Nikon Z9 vs Nikon Z fc

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

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

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

Nikon Z9 has a 120 % larger resolution than Nikon Z fc. 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 Z fc. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon Z fc has 100 to 51200.

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 Nikon Z fc

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 Nikon Z fc can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z fc 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 201% heavier than Nikon Z fc and its 445 gr (or 0.98 lb).

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon Z fc Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z fc, 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	Nikon Z fc
Name	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Release Year	2021	2021
Release Date	2021-10-28	2021-06-29
MSRP	5500 USD	959 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Camera Type	Mirrorless	Mirrorless
Sensor	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	Full Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	8256 x 5504 pixels	5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels	46 MP	21 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 7	EXPEED 6
Image	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
ISO Range	32 - 102400	100 - 51200
White Balance Presets	9	8
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	Nikon Z fc
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	209
Lens Mount	Nikon Z See Compatible Lenses	Nikon Z 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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
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	Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8x	1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	3686400	2360000
Photography features	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Frames per second	30 fps	11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/32000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	No
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	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 steps)
Videography features	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
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	Nikon Z fc
Memory Card	Compact Flash Express XQD	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
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 (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control	Yes (Via app)	Yes (via smartphone)
GPS	Yes Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z9	Nikon Z fc
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)	EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	740 shots	300 shots
Width	149 mm	135 mm
Height	150 mm	94 mm
Depth	91 mm	44 mm
Weight	1340 gram	445 gram