Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Pentax
K-1
Original 36MP full-frame Pentax DSLR with 5-axis SR, AA filter simulator, and weather sealing.
$1,799
Launch priceReleased Apr 2016
Z9 is 5.5 years newer.
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Wins
Z9
Wins
K-1
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BK-1 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 120 frames)
- AZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- AZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 101)
- AZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
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
K-1
137 × 111 × 87 mm
1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)
Z9 is 12mm wider, 39mm taller, and 4mm thicker than K-1.
Z9 is 150 g heavier than K-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 91mm Z9 · 87mm K-1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
K-1
137 × 111 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
K-1
137 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
K-1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z9
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
K-1
Pentax K
70+
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 -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
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
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 101 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-1
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 137, 110.5, 86.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only K-1 supports it
Weight
1010 g vs 1160 g — lower 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
K-1
Pros
- ✓36MP full-frame
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
- ✓AA filter simulator
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Slow AF vs mirrorless
- –Heavy
- –Superseded by K-1 II
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z9 and K-1 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z9 or K-1?
Z9 scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for K-1 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z9 and K-1?
Z9 is 45.7 MP and K-1 is 36.4 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z9 and K-1 have in-body image stabilization?
Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-1 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z9 or the K-1?
Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic. K-1 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z9 and K-1?
Z9 weighs 1160 g and K-1 weighs 1010 g, so the K-1 is 150 g lighter.
Do the Z9 and K-1 record 4K video?
Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. K-1: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z9 and K-1 weather sealed?
Z9: Yes. K-1: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Z9 and 640 shots for the K-1, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z9 launched at $5,499 and K-1 at $1,799. The K-1 is $3,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z9 vs K-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Pentax press materials.