Upgrade Guide

Nikon Z5→Nikon Nikon Z9

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Nikon

£999

2020

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

Nikon Z9

£5499 (+£4,500)

2021

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the Z5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the Nikon Z9

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	Z5	Nikon Z9
Price	£999	£5,499
Released	2020	2021	↑
Sensor	24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS	45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS
Resolution	24MP	46MP	↑
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	↓
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

Compare side-by-side

See Z5 and Nikon Z9 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Nikon Z9 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the Z5

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Camera family history