Nikon
Z6
Original 24MP Z hybrid that launched the Z system.
$1,999
Released Aug 2018
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z9 is 3.2 years newer.
Wins
Z6
Wins
Z9
2 categories tied
Check current prices
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TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ6 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 12 fps)
- BZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ9 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (740 shots vs 310 shots)
- AZ6 has lower Weight (585 g vs 1340 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z6
134 × 101 × 68 mm
585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
Z6 is 15mm narrower, 49mm shorter, and 23mm thinner than Z9.
Z6 is 755 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 68mm Z6 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z6
134 × 101 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z6
134 × 68 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z6
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z6
✓ 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
Z6
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 100.5, 67.5
Weight
585 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
AA filter
Only Z6 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 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Dogs, Cats…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
740 shots vs 310 shots — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Z9 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓EVF resolution — Both 3,690,000
- ✓EVF magnification — Both 0.8 ×
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z6
Pros
- ✓Historic value
- ✓Solid hybrid
- ✓Affordable used
Cons
- –Very dated now
- –Single slot
- –Limited video
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 sports, Z6 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for Z6 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z6 and Z9?
Z6 is 24.5 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z6 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
Z6 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z6 or the Z9?
Z6 reaches 12 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z6 and Z9?
Z6 weighs 585 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the Z6 is 755 g lighter.
Do the Z6 and Z9 record 4K video?
Z6: 4K up to 30p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z6 and Z9 weather sealed?
Z6: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 310 shots (CIPA) for the Z6 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z6 launched at $1,999 and Z9 at $5,899. The Z6 is $3,900 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.