The Nikon Z9 is Nikon’s flagship, whereas the Nikon Zf is a retro-design camera. But although they are fairly different-looking cameras, the Nikon Zf is a suprisingly powerful camera under the hood, and thus you may be wondering which one to get. Read on to find out!
Nikon Zf vs Nikon Z9 Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Zf | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 2023 | October 2021 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 45.4 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6048×4032 | 8256×5504 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.9µ | 4.4µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 64 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 64,000 | ISO 25,600 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 32-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/32000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 14 FPS | No mechanical shutter |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 14 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 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) | Over 200 frames | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 493 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -8.5 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) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 125 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | Micro SD (UHS-I) | CFExpress Type B |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Dual Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL18d |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 360 frames | 700 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 380 frames | 740 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 430 frames | 770 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) | 1340 g (2.95 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)1 | 149 x 150 x 106 mm (5.9 x 5.9 x 4.2″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $2000 (Check Current Price) | $5500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices | Nikon Z9 Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Zf’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zf’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z9’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z9’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Nikon Zf and Z9 have some similarities. Most notably, the Nikon Zf has some autofocus features from the Z9, and thus it is fairly capable. However, that is where the similarities end. Even though the Zf has good autofocus, it lacks the fast stacked sensor of the Z9 and thus it cannot compete with the Z9 in terms of overall AF performance.
And that makes sense. The Z9 was finely-tuned for action and the Zf is more of a very-well rounded camera that can certainly capture some challenging scenes on occasion. In that regard, the Zf is a much better camera for most people: it has good enough autofocus for almost any scenario, and it’s much more compact as well, weighing just over half as much as the Z9.
When it comes to video, the Z9 edges out the Zf as well. Unlike the Zf, the Z9 shoots 8K and 4K120, whereas the Zf only goes up to 4K60 and with a crop. The video quality of the Zf is still pretty nice however, and should satisfy the video needs of casual shooters.
In short, the Z9 is specialist camera. If you need it, you know. On the other hand, the Zf packs an incredible feature set in for just $2000 compared to the Z9’s MSRP of $5500, and if you gave me the Zf to shoot with for a week, even as a wildlife shooter, I certainly would not be disappointed!
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Nikon Z9?
- Lighter weight (630g lighter or about 1.9 times lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $3500 less—you could take a trip with this savings!
What does the Nikon Z9 offer over the Nikon Zf?
- Faster autofocus with a stacked sensor
- Much better video including 8K and Raw video
- 1.85 times more megapixels (24.5MP vs 45.4MP)
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 340 more shots according to CIPA measurements
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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