Z5vs Nikon Z9
VS
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Professional Sports & Wildlife — Nikon Z9 (2021): 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
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Nikon Z9 (2021)
- 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
Quick take: The nikon z9 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the z5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Nikon Z9 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £5,499 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 1340g body only |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Photojournalism | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history