The year-old Nikon Z5 II is still streets ahead of Canon's new EOS R8 Mark II — and it's the entry-level full-frame camera I’d buy

Canon EOS R8 Mark II Nikon Z5 II Canon's EOS R8 Mark II is here, with a fresh new look that's inspired by the world's leading camera manufacturer's heritage, and finished off with a "modern twist".

<![CDATA[ <article> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_versus" data-id="a5e2825c-b11c-11f1-9b3e-0947d54945c9"> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Canon </div> <div class="featured__title">EOS R8 Mark II</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_versus" data-id="a5e282d4-b11c-11f1-8253-212114371f6c"> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Nikon</div> <div class="featured__title">Z5 II</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <div class="stars__reviews"><span itemprop="reviewRating" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Rating" class="chunk rating"><span class="icon icon-star"> </span><span class="icon icon-star"> </span><span class="icon icon-star"> </span><span class="icon icon-star"> </span><span class="icon icon-star half"></span><meta itemprop="bestRating" content="100.0" /><meta itemprop="worstRating" content="0.0" /><meta itemprop="ratingValue" content="90" /></span></div> <p></p> </div> </div> </div><p>Canon's <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/canon-eos-r8-ii-isnt-the-retro-camera-that-fans-expected-the-full-frame-upgrade-instead-has-a-modern-twist-thats-giving-me-strong-nikon-and-sony-vibes">EOS R8 Mark II is here, with a fresh new look</a> that's inspired by the world's leading camera manufacturer's heritage, and finished off with a "modern twist". The resemblance to Canon's analog SLRs such as the T80 or AE-1 is faint, but in any case the new model is certainly a decent upgrade of the EOS R8, adding image stabilization, a multi-controller, and various performance and design improvements. </p><p>When I pored over the specs and pricing of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/canon-eos-r8-mark-ii-review">EOS R8 Mark II during my hands-on</a>, however, a surprising reality came into sharp focus: <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/nikon-z5-ii-review">Nikon's year-and-a-bit-old Z5 II</a> remains highly competitive <em>and </em>it costs less than Canon's latest entry-level full-frame mirrorless model. </p><p>If you're considering your first <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-full-frame-camera">full-frame camera</a> and are not tied to Canon or another system, you should totally read on to find out more about the new EOS R8 Mark II, and how it fares against our <a href="https://www.techradar.com/cameras/mirrorless-cameras/the-nikon-z5-ii-camera-of-the-year-2025">Camera of the Year 2025 winner</a>, the Nikon Z5 II. </p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-1-sensor"><span>1. Sensor</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Both feature a 24MP full-frame sensor</strong></li><li><strong>Both sensors are equipped with image stabilization, rated up to 7.5EV</strong></li></ul><p>This section is going to be straightforward: both cameras have a full-frame 24MP sensor that's equipped with image stabilization (IBIS) rated up to 7.5EV. </p><p>Besides nuances in how each camera handles color and noise, and personal preferences, the image quality will be pretty similar. Having said that, I've historically found Canon's image stabilization to perform better than Nikon's. </p><ul><li><strong>Sensor winner: Tie</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/68b6JZAoXn2cbiYZ5v4wVc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fKvwkHrEjzLtNbhW5QUcLP-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-2-video"><span>2. Video</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Both shoot 4K video up to 60fps, but the Z5 II has a 1.5x crop</strong></li><li><strong>Both shoot 4K 30fps with 10-bit color depth from the sensor's full width, the Z5 II shoots 12-bit RAW</strong></li><li><strong> 1080p slow motion recording up to 180fps (EOS R8 Mark II) and 120fps (Nikon Z5 II)</strong></li><li><strong>Color profiles for video; new 'filmtones' for EOS R8 II, well-regarded RED profiles for Z5 II</strong></li></ul><p>There's much more to unpack and compare regarding each camera's video features. Both can shoot 4K video at 30fps with 4:2:2 10-bit color depth from the full width of the sensor, and up to 60fps at this resolution, although at this frame rate there's a 1.5x crop in the Z5 II. </p><p>The Nikon camera, however, is the only one that can shoot 12-bit internal RAW video, which certainly gives it the quality edge for users who want greater tonal depth and editing