The Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z9 are two very different cameras. Although it is unlikely you will be deciding between these two head-to-head, if you’re a Z50 user, you might be wondering whether it’s worth upgrading to the Z9. In this article, we’ll highlight the differences between these two cameras to help you make your decision!
Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z9 Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z50 | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2019 | October 2021 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 20.9 MP | 45.4 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 5568×3712 | 8256×5504 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.22µ | 4.35µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 64 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 25,600 |
| Extended ISOs | 100-204,800 | 32-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | Yes |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/32000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | No mechanical shutter |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 12-bit raw only at 11 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 9 FPS) | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS; DX JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 35 (11 FPS) | Over 1000 |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 209 | 493 |
| Low-Light AF Sensitivity (f/2 Lens, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -7 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | Yes |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-I) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | CFExpress Type B |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million | 2.1 million |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Dual Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million | 3.69 million |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type B 2.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL25 | EN-EL18d |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 280 frames | 700 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 320 frames | 740 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 450 g (0.99 lbs.) | 1340 g (2.95 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 94 x 75 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.9″)1 | 149 x 150 x 106 mm (5.9 x 5.9 x 4.2″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $860 (Check Current Price) | $5500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon Z50 Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) | Nikon Z9 Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) |
| 1, 2 The Nikon Z50 and Z9’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the standards of other manufacturers, 15mm were added to both depth measurements in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
Looking at the table above, you can see that the Z9 will give you many, many features over the Z50. In a few words, these differences could be summed up as speed, autofocus, and image quality. Thus, the upgrade could be worth it if you started with the Z50 but are starting to have trouble with photographing fast action, or if you want to jump up a level in image quality.
The Z9 is also a full-frame camera with a 45.4MP sensor, over the Z50’s 20.9MP APS-C sensor. Thus, you will also get better detail and low-light performance in many cases. In terms of video, it’s not even close – the Z9 can shoot a whopping 8K video, and it even has internal Raw video capabilities.
The downside of the Z9 is its weight. The Z50 is a pretty compact camera that can be put in a small bag, whereas the Z9 is a gripped camera that weights three times as much. Thus, even if you do upgrade to the Z9, you may wish to keep your Z50 for times when the Z9 is just too much camera.
As to the final question, is it worth it? Personally, I really like the Nikon Z50 and find it highly capable, especially for the size and price. The Nikon Z9 is a serious professional beast, but then again, it should be – it costs over 6x as much! I would typically suggest a photographer grow more slowly, maybe to a camera in the Nikon Z6, Z7, or Z8 line instead of jumping directly from the Z50 all the way to the Z9.