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Nikon Z5II vs Nikon Z 9

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ5IINikonZ 9
Overview
ReleasedApril 2025December 2021
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated CMOSStacked backside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP45.7 MP
Largest image6048 × 40328256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–6400064–25600
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor-cleaning function and image-dust-off reference data for NX Studio52.37 million total pixels; sensor cleaning, dust-off reference data, protective sensor shield and electro-conductive/fluorine coatings
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless, high-efficiency star or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–64000; expanded equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Conventional movie ISO 100–51200.Expandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; auto ISO available
Image processorEXPEED 7EXPEED 7
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst30 fps20 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter, with model-dependent functional restrictionsNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills; 3D tracking, nine subject types and AF-A automatic AF-S/AF-C selection. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, an f/1.2 lens and 20°C.Hybrid phase/contrast detection with 493 single-point FX still positions; 3D tracking and subject detection for people, animals and vehicles. Maker sensitivity −6.5 EV or −8.5 EV with Starlight View, measured in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/1.2.
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time, extendable to 900 seconds in manual mode; flash sync at 1/200 second or slower and Auto FP supportElectronic shutter only, with selectable sound and protective sensor shield; 1/32000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 or 1/250 second with reduced guide number at higher speeds; compatible Auto FP up to 1/8000 may produce horizontal lines.
Burst detailOrdinary continuous high approximately 7.8 fps mechanical, 9.4 fps electronic front-curtain or 10 fps silent. Extended high approximately 14 fps, or 15 fps silent, with JPEG-only restrictions at the highest extended rate. C15/C30 high-speed frame capture supports pre-release capture; main 30 fps is electronic-shutter JPEG normal, not RAW.Continuous high-speed RAW/JPEG up to 20 fps. High-speed C30 provides large full-resolution FX or DX JPEGs and C120 small FX JPEGs (4128 × 2752), with approximately four-second bursts in the linked manual. Firmware 3.00 adds C60 large DX JPEGs, also approximately four seconds; current Japan specs additionally list C15. Pre-release capture supported. These restricted high-speed modes are qualified separately from the main continuous-shooting figure.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; maker claim up to 7.5 stops at the centre or 6 at the periphery under CIPA 2024 using NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has compatible-lens and focus-mode restrictions.Five-axis sensor shift; Synchro VR up to 6 stops with supported VR lenses under Nikon CIPA conditions, including NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S with required lens firmware; electronic movie VR available
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 threaded sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsAuto, P/S/A/M and three user settings; ±5 EV still-image compensationP/S/A/M; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering
Video
Highest video resolution4032 × 2268 at 30 fps8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps
Video detailN-RAW 12-bit at 4032 × 2268 up to 30p in FX or 3984 × 2240 up to 30p in DX. Conventional UHD 3840 × 2160 reaches 60p with DX crop; uncropped UHD reaches 30p and Full HD reaches 120p. H.265 8/10-bit and H.264; N-Log, HLG, RED LUT support, waveform, timecode, proxy recording and Full HD Hi-Res Zoom. Recording-time limit 125 minutes, subject to conditions.With firmware 2.0 or later, internal N-RAW 12-bit 8256 × 4644 up to 59.94p, 5392 × 3032 up to 59.94p and 4128 × 2322 up to 119.88p. Conventional UHD 7680 × 4320 up to 29.97p; UHD 4K and Full HD up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have format-dependent limits. N-Log/HLG, waveform, timecode and RAW proxies. Nikon's UHD 8K/30p recording-time claim is 125 minutes under specified conditions; launch firmware and the early reviews predate internal RAW video support.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV and MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone and headphone monitoringBuilt-in stereo microphones; 24-bit PCM recording, external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoring; AAC used for MP4
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots2,100,0002,100,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% frame coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsFour-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint; Nikon UK claims 3000 cd/m² maximum brightness and 60 Hz refresh0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 23 mm eyepoint; blackout-free display with high-frame-rate option
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)390 photographs770 photographs
Body weight620 g1160 g
Release detailAnnounced on 3 April 2025. Nikon's later Z5IIC announcement explicitly identifies the Z5II as released in April 2025; month precision is retained because an exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.Nikon Japan explicitly records first sale on 24 December 2021; US announcement on 28 October specified availability within 2021. TechRadar's later regional delivery-delay wording does not override the confirmed Japanese first sale.
Recording mediaTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots supporting UHS-II; overflow, backup and separate file-format recordingTwo CFexpress Type B/XQD slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation, duplicate JPEG recording and card copying
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB; Micro HDMI Type D; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; MC-DC3 remote-release connectionUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, full-size HDMI Type A, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets, ten-pin remote terminal and threaded flash-sync socket; RJ-45 Ethernet 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging CloudWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; built-in GNSS supports GPS, GLONASS and QZSS with location/time recording and track logs
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 390 shots with the monitor and power saving enabled, 350 without; EVF 380 with power saving or 330 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S. Movie battery-life claim approximately 85 minutes. Photography Blog quotes a different monitor-shot figure; main follows Nikon's full specification.EN-EL18d; CIPA monitor approximately 770 shots with power saving or 740 without; EVF 740 with power saving or 700 without. Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test gives approximately 5310 shots; movie battery claim approximately 170 minutes. Earlier EN-EL18-series batteries give fewer shots.
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with compatible equipment; EN-EL15b/15a compatibility has restrictions. Nikon UK states no charger included.USB charging/power delivery and MH-33 external charger; optional EH-7P charging supports EN-EL18d/18c/18b, while earlier battery revisions retain restrictions; optional EH-6d with EP-6a power connector
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 72 mmApproximately 149 × 149.5 × 90.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 620 g body only or 700 g including battery and memory card, excluding body capApproximately 1160 g body only or 1340 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top and rear covers; dust- and drip-resistant constructionWeather-sealed magnesium-alloy body with integrated vertical grip; maker operating range −10°C to 40°C
In the boxEN-EL15c battery, AN-DC26 strap, DK-29 eyepiece, BS-1 shoe cover, BF-N1 body cap and USB cableEN-EL18d, MH-33 charger, AN-DC24 strap, UC-E24 USB cable, HDMI/USB cable clip, BS-1 shoe cover and BF-N1 body cap; current UK included-accessory tiles also list EH-7P UK adapter

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