Performanc e
Time to ditch the spec sheets, as we put each camera through its paces
Both the Nikon and Fujifilm devour memory cards scarily quickly
Shooting with both the EOS R and Z 7 is a real pleasure, as their advanced autofocus systems are as good as instantaneous in virtually any lighting environment. The GFX 50R uses a slightly slower AF system that requires a brief moment of hesitation before it locks on, but it takes less than a second and focussing accuracy is still top notch.
Though the EOS R lags behind the Nikon and Fujifilm cameras in terms of outright resolution, all three cameras manage almost identical dynamic range up to ISO6400, with the Canon only performing marginally worse at higher sensitivities. You can capture a wide range of highlight and shadow detail with any camera here, even in low light.
Shoot a scene containing very fine detail and the Nikon and Fujifilm cameras really flex their muscles, resolving miniscule details that are simply not visible in the Canon’s images. However, the Fuji requires more skill, as only two of its seven compatible lenses sport image stabilisation. It just takes a tiny camera shake to introduce enough motion blur to cancel out the sensor resolution advantage over the other two cameras.
Low light sees the Z 7 edge ahead again. The EOS R’s images show slightly less noise at higher ISO sensitivities, but the Nikon records more detail. The GFX 50R’s low-light shots contain similar detail levels to the Nikon and grain appears less prominent, but this is largely due to the 50R’s tendency to slightly underexpose, effectively hiding noise. Dial in exposure compensation to boost brightness and grain soon becomes visible.
With the Nikon and Fujifilm generating huge images of 8256x5504 and 8256x6192 pixels respectively, both devour memory cards scarily quickly. You’ll also need a very powerful computer to edit their raw files, which in the 50R can top 110MB each. The EOS R’s shots are more manageable at around 40MB per raw. The Canon manages 370 shots per battery charge and the Nikon and Fujifilm around 400, so all three have staying power.