Nikon Z9 Review

The Competition

In this section of the Nikon Z9 review, I’ll cover the specifications differences between the Z9 and other cameras you may be considering as alternatives.

Sony A1 vs Nikon Z9

As Libor said in the autofocus section, the Sony A1 is arguably the closest competitor to the Nikon Z9 that’s currently available. These specifications show a true back-and-forth with neither camera obviously coming out ahead.

In the end, the main difference – if you’re completely ambivalent about the brand – is the camera’s form factor. The Sony A1 is smaller and lighter, which is usually preferable in a mirrorless camera. However, as a result, the A1 doesn’t have the same level of controls, integrated vertical grip, and advanced connectivity ports as the Z9. It’s also $1000 more expensive, not counting a separate battery grip if you need one.

That’s all probably academic, though. For most photographers, the difference between the Sony A1 and the Nikon Z9 will come down to the question of brand. Which camera system are you more familiar with? Which one do you have the lenses for? The two cameras are both so good that there’s little reason to jump brands from one to the other, so just get whichever one matches your existing system.

Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon Z9

Like the comparison against the Sony A1, the Canon EOS R3 also trades blows with the Nikon Z9, winning in some categories and losing in others. However, I’m inclined to give the overall nod to the Nikon Z9, since it manages similar performance in areas like buffer and frame rate, while using a sensor that has almost twice the resolution.

Resolution is hardly everything, and if 24 megapixels works for your needs (which it surely does for most photographers), the EOS R3 has some appealing features of its own. The most intriguing is the autofocus feature that detects where you, the photographer, are looking, and then starts the focus point at that spot. (Unfortunately, it doesn’t yet use this futuristic feature for focus tracking.)

As for other differences, one of the big headlines in the Z9’s favor is internal 8K RAW video, although frankly the EOS R3’s 6K RAW internal video is nearly as useful. In reality, both cameras have similarly competent features for almost everything you can throw at them, which means the main difference is 24 versus 45 megapixels, and Canon versus Nikon.

Just like before, I’d stick with the company you already know. Jumping ship to another brand is usually a fast way to lose money without gaining much along the way. If you’re a Canon shooter and 24 megapixels isn’t enough for you, I’d just wait for the eventual EOS R1 (or get the EOS R5, which already manages 20 FPS RAW, albeit with a much smaller buffer and a less advanced control layout).

Nikon Z7 II vs Nikon Z9

This isn’t exactly a close comparison, but since the Nikon Z7 II was the previous “top dog” in Nikon’s mirrorless lineup, I figured that some existing Z7 II shooters may be wondering if they need to upgrade. Likewise, perhaps some new Nikon Z photographers aren’t sure if the Z9 is worth the extra $2500.

The truth is that the Nikon Z7 II is an extremely competent camera in its own right, and – thanks to the small size, base ISO 64, and 45 megapixel sensor – is already one of the best landscape photography cameras today. You’ll also get better image quality by going with the Nikon Z7 II and a top-notch lens compared to the Z9 and lower-quality glass.

But if you’re asking which one is the better camera overall, it’s really no contest. The Nikon Z7 II has nowhere near the processing power of the Z9, nor the autofocus system, buffer, video specs, and advanced controls. If any of those features matter for your photography, and you have the budget for it, the Z9 is definitely the way to go.

Nikon D6 vs Nikon Z9

The Nikon D6 came out in February of 2020 and is one of the most advanced DSLRs ever made. That said, Nikon is clearly pouring most of its attention toward mirrorless these days, and the Z9 is absolutely intended to be an upgrade over the D6.

On balance, I think it succeeds at that purpose, too. As we covered in the autofocus section, the Nikon Z9 beats the D6’s autofocus system whenever it recognizes a subject, with better accuracy, speed, and full-frame tracking capabilities. However, the Nikon D6 still holds the crown as Nikon’s best “unusual subject” AF system, meaning that it beats the Z9 when the Z9’s subject recognition doesn’t engage.

The other big advantage for the Nikon D6 is battery life, since the optical viewfinder takes minimal power compared to the Z9’s electronic viewfinder. It’s also true, of course, that if you’re a fan of DSLRs in general – the way they handle, or just the “real” feeling of an optical viewfinder – you’d be happier with the D6.

In terms of construction, the Nikon Z9 is built like a tank in much the same way as the Nikon D6, although if I had to drop one of them off the Empire State Building, swim with it in the Arctic Ocean, and then launch it into the sun, I’d put money on the D6 surviving a bit longer. For most professional use, though, the Nikon Z9 will be extremely reliable.

That does it for the head-to-head specification comparisons, which means you’re almost finished with the review! On the next page is our summary and verdict after months of field-testing multiple copies of the Nikon Z9. So, click below to go to the following page, “Our Verdict.”