latitude, and who don't mind the larger file sizes. </p><p>Slow motion recording is also possible in 1080p, but again the EOS R8 Mark II has the frame rates edge — it can shoot 6x slow motion (180fps) to the Z5 II's 4x slow motion (120fps). </p><p>There's no shortage of color profiles for each camera, either. There's each company's version of a gradable, flat Log profile (C Log and N-Log) and Rec 709, while Canon has introduced two new 'filmtones' looks and the Nikon Z5 II features a RED RAW profile. Each can link with a companion app to import custom profiles, too. Users with either camera should have no issues getting a style they like. </p><p>Both camera's video recording is supported by powerful autofocus and image stabilization, making smooth and sharp run-and-gun filming a distinct possibility. The EOS R8 Mark II features a tally lamp to indicate when recording is active, but the Z5 II offers dual SD card slots for overflow / backup storage, whereas the Canon camera just has the one slot. </p><p>There are distinct advantages for each camera — and more besides that I haven't got into here — and as such it's tricky to call an outright winner in this category. </p><ul><li><strong>Video winner: Tie</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2ep6BTSDDvNTo29wctLYob-1920-80.jpg" alt="Side profile of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8dde3D3EGvtoAvfkvLPGvN-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><div data-widget-type="multimodelreview" data-model-name="Canon EOS R8 Mark II,Nikon Z5 II"></div><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-3-design"><span>3. Design</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Canon EOS R8 Mark II: 546g body (with battery and card), not weather resistant, single card slot</strong></li><li><strong>Nikon Z5 II: 700g body (with battery and card), weather resistant mag alloy, dual card slot</strong></li></ul><p>The EOS R8 Mark II is the guinea pig for Canon's new design. It forgoes the sweeping curves we've come to associate with Canon camera, in favor of straight, angular lines and a pronounced viewfinder bump that are "inspired by Canon's heritage". In this sense, it actually has more in common with the Nikon camera than previous Canon models. </p><p>Beyond the looks, the cameras are roughly the same size, but the EOS R8 Mark II is notably lighter at 546g. The quality of its buttons, controls and body have a much more entry-level feel to them, whereas the Z5 II feels more like a level up. The Z5 II feels like the more robust of the two, plus it's officially noted as weather resistant whereas the EOS R8 Mark II is not. The gulf in quality is compounded by the displays...</p><ul><li><strong>Design winner: Nikon Z5 II</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CzhjL9sN9xDdx3D5EwcJuc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Top of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands, 24-105mm lens attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z4ju4xUFUZKPH3coWXS3cc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Memory card door of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BFgTMEhxBhKDR7JJLrvrSP-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FGv4EYQFKeJzw9itfaNKVP-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-4-displays"><span>4. Displays</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Canon EOS R8 Mark: 3.0-inch 1.62m-dot vari-angle LCD and 0.39-inch 2.36m-dot EVF</strong></li><li><strong>Nikon Z5 II: 3.2-inch 2.1m-dot vari-angle LCD and 0.5-inch 3.69m-dot EVF</strong></li></ul><p>Put simply, the Nikon Z5 II's LCD screen and EVF displays are higher-specced than the EOS R8 Mark II's, despite the camera arriving almost 18 months earlier. </p><p>Both screens are vari-angle, so they can be pulled out to the side of the camera and tilted for low-level shooting / rotated for selfies. The Z5 II's display is slightly larger at 3.2-inches to the Canon's 3.0-inches, and it has a higher resolution, although the pixel density is roughly the same. </p><p>I've used both cameras separately, but can attest to the superior quality of the Z5 II's EVF – it's physically bigger, has more pixels, higher magnification, and is brighter — in short, a more immersive display. This category is an easy win for the Z5 II. </p><ul><li><strong>Displays winner: Nikon Z5 II</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ydSSqmXCdTuuhXJMPuGwjb-1920-80.jpg" alt="Rear of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table, screen flipped out" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GoVyqnHWcTMTPJMmnvETBc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Rear of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II, in user's