GoPro
HERO11 Black
GoPro flagship with an 8:7 27MP sensor, 5.3K60 video, HyperSmooth 5.0 with Horizon Lock, dual screens, and 10m waterproof body.
$499
Launch priceReleased Sep 2022
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
HERO11 Black is 10 months newer.
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Wins
HERO11 Black
Wins
Z9
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 0)
- AHERO11 Black has lower Weight (154 g vs 1160 g)
- BZ9 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 6,400)
- AHERO11 Black has higher 1080p max frame rate (240 fps vs 120 fps)
- BZ9 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareHERO11 Black
72 × 51 × 34 mm
154 g (0.34 lb / 5.43 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
HERO11 Black is 77mm narrower, 99mm shorter, and 57mm thinner than Z9.
HERO11 Black is 1006 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 34mm HERO11 Black · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
HERO11 Black
72 × 51 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.
HERO11 Black
72 × 34 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
HERO11 Black: 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
HERO11 Black
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC)
Stabilization modes
Adds HyperSmooth 5.0, 360° Horizon Lock, AutoBoost
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 71.8, 50.8, 33.6
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
154 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
1080p max frame rate
240 fps vs 120 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
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
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 6,400 — higher is better
Eye AF
Only Z9 supports it
Animal / bird AF
Only Z9 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
HERO11 Black
Pros
- ✓8:7 sensor for vertical + horizontal framing
- ✓5.3K60 and 4K120 video
- ✓HyperSmooth 5.0 + Horizon Lock
- ✓Dual LCD screens
- ✓Enduro battery included
Cons
- –Superseded by HERO12/13
- –Fixed lens
- –No burst slo-mo like HERO13
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 HERO11 Black and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
GoPro HERO11 Black
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, HERO11 Black or Z9?
Z9 scores 8.5/10 versus 2.0/10 for HERO11 Black — 45.7MP — excellent for large prints and crops.
What's the resolution difference between the HERO11 Black and Z9?
HERO11 Black is 27.6 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the HERO11 Black and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
HERO11 Black uses HyperSmooth 5.0 (electronic), while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the HERO11 Black and Z9?
HERO11 Black weighs 154 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the HERO11 Black is 1006 g lighter.
Do the HERO11 Black and Z9 record 4K video?
HERO11 Black: 4K up to 120p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the HERO11 Black and Z9 weather sealed?
HERO11 Black: Yes. Z9: Yes.
How much does each cost?
HERO11 Black launched at $499 and Z9 at $5,499. The HERO11 Black is $5,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way HERO11 Black vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of GoPro and Nikon press materials.