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Nikon Z5IIC vs Nikon Z 9

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ5IICNikonZ 9
Overview
ReleasedComing 15 October 2026December 2021
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBackside-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; image-dust-off reference data requires 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 HEIF recording14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailStandard SDR still-image ISO 100–64000; expanded equivalent ISO 50–204800. HLG stills start at ISO 400.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; compatible NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain 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 AF positions or 299 auto-area positions in FX still-image mode; 3D tracking. Maker low-light limit −10 EV uses AF-S, centre point, 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 focal-plane, electronic first-curtain and electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time; manual exposures extend to 900 seconds; flash sync 1/200 secondElectronic 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 detailC30 high-speed frame capture reaches approximately 30 fps with pre-capture. Ordinary extended continuous shooting reaches approximately 14 fps or 15 fps with silent mode, for formats excluding RAW. Standard high-speed mechanical shooting reaches 7.8 fps. Figures are Nikon test-condition maxima.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; Nikon claims up to 7.5 stops at centre and 6 stops at frame periphery under CIPA 2024 yaw/pitch/roll testing with NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at its telephoto end in NORMAL modeFive-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
FlashISO 518 hot shoe; i-TTL and Auto FP high-speed sync with compatible external SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 threaded sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and 15 scene modes; still-image exposure compensation ±5 EV; Imaging Recipes and film-grain effectsP/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 detailJapanese maker specification lists FX N-RAW 4032 × 2268 at up to 30p, DX N-RAW 3984 × 2240 at up to 30p, and conventional 3840 × 2160 up to 60p with a DX crop at 50p/60p. Nikon UK marketing describes 4K 60p N-RAW, conflicting with that detailed table; the main video fields follow the explicit Japanese RAW table. Full HD reaches 120p. H.265 8/10-bit, H.264 and 12-bit N-RAW; N-Log, HLG, REC lamp, waveform and USB UVC/UAC webcam support. Maximum single recording claim is 125 minutes, subject to temperature, battery and card 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; 3.5 mm external microphone input and headphone output; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4Built-in stereo microphones; 24-bit PCM recording, external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoring; AAC used for MP4
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots1,040,0002,100,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count display subpixelsFour-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailFlat-top design without an electronic or optical viewfinder0.5-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 weight538 g1160 g
Release detailAnnounced globally on 24 September 2026. Nikon UK's body-only store states preorder shipping on 15 October 2026; Japan specifies 23 October 2026. Dates are planned availability, not completed retail sales.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 mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards with UHS-II supportTwo 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; headphone socket also accepts MC-DC3 remote release with automatic function switchingUSB-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 still photographs with power saving enabled or 350 without, using NIKKOR Z 24–50mm f/4–6.3. Movie battery-life claim approximately 85 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a are compatible with shorter endurance.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 with optional EH-8P and USB-C cable; EN-EL15c/15b can be charged in camera. Nikon UK's body-only store 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 134.0 × 80.5 × 72.0 mmApproximately 149 × 149.5 × 90.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 538 g body only or 620 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover. Nikon corrected the Japanese printed catalogue's erroneous 619 g figure on 28 September 2026.Approximately 1160 g body only or 1340 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover
MaterialsMagnesium alloy in key body areas; dust- and drip-resistant design, without a guarantee in every situationWeather-sealed magnesium-alloy body with integrated vertical grip; maker operating range −10°C to 40°C
ColoursBlack or silver–
In the boxJapanese exact-model specification lists EN-EL15c, AN-DC26 strap, USB-C cable, BS-1 shoe cover and BF-N1 body cap. The UK page also lists a DK-29 viewfinder eyepiece despite the camera having no viewfinder; that conflicting accessory is omitted here.EN-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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