Canon EOS R8 vs Nikon Z7 II
Canon EOS R8 has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The EOS R8 is the better pick for beginners, travel, wildlife, sports, astrophotography, vlogging; the Z7 II is better for landscapes.
Choose the EOS R8 for
- faster bursts (40fps vs 10fps)
- better low-light performance
- a lighter body (461g vs 705g)
- a lower price (from £789)
- a newer design (2023)
Choose the Z7 II for
- more resolution (45.7MP vs 24MP)
- in-body image stabilisation
- weather sealing
- more lenses in our database (54 vs 36)
Specs side by side
| Spec | EOS R8 | Z7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24MP | Full frame, 45.7MP |
| Mount | Canon RF (full frame) | Nikon Z |
| Released | 2023 | 2020 |
| Burst | 40 fps | 10 fps |
| Readout | ≈16 ms | — |
| Max ISO | 102,400 | 25,600 |
| Stabilisation | Lens only | In-body |
| Video | 4K 60p | 4K 60p |
| Weather sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 461 g | 705 g |
| Battery | Canon LP-E17 | Nikon EN-EL15c |
| Card slots | SD (UHS-II) | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £1,229 | £1,799 |
| Used at MPB | £789–914 | £924–989 |
| Native lenses in our database | 36 (14 third-party) | 54 (31 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | EOS R8 |
| Everyday & travel | EOS R8 |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | Z7 II |
| Wildlife & animals | EOS R8 |
| Sports & action | EOS R8 |
| Astrophotography | EOS R8 |
| Vlogging & video | EOS R8 |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The EOS R8 uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses in our database, 14 third-party) and the Z7 II uses Nikon Z (54 lenses, 31 third-party). Batteries: Canon LP-E17 (about £45) vs Nikon EN-EL15c (about £51).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EOS R8 better than the Nikon Z7 II?
It depends on your priorities. The EOS R8 offers faster bursts (40fps vs 10fps), better low-light performance, a lighter body (461g vs 705g); the Z7 II offers more resolution (45.7MP vs 24MP), in-body image stabilisation, weather sealing.
Which is better for video, the EOS R8 or the Z7 II?
They are closely matched for video (4K 60p vs 4K 60p); stabilisation and lens choice will decide it.
Which is cheaper, the EOS R8 or the Z7 II?
The EOS R8 costs £1,229 new and from £789 used at MPB; the Z7 II costs £1,799 new and from £924 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Canon EOS R8 lenses on the Z7 II?
Not directly. The EOS R8 uses Canon RF / RF-S and the Z7 II uses Nikon Z; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.