As the Nikon Z9 gradually makes its way into the hands of more and more photographers, I’m sure that some of you are weighing whether to buy it or Nikon’s previous flagship mirrorless camera, the Z7 II. These two cameras are different in a lot of ways, but they do share some key specifications behind the scenes. Which one is right for you? Let’s look at their features side-by-side to help answer that question.
Specifications of Nikon Z7 II and Z9
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z7 II | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 14, 2020 | October 28, 2021 |
| Sensor Resolution | 45.7 MP | 45.7 MP |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Stacked BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 × 23.9mm | 35.9 × 23.9mm |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
| Low-Pass Filter | No | No |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 4.35µ |
| Image Size | 8256 × 5504 | 8256 × 5504 |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Image Processor | Dual EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 9 FPS (14-Bit raw); 10 FPS (12-Bit raw) | 20 FPS (No limitations); 30 FPS (Full resolution JPEG); 120 FPS (11 Megapixel JPEG) |
| Buffer | 49 (14-Bit lossless compressed raw); 77 (12-Bit lossless compressed raw); 200 (JPEG fine, large) | 79 (14-Bit lossless compressed raw); 685 (High efficiency star raw); 1000+ (High efficiency raw); 1000+ (JPEG fine, large) |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 64-25,600 | 64-25,600 |
| Boosted Low ISO Sensitivity | ISO 32 | ISO 32 |
| Boosted High ISO Sensitivity | ISO 102,400 | ISO 102,400 |
| Dust Reduction / Sensor Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor Dust Cover at Shutdown | Not built in | Yes |
| Shutter Types | Mechanical, Electronic, EFCS | Electronic Only |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic Viewfinder / EVF | Electronic Viewfinder / EVF |
| Viewfinder Coverage and Magnification | 100%, 0.8× | 100%, 0.8× |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3,690,000 dot | 3,690,000 dot |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Storage Media | 1× CFe (Type B) with XQD compatibility; 1× SD UHS II | 2× CFe (Type B) with XQD Compatibility |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 sec | 1/32,000 sec |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 sec | 900 sec |
| Flash Sync Speed (Non-High-Speed) | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Exposure Metering Sensor | TTL exposure metering using main image sensor | TTL exposure metering using main image sensor |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF; 493 AF points | Hybrid PDAF; 493 AF points |
| AF Detection Range (f/2 Standardized) | -3 to +17 EV (Down to -4 EV with low-light AF) | -5 to +20.5 EV (Down to -7 EV with starlight view) |
| Eye-Tracking AF | Yes | Yes |
| Subject Detection AF | Yes, three subjects (people, dogs, cats) | Yes, nine subjects (people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, trains, planes, bicycles) |
| 3D Tracking AF Mode | No | Yes |
| Focus Peaking | Yes | Yes |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 4K up to 60 FPS, 1080p up to 120 FPS | 8K up to 30p (up to 60p with future firmware update) |
| Video Compression | 4:2:2 (10-bit if over HDMI); MPEG-4/H.264 | Apple ProRes 4:2:2 HQ (10 bit internal), H.265/HEVC (8 bit /10 bit internal), H.264/AVC (8 bit) |
| Log Recording | N-log | N-log |
| Audio Recording Options | Built-in stereo microphone; External stereo microphone (optional) | Built-in stereo microphone; External stereo microphone (optional) |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Size and Type | 3.2″ Tilting Touchscreen | 3.2″ Dual-Axis Tilting Touchscreen |
| LCD Resolution | 2,100,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots |
| Built-in GPS | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life, Stills | 360 shots (CIPA); 420 shots (rear LCD only); 440 shots (rear LCD only, energy saver on) | 700 shots (CIPA); 740 shots (rear LCD only); 770 shots (rear LCD only, energy saver on) |
| Battery Life, Movies | 105 minutes (rear LCD); 100 minutes (EVF) | 170 minutes (rear LCD); 170 minutes (EVF) |
| Button Illumination | No | Yes |
| Weather Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
| USB Version | 3.1 (Type C) | 3.1 (Type C) |
| Weight (with Battery and Card) | 705 g (1.55 lbs) | 1340 g (2.95 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 101 × 70 mm (5.3 × 4.0 × 2.8 inches) | 149 × 149.5 × 90.5 mm (5.9 × 5.9 × 3.6 inches) |
| Price Upon Introduction | $3000 | $5500 |
| Price Today | $3000 (check price) | $5500 (check price) |
Which Camera Should You Get?
