Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9
79 Imaging
69 Features
80 Overall
73


51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
- Announced June 2021
(Full Review)
- 46MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
- Introduced October 2021

Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Overview
Lets examine more closely at the Nikon Z fc versus Nikon Z9, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are built by Nikon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and Z9 (46MP) and the Z fc (APS-C) and Z9 (Full frame) feature different sensor size.

The Z fc was announced 4 months before the Z9 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Z fc grades vs the Z9 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z fc & Nikon Z9. The whole galleries are available at Nikon Z fc Gallery & Nikon Z9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Nikon Z9
Z fc | Z9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Nikon Z fc
Z9 | Z fc | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 2089k | ![]() | 1040k | Sharper display (+1049k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Nikon Z9
Z fc | Z9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2021 | ![]() | October 2021 | Similar age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z fc provides external measurements of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") along with a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) and the Nikon Z9 has specifications of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") and a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).
Check the Nikon Z fc versus Nikon Z9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the Z fc compared to the Z9.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z fc and Z9 is 79 and 51 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Z fc and Z9.
Clearly, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z fc having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Nikon Z9 will give greater detail with its extra 25MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z9 Specifications
Nikon Z fc | Nikon Z9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon Z fc | Nikon Z9 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2021-06-28 | 2021-10-28 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 858.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21 megapixel | 46 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 8256 x 5504 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 25600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 204800 | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW format | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 32 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 209 | 493 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
Available lenses | 21 | 29 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dot | 2,089 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dot | 3,686 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.8x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 900s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | - |
Max quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.0fps | 30.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off | Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 7680x4320 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264, H.265 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Built-in |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 445g (0.98 lb) | 1340g (2.95 lb) |
Dimensions | 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") | 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | 740 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL25 | EN-EL18d |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) | Dual CFexpress Type B slots |
Storage slots | 1 | Dual |
Price at release | $949 | $5,500 |