Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 850D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 850D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z9 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 850D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Canon EOS 850D was released 2020. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Canon EOS 850D 2020

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 850D 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 850D 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 850D 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 850D has 24 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 850D 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon Z9 has a 89 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 850D. 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 850D. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS 850D has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Canon EOS 850D 100-25600

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 850D

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 850D can shoot up to 7,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Canon EOS 850D 7,5

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 850D 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 160% heavier than Canon EOS 850D and its 515 gr (or 1.14 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS 850D 515 gr
1.14 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS 850D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS 850D, 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 850D
Name Nikon Z9 Canon EOS 850D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Release Year 2021 2020
Release Date 2021-10-28 2020-02-12
MSRP 5500 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
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 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 DIGIC 8
Image
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 45
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 850D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2088960 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 0
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Frames per second 30 fps 7,5 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 4 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
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (via wireless remote or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS 850D
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 800 shots
Width 149 mm 131 mm
Height 150 mm 103 mm
Depth 91 mm 76 mm
Weight 1340 gram 515 gram