Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS R3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS R3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z9 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R3 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2021.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Canon EOS R3 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS R3 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon Z9 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R3 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 R3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon Z9 has a 89 % larger resolution than Canon EOS R3. 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 R3. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Canon EOS R3 has 100 to 102400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Canon EOS R3 100-102400

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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R3 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z9
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R3

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 R3 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Canon EOS R3 30

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 R3 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 32% heavier than Canon EOS R3 and its 1015 gr (or 2.24 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Canon EOS R3 1015 gr
2.24 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS R3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Canon EOS R3, 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 R3
Name Nikon Z9 Canon EOS R3
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Release Year 2021 2021
Release Date 2021-10-28 2021-04-14
MSRP 5500 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type Full Stacked CMOS Stacked CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 DIGIC X
Image
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes No
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
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 1053
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

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
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 Z9
Canon EOS R3
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2088960 4150000
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 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 5760000
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Frames per second 30 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/8000 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
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 R3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
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)
Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Canon EOS R3
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 760 shots
Width 149 mm 150 mm
Height 150 mm 143 mm
Depth 91 mm 87 mm
Weight 1340 gram 1015 gram