Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z9 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 500D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Canon EOS 500D was released 2009. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Canon EOS 500D 2009

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 500D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 500D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon Z9 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 500D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Canon EOS 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Nikon Z9 has a 202 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. 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 Canon EOS 500D. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS 500D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Canon EOS 500D 100-12800

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 Z9
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 500D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Canon EOS 500D 3,4

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 500D 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 158% heavier than Canon EOS 500D and its 520 gr (or 1.15 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 500D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 500D, 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 Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Name Nikon Z9 Canon EOS 500D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Release Year 2021 2009
Release Date 2021-10-28 2009-03-25
MSRP 5500 USD 1599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type Full Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 9
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2088960 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Frames per second 30 fps 3,4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 500D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 440 shots
Width 149 mm 129 mm
Height 150 mm 98 mm
Depth 91 mm 62 mm
Weight 1340 gram 520 gram