Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Xtra
Sphra360
8K 360-degree camera with 1/1.1-inch CMOS sensor, 100MP panoramic photos, 5K single-lens mode, 10-bit X-Log, 105GB built-in storage, and Bullet Time up to 240fps.
$329
Launch priceReleased Nov 2025
Sphra360 is 4 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
Z9
Wins
Sphra360
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 0)
- BSphra360 has lower Weight (181 g vs 1160 g)
- BSphra360 has higher Resolution (100 MP vs 45.7 MP)
- BSphra360 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- AZ9 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
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
Sphra360
61 × 36 × 81 mm
181 g (0.40 lb / 6.38 oz)
Z9 is 88mm wider, 113mm taller, and 10mm thicker than Sphra360.
Z9 is 979 g heavier than Sphra360.
Depth (front-to-back): 91mm Z9 · 81mm Sphra360
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Sphra360
61 × 36 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
Sphra360
61 × 81 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z9
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Sphra360: mount data unavailable
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 points / zones
493 vs 0 — higher 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
Eye AF
Only Z9 supports it
Animal / bird AF
Only Z9 supports it
Internal RAW video
Only Z9 supports it
Reasons to choose
Sphra360
Codecs
Adds H.265 (HEVC), XTV (360 format)
Stabilization modes
Adds MotionMaster, 360 Horizon Lock
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 61.3, 36.3, 81
Card types
Adds microSD
Weight
181 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
Resolution
100 MP vs 45.7 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓IBIS effectiveness — Both 6 stops
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓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.
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Sphra360
Pros
- ✓8K 360 video, 100MP 360 photos
- ✓1/1.1-inch sensor with f/1.9
- ✓5K 60fps single-lens mode
- ✓105GB built-in + 1TB microSD
Cons
- –~100 min battery
- –360° stitching needed
- –10m waterproof only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z9 and Sphra360 at major authorized retailers.
Xtra Sphra360
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Z9 or Sphra360?
Z9 scores 8.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for Sphra360 — 45.7MP — excellent for large prints and crops.
What's the resolution difference between the Z9 and Sphra360?
Z9 is 45.7 MP and Sphra360 is 100 MP, so the Sphra360 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z9 and Sphra360 have in-body image stabilization?
Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Sphra360 uses Electronic stabilization (MotionMaster + FlowState 360) (electronic).
What's the weight difference between the Z9 and Sphra360?
Z9 weighs 1160 g and Sphra360 weighs 181 g, so the Sphra360 is 979 g lighter.
Do the Z9 and Sphra360 record 4K video?
Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. Sphra360: 8K 360 (panoramic) (max), 4K up to 100p.
Are the Z9 and Sphra360 weather sealed?
Z9: Yes. Sphra360: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Z9 and 640 shots for the Sphra360, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z9 launched at $5,499 and Sphra360 at $329. The Sphra360 is $5,170 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z9 vs Sphra360 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Xtra press materials.