Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z5 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z5 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II was released 2016. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z5 2020
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 2016

Type of camera

Nikon Z5 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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 **
Nikon Z5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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 Z5 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 1D X Mark II has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z5 24 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 20 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Nikon Z5 has a 21 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D X Mark II. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z5 100-51200
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D X Mark II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II can shoot up to 16 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z5 4,5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 16

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 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.

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II weighs 1530 gr (equal to 3.37 lb) which is 127% heavier than Nikon Z5 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II 1530 gr
3.37 lb

Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS 1D X Mark II, 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 Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Name Nikon Z5 Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Release Year 2020 2016
Release Date 2020-07-21 2016-02-02
MSRP 1399 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
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 6016 x 4016 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 20 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL DIGIC 6+
Image
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 273 61
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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 Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 1620000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 200% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 3689400 0
Photography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Frames per second 4,5 fps 16 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 Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Motion JPEG
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Optional via WFT-E8
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Supported
GPS No Yes
Built-in (with e-compass)
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 1210 shots
Width 134 mm 158 mm
Height 101 mm 168 mm
Depth 70 mm 83 mm
Weight 675 gram 1530 gram