Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS M5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS M5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z9 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS M5 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Canon EOS M5 was released 2016. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Canon EOS M5 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS M5 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 Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M5 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 Z9 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M5 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Canon EOS M5 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon Z9 has a 89 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M5. 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 Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M5. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS M5 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Canon EOS M5 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 M5 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 Z9
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M5 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Canon EOS M5 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS M5 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 Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 214% heavier than Canon EOS M5 and its 427 gr (or 0.94 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS M5 427 gr
0.94 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS M5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS M5, 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 Z9
Canon EOS M5
Name Nikon Z9 Canon EOS M5
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Release Year 2021 2016
Release Date 2021-10-28 2016-09-15
MSRP 5500 USD 979 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
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 Full Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 DIGIC 7
Image
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
No
(5-axis for video only)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus 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 493 49
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 Z9
Canon EOS M5
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2088960 1620000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.62x
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 2360000
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Frames per second 30 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with Bluetooth and NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (Wired, wireless, or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS M5
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 295 shots
Width 149 mm 116 mm
Height 150 mm 89 mm
Depth 91 mm 61 mm
Weight 1340 gram 427 gram