Canon
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pro 30MP full-frame DSLR still used for weddings, events, and studio work.
$3,499
Released Aug 2016
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z9 is 5.2 years newer.
Wins
EOS 5D Mark IV
Wins
Z9
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS 5D Mark IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 7 fps)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 120 frames)
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 61)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 × 76 mm
890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
EOS 5D Mark IV is 33mm shorter and 15mm thinner than Z9 but it is also 2mm wider.
EOS 5D Mark IV is 450 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm EOS 5D Mark IV · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 116 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
EOS 5D Mark IV
151 × 76 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
EOS 5D Mark IV
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS 5D Mark IV
✓ more lensesCanon EF
300+
native lenses available
Z9
Nikon 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
EOS 5D Mark IV
Burst (mechanical)
7 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Motion JPEG, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 150.7, 116.4, 75.9
Card types
Adds CF, SD UHS-I
AA filter
Only EOS 5D Mark IV supports it
Weight
890 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
900 shots vs 740 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS 5D Mark IV
Pros
- ✓30MP proven sensor
- ✓Dual Pixel AF in live view
- ✓Rugged pro build
- ✓Huge EF lens ecosystem
Cons
- –DSLR platform aging
- –4K video limited
- –Heavy
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, EOS 5D Mark IV or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for EOS 5D Mark IV — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and Z9?
EOS 5D Mark IV is 30.4 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS 5D Mark IV and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS 5D Mark IV does not have IBIS, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS 5D Mark IV or the Z9?
EOS 5D Mark IV reaches 7 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS 5D Mark IV and Z9?
EOS 5D Mark IV weighs 890 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the EOS 5D Mark IV is 450 g lighter.
Do the EOS 5D Mark IV and Z9 record 4K video?
EOS 5D Mark IV: 4K up to 30p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the EOS 5D Mark IV and Z9 weather sealed?
EOS 5D Mark IV: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 900 shots (CIPA) for the EOS 5D Mark IV and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the EOS 5D Mark IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS 5D Mark IV launched at $3,499 and Z9 at $5,899. The EOS 5D Mark IV is $2,400 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.