5 II is highly recommended — even if you don’t like the look of the camera, the output will speak for itself.

• Talking Head Video Creators: …Both cameras are excellent for talking-head videos since sensor-shift image stabilization is not needed in such scenarios.At the same time, when you are recording in a room, office, or studio setup with controlled lighting, the sensor type becomes less critical. All you need is a good Canon prime lens, and you’re good to go.So, if you wish to get the Canon R8, go ahead. Otherwise, the Nikon Z5 II is still an all-rounder.

• Wedding Cinematographers: ..The best camera for wedding cinematographers is the Nikon Z5 II since it offers sensor-shift image stabilization and a BSI CMOS sensor for better low-light performance.This will help ensure camera stability even when your gimbal fails or you run out of batteries. In such emergency scenarios, you can even shoot handheld.

• Reels Makers: …If you create reels and mostly use your camera on a tripod, then the Canon R8 is more recommended since it can record uncropped 4K 60fps video and Full HD video at 180fps.Technically, the R8 is faster and hence more usable for creating slow-motion sequences.But if you shoot your content handheld, then it’s highly recommended to go with the Nikon Z5 II.

Conclusion

Both cameras are excellent at their price points.
But the Nikon Z5 II has a wider approach due to the presence of a BSI CMOS sensor, sensor-shift image stabilization (IBIS) up to 7.5 stops — which can be linked with autofocus points — and, above that, we get a completely open lens mount to choose from a wide range of lenses at various price points.

The Canon R8 offers uncropped 4K 60fps video and Full HD 180fps slow motion, which is a unique offering. But it has limited dynamic range, lower low-light performance due to the FSI sensor, and the absence of sensor-shift stabilization.
So, its features — along with its limitations — make the Canon R8 ideal for a specific type of audience, but not for everyone.

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