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Canon

EOS R6

Original 20MP hybrid that proved Canon mirrorless could match Sony for AF and IBIS.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Jul 2020

vs
Z9

Nikon

Z9

Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.

$5,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Z9 is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

EOS R6

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

8categories

Z9

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

EOS R6 wins 2 categories·Z9 wins 3 categories
  • AEOS R6 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 120 frames)
  • BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
  • AEOS R6 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
  • BZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 20.1 MP)

Key specs at a glance

EOS R6Z9
Resolution20.1 MP45.7 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max102,40025,600
Burst20 fps120 fps
4K60 fps120 fps
IBIS8-stop6-stop
Weight720 g1160 g
Battery640 shots740 shots

Size and weight, to scale

EOS R6

138 × 98 × 88 mm

720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Z9 front view

Z9

149 × 150 × 91 mm

1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)

EOS R6 is 11mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 3mm thinner than Z9.

EOS R6 is 440 g lighter than Z9.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS R6 · 91mm Z9

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

EOS R6

138 × 98 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z9 back view

Z9

149 × 150 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

EOS R6

138 × 88 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z9 top view

Z9

149 × 91 mm

Sensor size, to scale

EOS R6

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Z9

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

EOS R6

✓ more lenses

Canon RF

105+

native lenses available

45 first-party60 third-party

Z9

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseEOS R6Z9
Portrait
6.5Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Wildlife
10.0Excellent✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

EOS R6

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal, Bird…

  • Burst (mechanical)

    12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265, H.264

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 98, 88

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    1053 vs 493 — higher is better

  • AA filter

    Only EOS R6 supports it

Reasons to choose

Z9

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 EV vs -6.5 EV — lower 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

  • RAW buffer depth

    1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better

  • Resolution

    45.7 MP vs 20.1 MP — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • Card slotsBoth 2

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

EOS R6

Pros

  • 20MP low-light king
  • 8-stop IBIS
  • 4K 60p
  • Proven AF

Cons

  • Superseded by R6 II
  • 20MP resolution
  • No 40fps

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 EOS R6 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

EOS R6
Z9
Resolution
20.1 MP
45.7 MP2.3× more
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 23.9 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
EOS R6
Z9
Processor
DIGIC X
EXPEED 7
EOS R6
Z9
ISO min (native)
100
64−36 less
ISO max (native)
102,400+2 stops
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
102,400
EOS R6
Z9
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Electronic only
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
N/A
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, EOS R6 or Z9?

EOS R6 scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z9 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the EOS R6 and Z9?

EOS R6 is 20.1 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the EOS R6 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?

EOS R6 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS R6 or the Z9?

EOS R6 reaches 20 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the EOS R6 and Z9?

EOS R6 weighs 720 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the EOS R6 is 440 g lighter.

Do the EOS R6 and Z9 record 4K video?

EOS R6: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the EOS R6 and Z9 weather sealed?

EOS R6: Yes. Z9: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the EOS R6 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.

How much does each cost?

EOS R6 launched at $2,499 and Z9 at $5,499. The EOS R6 is $3,000 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way EOS R6 vs Z9 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Canon and Nikon press materials.