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Nikon Z9 Vs D5: Mirrorless Vs Dslr – Who Will Come Out On Top?

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • The Nikon Z9 and D5 are both capable of shooting at high frame rates, but the Z9 has a clear advantage in this area.
  • The Nikon Z9 and D5 both offer excellent video capabilities, but the Z9 has a few more features that make it a better choice for videographers.
  • The Nikon Z9 is a better choice for videography, as it can record 8K video at up to 30 fps and has a built-in microphone input.

The Nikon Z9 and Nikon D5 are two of the most advanced and capable cameras on the market today. Both cameras offer incredible image quality, blazing-fast performance, and a wide range of features that make them ideal for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. But which one is the better choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Nikon Z9 and Nikon D5 head-to-head to help you decide.

Sensor and Image Quality

The Nikon Z9 and D5 both feature full-frame sensors, but there are some key differences between the two. The Z9 has a 45.7-megapixel sensor, while the D5 has a 20.8-megapixel sensor. This means that the Z9 can capture images with more detail and resolution than the D5. However, the D5’s larger pixels give it an advantage in low-light conditions, as they are able to capture more light.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z9 and D5 both offer excellent autofocus systems, but the Z9’s is more advanced. The Z9 has a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus points, while the D5 only has a phase-detection autofocus system. This gives the Z9 a significant advantage in terms of speed and accuracy, especially in low-light conditions.

Continuous Shooting

The Nikon Z9 and D5 are both capable of shooting at high frame rates, but the Z9 has a clear advantage in this area. The Z9 can shoot at up to 20 frames per second (fps) with full autofocus and autoexposure, while the D5 can only shoot at up to 14 fps. This makes the Z9 a better choice for photographers who need to capture fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife.

Video

The Nikon Z9 and D5 both offer excellent video capabilities, but the Z9 has a few more features that make it a better choice for videographers. The Z9 can record 8K video at up to 30 fps, while the D5 can only record 4K video at up to 30 fps. The Z9 also has a built-in microphone input, which the D5 lacks.

Body and Design

The Nikon Z9 and D5 are both well-built cameras, but they have different designs. The Z9 is a mirrorless camera, which means that it has a more compact body than the D5. The D5 is a DSLR camera, which means that it has a larger body with a traditional optical viewfinder.

Price

The Nikon Z9 is a more expensive camera than the D5. The Z9 body costs $5,999, while the D5 body costs $4,999. However, the Z9 offers a number of advantages over the D5, such as a higher-resolution sensor, more advanced autofocus system, faster continuous shooting, and better video capabilities.

Key Points: The Nikon Z9 is the Clear Winner

The Nikon Z9 is the clear winner in this comparison. It offers a higher-resolution sensor, more advanced autofocus system, faster continuous shooting, better video capabilities, and a more compact body than the D5. While the D5 is a capable camera, the Z9 is simply a better choice for most photographers.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Which camera is better for low-light photography, the Nikon Z9 or the Nikon D5?

A: The Nikon D5 has an advantage in low-light conditions, as its larger pixels are able to capture more light.

Q: Which camera is better for sports and wildlife photography, the Nikon Z9 or the Nikon D5?

A: The Nikon Z9 is a better choice for sports and wildlife photography, as it can shoot at up to 20 fps with full autofocus and autoexposure.

Q: Which camera is better for videography, the Nikon Z9 or the Nikon D5?

A: The Nikon Z9 is a better choice for videography, as it can record 8K video at up to 30 fps and has a built-in microphone input.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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