Nikon Z9 vs Nikon Z6 II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z6 II. 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 Z6 II 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
Nikon Z6 II 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

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 Z6 II 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 Z6 II has 25 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 Z6 II 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon Z9 has a 87 % larger resolution than Nikon Z6 II. 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 Z6 II. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon Z6 II has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Nikon Z6 II 100-51200

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 Z6 II

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 Z6 II can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Nikon Z6 II 14

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 Z6 II 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 90% heavier than Nikon Z6 II and its 705 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Nikon Z6 II 705 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon Z6 II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z6 II, 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 Z6 II
Name Nikon Z9 Nikon Z6 II
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
Release Year 2021 2020
Release Date 2021-10-28 2020-10-14
MSRP 5500 USD 1995 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 25 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 DUAL EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
ISO Range 32 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
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 493 273
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
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 Z6 II
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2088960 2100000
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 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 3690000
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
Frames per second 30 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
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 Z6 II
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
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 MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Nikon Z6 II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 410 shots
Width 149 mm 134 mm
Height 150 mm 101 mm
Depth 91 mm 70 mm
Weight 1340 gram 705 gram