Blackmagic
URSA Cine 17K
Large-format 65mm cinema camera with 17K resolution, interchangeable lens mount, and BRAW recording.
$29,995
Launch priceReleased Apr 2024
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
URSA Cine 17K is 2.5 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
URSA Cine 17K
Wins
Z9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ9 has lower AF low-light limit (-8.5 EV vs 0 EV)
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 0)
- AURSA Cine 17K has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has lower Weight (1160 g vs 8500 g)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareURSA Cine 17K
280 × 190 × 200 mm
8500 g (18.74 lb / 299.83 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
URSA Cine 17K is 131mm wider, 41mm taller, and 110mm thicker than Z9.
URSA Cine 17K is 7340 g heavier than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 200mm URSA Cine 17K · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
URSA Cine 17K
280 × 190 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
URSA Cine 17K
280 × 200 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
URSA Cine 17K
55.96 × 29.87 mm · Full Frame
1672 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
1.9× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
URSA Cine 17K: mount data unavailable
Z9
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
URSA Cine 17K
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Blackmagic RAW
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 280, 190, 200
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only URSA Cine 17K supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 0 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
Weight
1160 g vs 8500 g — lower is better
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 64
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
URSA Cine 17K
Pros
- ✓17K large format
- ✓Interchangeable mount
- ✓Blackmagic RAW
- ✓Pro cinema workflow
Cons
- –Extremely expensive
- –Massive files
- –Requires full crew
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the URSA Cine 17K and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, URSA Cine 17K or Z9?
URSA Cine 17K scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z9 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the URSA Cine 17K and Z9?
URSA Cine 17K is 65 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the URSA Cine 17K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the URSA Cine 17K and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
URSA Cine 17K has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the URSA Cine 17K or the Z9?
URSA Cine 17K reaches 30 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the URSA Cine 17K and Z9?
URSA Cine 17K weighs 8500 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the Z9 is 7340 g lighter.
Do the URSA Cine 17K and Z9 record 4K video?
URSA Cine 17K: 4K up to 120p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the URSA Cine 17K and Z9 weather sealed?
URSA Cine 17K: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the URSA Cine 17K and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
URSA Cine 17K launched at $29,995 and Z9 at $5,499. The Z9 is $24,496 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way URSA Cine 17K vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Blackmagic and Nikon press materials.