EOS R8vs Lumix S5vs Nikon Z9
Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Entry — EOS R8 (2023): Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
Professional Video & Hybrid Shooting — Lumix S5 (2020): The S5 is an outstanding video camera that also takes excellent stills. 10-bit 4K/60p, dual native ISO and 6.5-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body is a compelling package. The contrast-detect AF is its main weakness vs Sony and Canon — but for controlled shooting it doesn't hold it back.
Professional Sports & Wildlife — Nikon Z9 (2021): The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
- You want full-frame image quality on a tight budget
- You shoot mainly in good light and can live without built-in stabilisation
- You primarily shoot stills with occasional video
Lumix S5 (2020)
- Videographers who need 10-bit colour science in a full-frame body
- Photographers who shoot video as a second discipline
- Studio photographers who want full-frame IBIS at a lower price
- L-mount system users building a versatile kit
Nikon Z9 (2021)
- You shoot professionally and need a camera body that handles everything without compromise
- You're a sports, wildlife, or commercial photographer who demands the absolute best
- You want a camera body that will remain state-of-the-art for the next decade
Quick take: The nikon z9 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the eos r8 is the most affordable; only the lumix s5, nikon z9 are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | Lumix S5 (2020) | Nikon Z9 (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £1,699 | £5,499 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 714g (body, battery, card) | 1340g body only |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Leica L-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
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