Nikon
Z50 II
Updated APS-C Z body with improved AF and video for enthusiasts.
$999
Released Dec 2024
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z50 II is 3.1 years newer.
Wins
Z50 II
Wins
Z9
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ50 II 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 30 fps)
- AZ50 II has lower Weight (495 g vs 1340 g)
- BZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 20.9 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z50 II
127 × 97 × 67 mm
495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
Z50 II is 22mm narrower, 53mm shorter, and 24mm thinner than Z9.
Z50 II is 845 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 67mm Z50 II · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z50 II
127 × 97 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z50 II
127 × 67 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z50 II
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
Z50 II
✓ 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
Z50 II
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 127, 96.8, 66.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Weight
495 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
AA filter
Only Z50 II supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
EVF magnification
1.02 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
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 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 20.9 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 231 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z50 II
Pros
- ✓Improved AF
- ✓Compact DSLR-style grip
- ✓Good value
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Single slot
- –APS-C
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, Z50 II or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z50 II — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Z50 II and Z9?
Z50 II is 20.9 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z50 II and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
Z50 II does not have IBIS, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z50 II or the Z9?
Z50 II reaches 30 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z50 II and Z9?
Z50 II weighs 495 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the Z50 II is 845 g lighter.
Do the Z50 II and Z9 record 4K video?
Z50 II: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z50 II and Z9 weather sealed?
Z50 II: No. Z9: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Z50 II launched at $999 and Z9 at $5,899. The Z50 II is $4,900 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.