Decision tools · Compare
Nikon D780 vs Z9
Quick take: The Z9 has the highest resolution at 46MP; the Nikon D780 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z9 — Professional Sports & Wildlife: The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.
Who should buy what
Z9 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports, wildlife and photojournalism photographers
- Nikon D6 or D850 users making the final switch to mirrorless
- Those who need the fastest, most reliable AF Nikon has ever made
- Professionals who need a flagship body with no mechanical shutter
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Nikon D780Nikon · 2020 | Z9Nikon · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999Best | £4,639 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.0MP | 45.7MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, 10-bit N-Log via HDMI, 1080p/120p | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | 51-point DSLR phase-detect (viewfinder); on-sensor hybrid AF with eye detection (live view/video) | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEGBest |
| Battery Life | 2,260 shots (CIPA, viewfinder) | 740 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 840g (with battery and card)Best | 1340g (body only) |
| Dimensions | — | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II) | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Nikon D780
Z9
Portrait
6.7/10
8.2/10
Street
5.4/10
5.0/10
Travel
5.6/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
8.4/10
Filmmaking
6.2/10
7.9/10
Documentary
6.5/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.3/10
9.2/10
Landscape
6.2/10
6.7/10
Wildlife
6.2/10
8.9/10
Casual
4.2/10
4.0/10
Food
5.8/10
6.9/10
Macro
5.4/10
6.6/10
Architecture
5.9/10
6.8/10
Astrophotography
6.7/10
7.2/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with Nikon D780
Camera family history