Nikon
D5200
Mid-range 24MP DX DSLR with 39-point AF, articulating vari-angle LCD, 1080p60 video, and no OLPF sensor.
$799
Launch priceReleased Nov 2012
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 9 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
D5200
Wins
Z9
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5200 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- AD5200 has lower Weight (520 g vs 1160 g)
- BZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5200
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
D5200 is 11mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 3mm thinner than Z9.
D5200 is 640 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5200 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5200
138 × 98 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.
D5200
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5200
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5200
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
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
D5200
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
6 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
Weight
520 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
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 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z9 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5200
Pros
- ✓39-point AF (9 cross-type)
- ✓Articulating vari-angle LCD
- ✓24.1MP no OLPF sensor
- ✓1080p60 video
- ✓Good step-up from D3xxx
Cons
- –Single SD slot
- –No 4K
- –Superseded by D5300/D5500/D5600
- –DSLR platform declining
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 D5200 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D5200 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for D5200 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the D5200 and Z9?
D5200 is 24.1 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5200 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
D5200 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5200 or the Z9?
D5200 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5200 and Z9?
D5200 weighs 520 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the D5200 is 640 g lighter.
Do the D5200 and Z9 record 4K video?
D5200: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5200 and Z9 weather sealed?
D5200: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5200 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5200 launched at $799 and Z9 at $5,499. The D5200 is $4,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5200 vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.