Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
OM System
OM-5
Compact weather-sealed MFT for travel and outdoor photography.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2022
OM-5 is 1 year newer.
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Wins
Z9
Wins
OM-5
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BOM-5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 121)
- AZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- AZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AZ9 has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 200)
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-5
125 × 85 × 50 mm
414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)
Z9 is 24mm wider, 64mm taller, and 41mm thicker than OM-5.
Z9 is 746 g heavier than OM-5.
Depth (front-to-back): 91mm Z9 · 50mm OM-5
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-5
125 × 85 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-5
125 × 50 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
OM-5
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-5
✓ 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
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
AF points / zones
493 vs 121 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
ISO min (native)
64 vs 200 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
740 shots vs 310 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-5
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264, MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.3, 85.2, 49.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Weight
414 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Animals, Motorsports
IBIS effectiveness
6.5 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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-5
Pros
- ✓Compact
- ✓IP53 sealing
- ✓Computational features
Cons
- –No grip extension
- –MFT sensor
- –Single slot
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z9 and OM-5 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-5
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Z9 or OM-5?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 2.5/10 for OM-5 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Z9 and OM-5?
Z9 is 45.7 MP and OM-5 is 20.4 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z9 and OM-5 have in-body image stabilization?
Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-5 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z9 or the OM-5?
Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-5 reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z9 and OM-5?
Z9 weighs 1160 g and OM-5 weighs 414 g, so the OM-5 is 746 g lighter.
Do the Z9 and OM-5 record 4K video?
Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. OM-5: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the Z9 and OM-5 weather sealed?
Z9: Yes. OM-5: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Z9 and 310 shots for the OM-5, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z9 launched at $5,499 and OM-5 at $1,199. The OM-5 is $4,300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z9 vs OM-5 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.