JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 2.2 years newer.
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Wins
GY-HC500U
Wins
Z9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 0)
- AGY-HC500U has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 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)
- BZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 9.35 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
GY-HC500U is 15mm narrower, 59mm shorter, and 19mm thinner than Z9.
GY-HC500U is 580 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GY-HC500U · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 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.
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GY-HC500U: 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
GY-HC500U
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Weight
580 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -3 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
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
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 GY-HC500U and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
JVC GY-HC500U
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, GY-HC500U or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for GY-HC500U — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the GY-HC500U and Z9?
GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GY-HC500U and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GY-HC500U or the Z9?
GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GY-HC500U and Z9?
GY-HC500U weighs 580 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the GY-HC500U is 580 g lighter.
Do the GY-HC500U and Z9 record 4K video?
GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the GY-HC500U and Z9 weather sealed?
GY-HC500U: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GY-HC500U and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
GY-HC500U launched at $3,395 and Z9 at $5,499. The GY-HC500U is $2,104 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GY-HC500U vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of JVC and Nikon press materials.