Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS R5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D6 and Canon EOS R5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D6 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R5 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2020.

Camera Released
Nikon D6 2020
Canon EOS R5 2020

Type of camera

Nikon D6 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R5 is a Mirrorless 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 **
Nikon D6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R5 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D6 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R5 has 45 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D6 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Canon EOS R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464

Canon EOS R5 has a 117 % larger resolution than Nikon D6. 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 D6 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS R5. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS R5 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D6 100-102400
Canon EOS R5 100-51200

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 Nikon D6
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D6 14
Canon EOS R5 20

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D6 and Canon EOS R5 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 D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 72% heavier than Canon EOS R5 and its 738 gr (or 1.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb

Nikon D6 vs Canon EOS R5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D6 and Canon EOS R5, 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
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Name Nikon D6 Canon EOS R5
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Release Year 2020 2020
Release Date 2019-09-04 2020-07-09
MSRP 6499 USD 3899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 8192 x 5464 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 45 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC X
Image
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 105 1053
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72x 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 5760000
Photography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Frames per second 14 fps 20 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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 Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or smartphone) Yes
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D6
Canon EOS R5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3580 shots 320 shots
Width 160 mm 138 mm
Height 163 mm 98 mm
Depth 92 mm 88 mm
Weight 1270 gram 738 gram