Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
OM System
OM-3
Retro-styled MFT body with modern AF and creator-friendly design.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
OM-3 is 3.3 years newer.
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Wins
Z9
Wins
OM-3
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BOM-3 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ9 has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 200)
- BOM-3 has lower Weight (413 g vs 1160 g)
- AZ9 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 20.4 MP)
- BOM-3 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 493)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
OM-3
139 × 89 × 46 mm
413 g (0.91 lb / 14.57 oz)
Z9 is 10mm wider, 61mm taller, and 45mm thicker than OM-3.
Z9 is 747 g heavier than OM-3.
Depth (front-to-back): 91mm Z9 · 46mm OM-3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-3
139 × 89 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-3
139 × 46 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
OM-3
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z9
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
OM-3
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
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
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -5.5 EV — lower is better
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
ISO min (native)
64 vs 200 — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Dogs, Cats, Cars…
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 20.4 MP — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-3
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264, H.265, MOV…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139.3, 88.9, 45.8
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Weight
413 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
AF points / zones
1053 vs 493 — higher is better
EVF magnification
1.23 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Animals, Motorsports
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 120 fps
- ✓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.
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
OM-3
Pros
- ✓Retro design
- ✓Modern AF
- ✓Compact
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Premium for MFT
- –Smaller lens selection
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z9 and OM-3 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-3
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z9 or OM-3?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 2.5/10 for OM-3 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Z9 and OM-3?
Z9 is 45.7 MP and OM-3 is 20.4 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z9 and OM-3 have in-body image stabilization?
Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-3 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z9 or the OM-3?
Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-3 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z9 and OM-3?
Z9 weighs 1160 g and OM-3 weighs 413 g, so the OM-3 is 747 g lighter.
Do the Z9 and OM-3 record 4K video?
Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. OM-3: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the Z9 and OM-3 weather sealed?
Z9: Yes. OM-3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Z9 and 640 shots for the OM-3, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z9 launched at $5,499 and OM-3 at $1,699. The OM-3 is $3,800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z9 vs OM-3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and OM System press materials.