Canon EOS R5 vs Nikon D4

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS R5 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS R5 were released 2020 and Nikon D4 was released 2012. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R5 2020
Nikon D4 2012

Type of camera

Canon EOS R5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D4 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS R5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D4 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS R5 has a 45 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464
Nikon D4 16,2 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Canon EOS R5 has a 177 % larger resolution than Nikon D4. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D4 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS R5. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Canon EOS R5 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R5 100-51200
Nikon D4 100-204800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R5 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R5
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R5 20
Nikon D4 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D4 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 82% heavier than Canon EOS R5 and its 738 gr (or 1.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb
Nikon D4 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Canon EOS R5 vs Nikon D4 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R5 and Nikon D4, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Name Canon EOS R5 Nikon D4
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Release Year 2020 2012
Release Date 2020-07-09 2012-01-06
MSRP 3899 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8192 x 5464 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 45 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X EXPEED 3
Image
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 204800
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 1053 51
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 2100000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT color LCD with brightness control
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Frames per second 20 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
Remote Control Yes Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal)
GPS No Yes
GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R5
Nikon D4
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots N/A
Width 138 mm 160 mm
Height 98 mm 157 mm
Depth 88 mm 91 mm
Weight 738 gram 1340 gram