Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS M50 Mark II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS M50 Mark II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z5 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS M50 Mark II is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2020.

Camera Released
Nikon Z5 2020
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z5 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M50 Mark II has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 M50 Mark II has 24 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 M50 Mark II 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon Z5 has a 1 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M50 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

Nikon Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M50 Mark II. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS M50 Mark II has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z5 100-51200
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 100-25600

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 M50 Mark II belongs to the Canon EOS M-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 M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M50 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 M50 Mark II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z5 4,5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 10

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 M50 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.

Nikon Z5 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 74% heavier than Canon EOS M50 Mark II and its 387 gr (or 0.85 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb
Canon EOS M50 Mark II 387 gr
0.85 lb

Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS M50 Mark II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS M50 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 M50 Mark II
Name Nikon Z5 Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Release Year 2020 2020
Release Date 2020-07-21 2020-10-14
MSRP 1399 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6016 x 4016 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 7
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 M50 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 273 143
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 200% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 3689400 2360000
Photography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Frames per second 4,5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 5 meters
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) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 305 shots
Width 134 mm 116 mm
Height 101 mm 88 mm
Depth 70 mm 59 mm
Weight 675 gram 387 gram