hands" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yyRo8CMF8vDk5yVwz5Sp9P-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VotmYT5uuw5JVbsEXTbwoN-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-5-performance"><span>5. Performance</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Canon EOS R8 Mark: 220-shot (VF) / 340-shot (LCD) battery life, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 40fps with pre-capture</strong></li><li><strong>Nikon Z5 II: 340-shot (VF) / 350-shot (LCD) battery life, Hybrid phase detection AF, 30fps with pre-capture</strong></li></ul><p>If you prefer using a viewfinder, then the battery life of the Z5 II is much better than the EOS R8 Mark II, although the playing field is somewhat levelled when using the LCD. Neither camera has a particularly impressive battery life, but both can be recharged on the go, via USB-C. </p><p>Both also have excellent autofocus performance, with subject tracking and detection for humans, animals and vehicles. I haven't directly compared the performance of each camera, but they do inherit autofocus systems from pricier models that I have tested at length. Canon's 'Register People' mode is super handy for prioritizing specific people in crowded scenes — and you can store up to 10 faces at any one time. </p><p>Canon improved autofocus sensitivity in low light down to -7.5EV in its second-gen EOS R8, but the Nikon camera was already more sensitive, being rated to -10EV.</p><p>For outright burst shooting speeds, Canon has the edge — it's capable of up to 40fps, compared to 30fps for the Nikon. However, neither are true sports cameras in the sense that once the buffer is full, they will slow up quicker than high-end models. The Z5 II has both a mechanical and electronic shutter, while the Canon model only has the latter. </p><ul><li><strong>Performance winner: Tie</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L54RgiWgYRXxhnpXTmqSec-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table, with grip attached" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RTztDBvqZHT5UbrBZb9D4P-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-6-price-and-availability"><span>6. Price and availability</span></h3><ul><li><strong>Canon EOS R8 Mark II announced on Sep 16, 2026, for $1,899 / £1,729 / AU$2,529</strong></li><li><strong>Nikon Z5 II was released on April 3, 2025 for $1,699 / £1,599 / AU$2,699, but the price has since dropped</strong></li></ul><p>Canon's EOS R8 Mark II has only just been announced at the time of writing, and its sales start date is October 20. It will cost $1,899 / £1,729 / AU$2,529 body only, or £2,119.99 / AU$2,859 with the budget 24-105mm F4-7.1 kit lens / $2099 with the 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens in the US. Naturally, there are no price cuts yet. </p><p>Nikon's Z5 II, meanwhile, was released almost 18 months ago, and at list price was approximately 10% cheaper in the US and UK, but a little more in Australia — so no huge difference. However, it has since come down in price, and that margin has increased. Like the Canon model, it's available in a kit with a 24-105mm F4-7.1 lens, but there are other good-value kits on sale, including with the 24-200mm travel zoom. </p><ul><li><strong>Price winner: Nikon Z5 II</strong></li></ul><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8emEsEgvwTTCYZpRKWRjKc-1920-80.jpg" alt="Canon EOS R8 Mark II on a wooden table" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Tim Coleman</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ctJPZsr6RiKgNJLW2wmUVP-1920-80.jpg" alt="Nikon Z5 II product shot" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Alex Whitelock</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h2 id="canon-eos-r8-mark-ii-vs-nikon-z5-ii-early-verdict">Canon EOS R8 Mark II vs Nikon Z5 II: early verdict</h2><p>As entry-level full-frame cameras, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II and Nikon Z5 II share many key features, including things like a 24MP full-frame sensor with image stabilization, 4K video recording and powerful autofocus. </p><p>There are specific features unique to each model that stand out, but not enough to swing the balance either way. However, where the gulf becomes clear is in each camera's overall handling and quality — the Nikon Z5 II's superior displays, control layout, body quality, extra card slot and better battery life deliver a better all-round shooting experience. </p><p>The Canon feels every much the entry-level camera with powerful features, whereas the Nikon camera redefines entry-level quality. And when you think that the Z5 II has pricier components but costs less, it feels like a solid win for the Canon rival. </p> </article> ]]>