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Fujifilm X-T4 vs Nikon Z9 Comparison

Optics
Video
Features
Storage & Battery

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4
76%

Nikon Z9

Nikon Z9 camera
Winner!
87%
Fujifilm X-T4
vs
Nikon Z9
Price
Brand
Fujifilm
Nikon
Model
X-T4
Z9
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2020
2021
Announcement Date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
February 26, 2020
October 28, 2021
Camera Type
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Camera Size
Camera Weight

Nikon Z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 Overview

If you only compare these mirrorless cameras’ technical specifications, the full frame Nikon Z9 is the clear winner. As you can see below, it has better resolution, frame rates, and autofocus tracking.

However, Nikon Z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 isn’t really a fair comparison.

The Fujifilm X-T4 has a smaller APS-C sensor, not a full-frame sensor. So it occupies a different niche among mirrorless cameras. This means there still are a few reasons why you might prefer it:

  • It’s much smaller.
  • It’s 733 g lighter.
  • It has a wider range of available lenses.
  • It has a selfie screen.
  • It has a flash sync port.
  • It’s available in silver.
  • It’s less than half the Nikon Z9 price!

If none of these things means much to you, then feel free to go ahead and buy the Nikon Z9. Otherwise, you might want to read this article first.

Portrait of a woman outside taken with a Fujifilm X-T4
Taken with a Fujifilm XT-4. Sonny Mauricio (Unsplash.com)

Body and Handling

Fujifilm designs its cameras to be a joy to use. This is the key selling point of the Fujifilm X-T4.

It’s an APS-C camera and doesn’t have an integrated battery grip like the Nikon Z9. So it’s much smaller and lighter.

That goes for the lenses, too. This might be important if you’re a street photographer or don’t want to lug around a bag of heavy camera equipment.

Nikon z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 comparison image

Nikon Z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 Optics

Few APS-C cameras will provide higher image quality than a full-frame Nikon. But, again, it depends on what you’re looking for.

The Nikon Z9 is one of the best mirrorless models on the market. It’s comparable to other cameras such as the Canon EOS R5 or the Sony a1.

Not only does it have a high-resolution sensor, but the individual pixels are 33% bigger. This gives the Z9 an advantage in low light.

But the Fujifilm X-T4 is designed for portrait photography, not landscape photography or wildlife photography. The colors and soft contrast levels work better with skin tones.

Besides the physical size and weight, the Nikon Z9’s specs are much more impressive than the Fujifilm X-T4’s.

It offers a larger sensor with larger pixels, eye tracking,  a wider ISO range, and more focus points. It also boasts a faster frame rate (with both the mechanical shutter and the electronic shutter) and a focus stacking feature.

But both the Z9 and X-T4 have face and eye detection, sensor-shift image stabilization, AE and focus bracketing, and anti-flicker. And both support RAW files but lack anti-alias filters.

Optics
Optics
73%
88%
Megapixels
The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture.
26 MP
46 MP
Image Resolution
Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution.
6240 x 4160 px
8256 x 5504 px
Sensor Type
The camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality.
CMOS
CMOS
Sensor Size
The sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture.
23.5 x 15.6 mm
23.9 x 35.9 mm
Sensor Format
Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes.
APS-C
Full Frame
Frame Rate
The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode.
20 fps
30 fps
Lens Mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Fujifilm X
Nikon Z
Image Processor
The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card.
X-Processor 4
Expeed 7
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3.
3:2
3:2
Minimum ISO (Native)
Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image.
160
64
Maximum ISO (Native)
Refers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise.
12,800
25,600
Minimum ISO (Expanded)
Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary.
80
32
Maximum ISO (Expanded)
Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary.
51200
102400
Minimum Shutter Speed
The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory.
30 s
900 s
Maximum Shutter Speed
The maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries.
1/ 8000 s
1/ 32000 s
Autofocus Points
Autofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings.
425
493
In-body Stabilization
In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake.
Viewfinder Type
The viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens.
Electronic
Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution
3,690,000 dots
3,686,400 dots

Fujifilm X-T4 vs Nikon Z9 Video Performance

Again, the Nikon Z9 appears to beat the Fujifilm X-T4 hands-down regarding its video capability. There’s no recording time limit.

The larger Z9 sensor size lets it shoot 8K / 30p Ultra HD video, with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels. This compares to the DCI / Ultra HD 4K / 60p 4096 x 2160 maximum resolution of the X-T4.

However, the Fujifilm X-T4’s high-speed video frame rate of 240 fps beats the Nikon Z9’s 120 fps. And the selfie screen is very handy if you do a lot of vlogging.

Fujifilm models are also popular for their Film Simulation modes. The X-T4 offers 20 different filters for both stills and video.

