Decision tools · Compare
Z9 vs Sony FX5
Quick take: The Z9 has the highest resolution at 46MP; the Sony FX5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
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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 | Z9Nikon · 2021 | Sony FX5Sony · 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,639Best | £4,699 |
| Sensor | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 16.6MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 45.7MPBest | 16.6MP |
| Video | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 5K/60p open-gate, 4K/120p, internal RAW/X-OCN, 10-bit Log, triple base ISO |
| Autofocus | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | AI-powered hybrid phase-detect AF (759 points) with subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | 6-stop IBIS | IBIS with Dynamic Active Mode |
| Burst Rate | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEGBest | 10fps |
| Battery Life | 740 shots (CIPA)Best | ~105 min actual recording, ~170 min continuous (LCD) |
| Weight | 1340g (body only) | 734g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm | — |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | Optional detachable EVF (DVF-EL1), OLED |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | Fully articulating touchscreen (4-axis arm) |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD | CFexpress Type A + SDXC (dual) |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN | USB-C, full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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
Z9
Sony FX5
Portrait
8.2/10
6.9/10
Street
5.0/10
5.3/10
Travel
5.0/10
6.2/10
Wedding & Events
8.4/10
7.0/10
Filmmaking
7.9/10
8.7/10
Documentary
7.6/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
9.2/10
6.8/10
Landscape
6.7/10
5.1/10
Wildlife
8.9/10
6.8/10
Casual
4.0/10
5.1/10
Food
6.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
6.6/10
5.2/10
Architecture
6.8/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
7.2/10
6.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10
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 →
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