EOS RPvs Z5
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry Full-Frame Stills Photography — EOS RP (2019): An affordable gateway into the RF system. The RP makes sense as a stepping stone camera — if you're committed to Canon RF glass, this is the cheapest full-frame body to buy those lenses for. Just manage expectations on video and battery life.
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Who should buy what
EOS RP (2019)
- Canon users who want to start investing in RF glass affordably
- Stills photographers who shoot primarily in good light
- Anyone coming from a Canon DSLR wanting the RF system at low cost
- Travel photographers who prioritise compactness over video specs
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Quick take: The eos rp has the highest resolution at 26mp; the eos rp is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS RP (2019) | Z5 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £999 |
| Sensor | 26.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 26.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/24p (with 1.7× crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, 4779 manually selectable positions | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | IBIS — up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps mechanical | 4.5fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) — very limited | ~470 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 485g (body, battery, card) | 590g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 85.0 × 70.0mm | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF-mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS RP | Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with EOS RP
Camera family history