The selections include vivid Velvia, the softer Astia, classic Sepia, and various black and white options. It’s something the Nikon Z9 doesn’t compete with. But both cameras do offer time-lapse recording.

Video
Video
91%
100%
Video
Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video.
Max Video Resolution
The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video.
4K
8K
Max Video Dimensions
Video resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video.
4096 x 2160 px
7680 x 4320 px
Max Video Frame Rate
How many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect.
120 p
120 p
Time-Lapse Built In
A built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video.
Video File Format
Different cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files.
MPEG-4,MOV
MOV

Fujifilm X-T4 vs Nikon Z9 Features and Benefits

The Z9 has better or more features:

  • A higher viewfinder magnification
  • blackout-free shooting
  • A larger, higher-resolution LCD screen
  • A full-size HDMI port
  • Illuminated buttons.

But The Z9 and the X-T4 have many other things in common. They both have wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, an external flash shoe, and a touch screen LCD.

Both also offer microphone and headphone ports, smartphone remote control, and webcam functionality.

Technological development in modern cameras means that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and face recognition are spreading through all camera brands. This means any advantage is usually a matter of degree and doesn’t last very long!

Features
Features
85%
87%
Built-in Flash
A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it.
External Flash
External flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera.
GPS
GPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs.
Weather Sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Screen Type
TFT LCD
LCD
Touch Screen
Touchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons.
Screen Size
3"
3.2"
Screen Resolution
Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel.
1,620,000 dots
2,088,960 dots
Flip Screen
A flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles.
Live View
Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens.
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices.

Fujifilm X-T4 vs Nikon Z9 Storage and Battery

The Nikon Z9 relies on speed for a lot of its functionality. So you need to use CFexpress Type B or XQD cards with phenomenal read/write speeds.

The Fujifilm X-T4 supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards. But the UHS-I cards won’t be fast enough to shoot high-bitrate video. You can get either V60 or V90 versions of the UHS-II SD cards.

There are no restrictions on shooting video with either. The V60 cards are cheaper per gigabyte of storage, but the V90 cards are faster.

According to CIPA, the Nikon Z9 officially gets 740 shots from a single charge, compared to 500 using the Fujifilm X-T4. However, these figures will probably rise if you shoot in burst mode rather than a single shot.

The good news about the Z9 is that you get a built-in battery grip that houses two batteries (or enough for at least 1,480 shots). This means you shouldn’t worry about packing spare batteries for a shoot or a game drive.

The Fujifilm X-T4 is also easier to use if you’re a vlogger. Its LCD can be turned 180 degrees and used as a selfie screen.

Finally, from an aesthetic point of view, you might prefer the retro vibe of the silver X-T4. It’s made of metal and has an old-fashioned layout. It has individual dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation.

It’s a throwback to the days of old film cameras like the Nikon F. The discreet shutter click sounds just like a Leica!

Waterfall landscape taken with a Nikon Z9
Shot with a Nikon Z9. Kouji Tsuru (Unsplash.com)
Storage and Battery
Storage and Battery
73%
79%
Memory Card
SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
CFexpress, XQD
Dual Memory Card Slots
Battery Type
NP-W235
EN-EL18d
Battery Life
Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take.
500 shots
740 shots
USB Charging
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK
Overall Score
DXOMARK overall sensor score.
N/A
98%
Portrait (Color Depth)
As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.'
N/A
26.3 bits
Landscape (Dynamic Range)
As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.'
N/A
14.4 EVs
Sports (Low-Light ISO)
Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better'
N/A
2451
Scores

Fujifilm X-T4 vs Nikon Z9 – Our Verdict

Choosing the best camera between the Nikon Z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 depends on the kind of photos you take.

For sports, wildlife, or landscape photographers looking for the camera with the best specs, the Z9 is probably the wiser choice. (That’s if you don’t fancy upgrading to a Fujifilm GFX medium format camera!)

The Nikon Z9 boasts excellent color depth and dynamic range. And its overall DxO Sensor Score is an impressive 98 out of 100!

However, if you want something for street photography or taking candid shots at a wedding, you might be better off with the X-T4. Or you might like the retro styling of a Fujifilm camera, or you might prefer a small, light camera body with matching lenses.

So comparing these two cameras is not quite as simple as you might think!

Nikon Z9 vs Fujifilm X-T4 Alternatives

Check out our other popular camera comparisons for inspiration:

If you’re struggling to decide on a camera brand, we have great articles comparing Fujifilm vs Canon, Fujifilm vs Sony, Fuji vs Olympus, and Canon vs Sony Mirrorless Cameras.

User Scores
B&H photo video
N/A
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