Canon EF vs. Nikon Z
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
The Canon EF Mount (introduced in 1987 for the EOS autofocus SLR system) revolutionized photographic camera design as the first 100% all-electronic lens mount, eliminating all mechanical aperture linkages and autofocus drive shafts. Featuring a 44.0 mm Flange Focal Distance and a large 54.0 mm throat diameter, over 150 million EF lenses were manufactured over 33 years.
The Nikon Z Mount (introduced in 2018 for the Z-series mirrorless system) features the shortest Flange Focal Distance (16.0 mm) and the widest inner throat diameter (55.0 mm) among current major full-frame mirrorless mounts (Sony E, Canon RF, Leica L). This geometry enables extreme optical designs, including the ultra-fast NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct.
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Flange Focal Distance (FFD)
|
44.00 mm (1.732 in) | 16.00 mm (0.630 in — the shortest FFD among current major full-frame mirrorless mounts) |
|
Inner Throat Diameter
|
54.00 mm (2.126 in) | 55.00 mm (2.165 in — the largest throat diameter among current major full-frame mirrorless mounts) |
|
Bayonet Tabs
|
3 locking tabs with clockwise twist | 4 asymmetrical locking tabs with counter-clockwise twist (traditional Nikon direction) |
|
Electronic Interface
|
8 gold-plated electronic contacts (expanded to 11 pins on EF super-telephoto lenses for teleconverters) | 11 gold-plated contact pins |
|
Camera Systems
|
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS 6D II, EOS Rebel series, Cinema EOS C300/C500 | Nikon Z9, Z8, Z7 II, Z6 III, Zf (full frame), Z50, Zfc, Z30 (DX APS-C) |
|
Internal Actuators
|
Internal USM (Ultrasonic Motor) in lens body + internal electromagnetic aperture diaphragm (EMD) | — |
|
Variants
|
EF (Full Frame), EF-S (APS-C with rubber bumper back-focus extension), EF-M (discontinued APS-C mirrorless) | — |
|
Max Theoretical Aperture
|
— | Mount geometry (throat diameter and FFD) permits faster designs than F-mount allowed; the fastest lens actually shipped is the Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct -- claims of a precise theoretical f/0.58 limit are back-of-envelope extrapolations, not a published Nikon figure |
|
Legacy F-Mount Adaptability
|
— | Nikon FTZ / FTZ II adapter (30.5 mm spacer) provides full AF/AE with AF-S and AF-P NIKKOR lenses |