Nikon Z8 has a
46.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm ) sized Stacked CMOS sensor and features Expeed 7 processor. On the other hand, Canon 5DS R has a
51.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual DIGIC 6 processor.
Canon 5DS R's sensor provides 5MP more than Nikon Z8's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Canon 5DS R's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the Z8 and 5DS R sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon Z8 and Canon 5DS R Cameras
Nikon Z8 and Canon 5DS R have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon Z8 and Canon 5DS R sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, Z8 has scored 98, 12 points higher than 5DS R.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon Z8
98
26.3 bits
14.2 Evs
2548 ISO
Canon 5DS R
86
24.6 bits
12.4 Evs
2308 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon Z8
or the
Canon 5DS R ,
including hyperfocal distance.