Anyone who’s heard of these two cameras probably knew what the results were going to be ahead of time: The Z9 is clearly more advanced than the Z7 II. This is especially true in how quickly the Z9 can push data through the imaging pipeline, with more than double the FPS in 14-bit raw, a much larger buffer, and 8K rather than 4K video.
Although the Nikon Z7 II is only ahead of the Z9 in size and weight (and some photographers may even disagree with that, preferring the Z9’s bigger grip and heft), that doesn’t make the Z7 II a bad camera. For one thing, it’s $2500 less expensive than the Z9 – money that can go directly to getting better lenses to maximize the quality of this 45-megapixel sensor. On top of that, even though the Z7 II doesn’t beat the Z9 in a lot of categories, it does tie it in some important areas, especially regarding the image sensor.
Specifically, the Z7 II and Z9 sensors both have a 45-megapixel resolution, a base ISO of 64, and a high ISO of 25,600. The biggest difference is that the Z9 has a stacked sensor, while the Z7 II does not. The purpose of a stacked sensor is to improve readout speed, which helps with the Z9’s fast frame rate. But in terms of image quality, it doesn’t offer an advantage, and the two cameras are comparable in that regard.
For this reason, I consider the Z7 II to be almost as good of a landscape photography camera as the Z9. The lighter weight and smaller size make it easier to bring into the backcountry, although it misses out on a couple nice features like the dual-axis tilting LCD (useful for vertical compositions from a tripod) and illuminated buttons. Factoring in the Z9’s better low-light autofocus system and longer battery life, I think it beats the Z7 II in landscape situations head-to-head, but only ignoring price. I’d certainly rather shoot the Z7 II with a killer landscape lens like the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S than the Z9 with cheaper glass if budget is an issue.
For faster-moving genres, the comparison isn’t as close. If you need a high frame rate, big buffer, or cutting-edge autofocus system, the Z9 is clearly ahead. It’s not as though the Z7 II is terrible in any of these areas, but the Z9 is on another level. To shoot 20 FPS bursts of 45-megapixel raw photos with a 1000+ image buffer and no other limitations is really remarkable (pending our tests that the high efficiency raw on the Z9 loses no image quality).
Copyright Libor Vaicenbacher
Frankly, the Z9 is a clear enough upgrade over the Z7 II that unless you’re a dedicated weight-minimalizer, the decision will simply come down to price. If you’re willing to spend $5500 on a camera, get the Z9. It’s the better camera in almost every way and is priced fairly for what you get. But if $5500 is a bridge too far, get the Z7 II, which is also priced fairly for its features. (If $3000 for the Z7 II is also too far, the original Nikon Z6 and Z7 are still amazing cameras and are selling for criminally low prices on the used market.)
Keep in mind that this isn’t meant to be a full review of the Nikon Z9 but simply a roundup of its key specifications and how they compare to a known quantity like the Z7 II. Though unlikely, there could always be some issue with the Z9 like the Nikon D600 dust problem that we detected many years ago that revises down our rating of the Z9’s capabilities. Although some of our team members have received their Z9 already for testing, it will still be some time before we’ve used the Z9 long enough to give it a fair and comprehensive review. Until then, if you’re planning to buy the Z9 but haven’t gotten in the long line yet, you can join the digital queue here.
The Z7II was NEVER Nikon’s flagship camera. Period!
I never said it was their flagship camera, but of course it was their flagship mirrorless camera.
Oxford Dictionary: “The best or most important thing owned or produced by a particular organization.”
Well Spencer, strictly speaking, the Oxford dictionary’s definition excludes the Z7 II completely. Just because Nikon woke up too late and presented an expensive and an less expensive mirrorless body, that doesn’t make the expensive one automatically a flagship. More likely it was the playground for stupid early adopters like myself to realize how much failures of the first mirrorless project 1 could be repeated.
And the general tendency of Nikon is something I really like to see go down the drain. Because I was waiting very long to see a mirrorless with a fully articulating screen, I overcame my promise to myself “never again a Nikon” and ordered a Zfc. Just to realize that Nikon decided to rely on Google translate for the reference manual in German. A market with 100 million potential buyers is no longer important enough to “waste some money” on professional translators. Camera went back to the dealer.
So, you didn’t think of downloading the manual BEFORE buying the camera. Well done!
Hi Joachim. It’s obvious from your post that you write, and therefore read very good English. Why would you need the manual in German ?
