Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z9

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z50 were released 2019 and Nikon Z9 was released 2021. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z50 2019
Nikon Z9 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z50 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon Z50 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z9 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z9 has a 120 % larger resolution than Nikon Z50. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z50. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon Z50 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z50 100-51200
Nikon Z9 32-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z50
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z9

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z50 11
Nikon Z9 30

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z9 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 198% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z9 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z9, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Name Nikon Z50 Nikon Z9
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Release Year 2019 2021
Release Date 2019-10-10 2021-10-28
MSRP 859 USD 5500 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS Full Stacked CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 7
Image
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
ISO Range 100 - 51200 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 12 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 6 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 209 493
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2088960
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 3686400
Photography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Frames per second 11 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Via app)
GPS No Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z9
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 740 shots
Width 127 mm 149 mm
Height 94 mm 150 mm
Depth 60 mm 91 mm
Weight 450 gram 1340 gram