Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800 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)

Resolution

Nikon Z9 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 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
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon Z9 has a 26 % larger resolution than Nikon D800. 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 D800. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Nikon D800 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 Nikon D800

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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Nikon D800 6

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 D800 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 49% heavier than Nikon D800 and its 900 gr (or 1.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Nikon D800, 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 D800
Name Nikon Z9 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Release Year 2021 2012
Release Date 2021-10-28 2012-02-07
MSRP 5500 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type Full Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 12
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 D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 51
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 2088960 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Frames per second 30 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 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
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
MPEG4
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 Yes
Storage
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
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
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 900 shots
Width 149 mm 146 mm
Height 150 mm 123 mm
Depth 91 mm 82 mm
Weight 1340 gram 900 gram