Hello Spencer, thanks for the article.
I think there’s a typo in the Z9 announcement date.
Maybe it’s supposed to say October 2021 instead of October 2022, or maybe I’m from the future. Both possibilities are equally likely. But I fixed it just in case :)
Not clear from the specs above, but I very much like the faster than 1/200s readout of the sensor. I do a lot of photography of events that have to be photographed in silence and show the usual stoboscopic stripes in the image due to the slow readout of the electronic shutter in combination with the projection/badly dimmed led lamps.
Since the dynamic range is a bit less than the Z7 and it has the same amount of pixels, i still have to wait for a Z8 ; 60MP or more; a fast electronic shutter a la Z9 and the 10 pin connector upfront for my remote (or better built in)+ same battery as the d800-Z7
PS 8 is not a lucky number in Japan so its name will be someting else…
“PS 8 is not a lucky number in Japan so its name will be someting else…”
Quote from Wikipedia:
“Japanese superstitions
Lucky numbers
• 7 is an important number in Buddhism, and is also considered lucky.
• 8 is considered a lucky number due to its shape.”
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/…ns#Numbers
my mistake!;
Jim Kasson just checked the electronic readout and comes to 1/270s
par example : the Z7/D850 has one of 1/16th of a second- great improvement here!
There is an error in the specs. The Z7II focuses down to -3EV and Z9 to -5EV both without low-light AF enabled and having a f2 lens.
It is Z7 that focuses to -2EV
www.nikonusa.com/en/ni…-TechSpecs
www.nikonusa.com/en/ni…-TechSpecs
Thank you, just made those corrections!
Perusing the spec chart, the differences between the two cameras are extremely minor unless you just have to have 20-30 FPS or you care about video ( most people don’t ). Unless you’re a pro action and sports photographer or just want to have the latest and greatest I don’t see a compelling reason, IQ being the same, to drop $5500 on a Z9 as fine a camera as I’m sure it is.
The autofocus system is also meaningfully improved, but as you said, that’s mainly something for action and sports photographers to care about. Landscape and portrait photographers have already had great options for years, and the Z9 improves on them in some ways, but that’s not where most of its new improvements lie.
Hi Steve, I have a Z6 and Z9. Recently sold off a second z6 to subsidize the Z9 a bit. Maybe just the tax portion anyway haha. It’s not just for action & sports. I’m a working do-it-all hybrid photographer. My focus is stills but I’m doing more and more video and more and more photo AND video on the same jobs. Weddings (P&V), headshots, commercial (P&V), corporate interviews, industrial (P&V), architecture, small business branding (P&V) as some examples. With the Z6, I owned an Atomos Ninja for getting better video quality. It was a love hate relationship. I loved what it did. Hated what it was and the process involved to get what I needed. When I preordered the Z9 I sold the Ninja (I have other monitors). Since getting the Z9 it’s like the universe knew and I’ve gotten jobs where the Z9 is perfectly suited and I couldn’t have done with the Z6 or 7. For example, I was recently hired by a hot tub company to shoot lifestyle photo and video of people using swim-in-place spas in our Canadian winter. Lots of snow, -15C, swimming outside.5 hours outside in -15C, getting stills, and 4K 24 and 120 N-log in camera. Stills to 128 GB CFx card, video to 512 GB CFx card. 40% battery used. It just made the shoot easy. It’s not even something I could have done 2 months ago. But, big battery, dual same slots, internal high bit video, beat hybrid abilities….. It’s not just about 20 fps (but that did come in handy shooting swimming). For the 90% stills shooter… Z7 is still fantastic.
Spencer,
As an owner of the original Z7 who only takes landscape[e pictures. is their any reason to move up to the Z9 or Z7II?
While there are some reasons, they’re not enough to make me personally move from my Z7 to either of these cameras! I’d rather put the money toward lenses (or frankly these days, more film gear.)
The biggest reasons to get the Z7 II instead of the Z7 for landscapes are the option for a clutter-free live view display on the Z7 II, a fix to the oversensitive eye-proximity sensor on the Z7 II, and dual card slots if that matters to you. It also autofocuses in slightly lower light conditions (about one stop) and has a hair more battery life.
The biggest reasons for the Z9 instead of the Z7 for landscapes are all those same things, plus what I mentioned in this article: dual axis tilting LCD, illuminated buttons, even lower-light AF, and even longer battery life. But it does come at the expense of more weight, about 1.5 pounds / 665 g heavier than the original Z7.
