Nikon
COOLPIX P950
83x super-telephoto bridge camera with a 24-2000mm equivalent lens, 16MP CMOS sensor, RAW, and 4K UHD video.
$799
Released Jan 2020
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z9 is 1.8 years newer.
Wins
COOLPIX P950
Wins
Z9
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- ACOOLPIX P950 has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 1,600)
- BZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 16 MP)
- BZ9 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (740 shots vs 290 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
COOLPIX P950
140 × 110 × 150 mm
1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
COOLPIX P950 is 9mm narrower and 40mm shorter than Z9 but it is also 59mm thicker.
COOLPIX P950 is 335 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 150mm COOLPIX P950 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
COOLPIX P950
140 × 110 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
COOLPIX P950
140 × 150 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
COOLPIX P950: 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
COOLPIX P950
Subject recognition
Adds Face priority, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF
Burst (mechanical)
7 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 140.2, 109.6, 149.8
Card types
Adds SD / SDHC / SDXC
AA filter
Only COOLPIX P950 supports it
Weight
1005 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
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 1,600 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 16 MP — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
740 shots vs 290 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 120 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
COOLPIX P950
Pros
- ✓83x 24-2000mm optical zoom
- ✓4K UHD video
- ✓RAW still support
- ✓OLED EVF
Cons
- –Small 1/2.3-inch sensor
- –Bulky bridge body
- –Contrast-detect AF only
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 COOLPIX P950 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
Nikon COOLPIX P950
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, COOLPIX P950 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for COOLPIX P950 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the COOLPIX P950 and Z9?
COOLPIX P950 is 16 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the COOLPIX P950 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
COOLPIX P950 does not have IBIS, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the COOLPIX P950 or the Z9?
COOLPIX P950 reaches 120 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the COOLPIX P950 and Z9?
COOLPIX P950 weighs 1005 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the COOLPIX P950 is 335 g lighter.
Do the COOLPIX P950 and Z9 record 4K video?
COOLPIX P950: 4K up to 30p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the COOLPIX P950 and Z9 weather sealed?
COOLPIX P950: No. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 290 shots (CIPA) for the COOLPIX P950 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
COOLPIX P950 launched at $799 and Z9 at $5,899. The COOLPIX P950 is $5,100 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.