Nikon
Z30
Compact APS-C Z mount for vloggers and beginners.
$709
Released Jun 2022
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z30 is 8 months newer.
Wins
Z30
Wins
Z9
Check current prices
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TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ30 has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AZ30 has lower Weight (350 g vs 1340 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z30
128 × 74 × 60 mm
350 g (0.77 lb / 12.35 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
Z30 is 21mm narrower, 76mm shorter, and 31mm thinner than Z9.
Z30 is 990 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Z30 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z30
128 × 74 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z30
128 × 60 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z30
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 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
Z30
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
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
Z30
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128, 73.5, 59.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Weight
350 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
AA filter
Only Z30 supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -4.5 EV — lower is better
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
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — 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
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z30
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Vlog features
- ✓Compact
Cons
- –No EVF
- –No IBIS
- –Single slot
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z30 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z30 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Z30 and Z9?
Z30 is 20.9 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z30 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
Z30 does not have IBIS, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z30 or the Z9?
Z30 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z30 and Z9?
Z30 weighs 350 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the Z30 is 990 g lighter.
Do the Z30 and Z9 record 4K video?
Z30: 4K up to 30p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z30 and Z9 weather sealed?
Z30: No. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 330 shots (CIPA) for the Z30 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z30 launched at $709 and Z9 at $5,899. The Z30 is $5,190 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.