Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 7.3 years newer.
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Wins
D810
Wins
Z9
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD810 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 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZ9 has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 100)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
D810 is 3mm narrower, 27mm shorter, and 9mm thinner than Z9.
D810 is 180 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 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.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
✓ 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
D810
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 123, 82
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Weight
980 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher 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 120 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 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.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
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 D810 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D810 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for D810 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and Z9?
D810 is 36.3 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D810 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
D810 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the Z9?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and Z9?
D810 weighs 980 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the D810 is 180 g lighter.
Do the D810 and Z9 record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D810 and Z9 weather sealed?
D810: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D810 launched at $3,299 and Z9 at $5,499. The D810 is $2,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 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.