Canon EOS R3vs Nikon Z8vs Nikon Zf
Canon
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
From £5999
Best for Sports & photojournalism professionals
View Canon EOS R3
Which should you buy?
Sports & Photojournalism Professionals — Canon EOS R3 (2021): The pinnacle of Canon's mirrorless lineup for speed — Eye Control AF and 30fps burst in the most rugged body Canon has ever produced.
Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
Street & Travel Photography — Nikon Zf (2023): Full-frame performance in a stunning retro body — the Zf's 8-stop IBIS and gorgeous design make it uniquely compelling.
Who should buy what
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
- You shoot sport, motorsport, wildlife, or news at a professional level
- You need Canon's most reliable and fastest autofocus available
- You need extreme weather sealing for demanding shooting conditions
Nikon Z8 (2023)
- You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
- You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
- You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9
Nikon Zf (2023)
- You want full-frame quality in a compact, beautiful camera you'll genuinely love carrying
- You appreciate analogue-inspired design alongside modern digital performance
- You shoot street, travel, or lifestyle and want a camera that feels special to use
Quick take: The nikon z8 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the nikon zf is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Canon EOS R3 (2021) | Nikon Z8 (2023) | Nikon Zf (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,999 | £3,999 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 45.7MP | 24.5MP |
| Video | 6K RAW, 4K/120p, 1080p/180p | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 4K/30p oversampled, FHD/120p, N-Log, 10-bit |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye Control AF | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | Phase-detect 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | 6-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS, 8.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 12fps mechanical | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 620 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) | ~380 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1015g body only | 910g body only | 710g with battery |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 142.6 × 87.2mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm | 144.0 × 103.0 × 49.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 120fps | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF | Nikon Z-mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type B | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD | Single SD UHS-II slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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