Nikon
Df
Retro-styled full-frame DSLR with 16MP sensor, classic dials, and F-mount compatibility.
$2,749
Launch priceReleased Nov 2013
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 8 years newer.
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Wins
Df
Wins
Z9
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ADf has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 16.2 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareDf
144 × 110 × 67 mm
710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
Df is 5mm narrower, 40mm shorter, and 24mm thinner than Z9.
Df is 450 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 67mm Df · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Df
144 × 110 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.
Df
144 × 67 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Df
36 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
860 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Df
✓ 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
Df
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 144, 110, 67
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Weight
710 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…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
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
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 16.2 MP — higher is better
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
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Df
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓Classic F-mount lenses
- ✓16MP low-light files
- ✓Compact for FF DSLR
Cons
- –Discontinued
- –16MP resolution
- –Slow AF by modern standards
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 Df 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 landscape, Df or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for Df — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Df and Z9?
Df is 16.2 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Df and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
Df does not have IBIS, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Df or the Z9?
Df reaches 15 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Df and Z9?
Df weighs 710 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the Df is 450 g lighter.
Do the Df and Z9 record 4K video?
Df: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Df and Z9 weather sealed?
Df: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Df and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Df launched at $2,749 and Z9 at $5,499. The Df is $2,750 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Df 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.