I had a Z 7 since firmware version 2 and at version 3 replaced it by a Z 7ii. In both cases, I bought a “mirage” – a promise of (much) better firmware. The current Z 7 firmware (3.3 or so) is a lot better again and maybe with that version, I would not have upgraded. The Z 7ii still holds the promise of the two Expeed 6 processors – I feel the Z 7ii still can do a lot better, e.g. in AF, even when it is very good today.
That would make the distance to the Z 9 smaller, though, and development for the single processor Z 9 has probably reduced the need to rewrite firmware for two processors.
But that is about speed and totally irrelevant to landscape photography.
If you need to spend money, buy an extremely sturdy tripod like a Gitzo Systematic V – these cameras have so much dynamic range that motion blur is a much bigger issue than we naively think (even with excellent IBIS). And shoot multi-shot panoramas that you stitch (Photoshop is the best). And upsample your shots with Topaz’s GigaPixel AI to maximum pixel size. Or process as 32 bits per channel in Photoshop. Take the invention of pixels or dots away from Windows/MacOS and graphics/printer drivers.
And study perspective and composition in order to enhance your ability to “see” better shots, when out there. The quality of your shots is (a) in your vision and (b) in post processing – like in Ansel Adams time.
The one huge disadvantage with the Z9 is the bracketing system, which they inexplicably stripped down significantly with choices in number of shots, whether to start the bracket over or under exposed ( a big deal when you are shooting strobes outdoors,since your second shot in the bracket now has a much higher chance of failure) etc….
Interesting! That would be a disadvantage, and an unusual one considering that Nikon has used a similar bracketing system for years in their other high-end cameras. We’ll be sure to test and mention that in our review.
Waiting for the Z8 (≃Z9 without the grip) ; I prefer the characteristics of the Z9 (handling & controls: Menu banks better than U1,2,3 ; the top left dial e.g.). For me the Z7 (handling) relates more to the D780 than to a D850 successor.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Nikon does release a Z8 that is between the Z7 II and Z9 in features, but there’s no guarantee it will have the handling you envision. I recommend not planning around a camera that doesn’t exist, or it might disappoint you in one way or another.
Spencer, thanks for your response. I already have a Z7 in addition to a D850. Not seeing the point of switching to a Z7II as I do not need a useless & heavy grip for my trips, I’m waiting for the obvious release of a Z8 which will allow me to have the ergonomics of the pro cameras from Nikon (obvious, because my Nikon shop has already opened a waiting list for the Z8 ;-) ). All the best and thank you for all your reviews.
I am with Spencer on this one, I see the Z7 ??? being uplifted to work with the Trickle Down Technology from the Z9.
My ‘Gut Feeling’ will be a model with an increased MP and slower FPS / Decreased Burst and Buffer, with a large selection of the Z9 AF.
The other consumer body level additions is a broad spectrum of options from historical offerings and will most likely be carefully selected to encourage a larger demographic of interest in the model
For a Z8 vs the Z9, my post is not based on the techno spec but only on handling
& controls without a grip (like the D850 vs the D5). Wait & see.
Thanks for this comparison. I’m not sure the higher weight and larger size of the Z9 is seen as an advantage by everyone.. (I would not make it green in the table).
You’re absolutely right, I marked that wrong. Meant to give the advantage to the Z7 II in both those categories. (Although I know that some photographers do prefer the Z9’s bigger size and weight.)
How does the Z6II/Z7II compare to the Z9 with initial focus acquisition in low light ? This aspect is always forgotten, it is either AF with all the time in the world (landscape) or the machine gunning properties that get compared. I want to go Z, coming from D5 for use with fast action sports and dances in dim light places.
The AF speed of the Z9 is probably a hair faster than the D6 in my experience (I have both), though it’s probably hard to tell the difference. However, the Z9 also has 3D tracking and active subject detection working all the time (if desired). The D6 and the Z9 have very similar AF speed, but the Z9’s AF is also much more intelligent. I haven’t used the Z6II/Z7II, but I can’t imagine their AF speed/tracking is anything close to the D6 or Z9. Bottom line, the Z9 AF feels like how a Nikon flagship AF should feel and it’s currently their best AF on any camera.
Good info, thanks, Ben!
Thanks for mentioning that, good point, it’s not always covered in reviews. We’ll include it in our Z9 review after thorough testing.