Fujifilm GFX 100 II vs Nikon Z9

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9 are two professional cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2023 and October 2021. Both the GFX 100 II and the Z9 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a medium format (GFX 100 II) and a full frame (Z9) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 101.8 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 45.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm GFX 100 II		Nikon Z9
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Fujifilm G mount lenses		Nikon Z mount lenses
101.8 MP – Medium Format sensor		45.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
8K/30p Video		8K/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (50 - 102,400)		ISO 64-25,600 (32 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (9440k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.2" LCD – 2360k dots		3.2" LCD – 2089k dots
Fully flexible touchscreen		Fully flexible touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second		30 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
540 shots per battery charge		740 shots per battery charge
152 x 117 x 99 mm, 1030 g		149 x 150 x 91 mm, 1340 g

Check GFX 100 II price at
amazon.com
Check Z9 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z9 is notably larger (26 percent) than the Fujifilm GFX 100 II. Moreover, the Z9 is markedly heavier (30 percent) than the GFX 100 II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the GFX 100 II gets 540 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-W235 battery, while the Z9 can take 740 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL18d power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the Z9 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the GFX 100 II, Fujifilm provides the VG-GFX100II vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay). The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	152 mm	117 mm	99 mm	1030 g	540	Y	Sep 2023	7,499	amazon.com
2.		Nikon Z9	149 mm	150 mm	91 mm	1340 g	740	Y	Oct 2021	5,499	amazon.com
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	158 mm	168 mm	83 mm	1440 g	2850	Y	Jan 2020	6,499	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	161 mm	97 mm	66 mm	775 g	400	Y	Sep 2018	4,499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	148 mm	94 mm	91 mm	740 g	400	Y	Sep 2016	6,499	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	440	Y	Sep 2021	3,999	amazon.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100	156 mm	144 mm	75 mm	1320 g	800	Y	May 2019	9,999	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	900 g	460	Y	Jan 2021	5,999	amazon.com
9.		Fujifilm X-H2	136 mm	93 mm	85 mm	660 g	680	Y	Sep 2022	1,999	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X-H2S	136 mm	93 mm	85 mm	660 g	580	Y	May 2022	2,499	amazon.com
11.		Fujifilm X-T5	130 mm	91 mm	64 mm	557 g	580	Y	Nov 2022	1,699	amazon.com
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	149 mm	106 mm	75 mm	895 g	420	Y	Sep 2022	8,199	amazon.com
13.		Nikon D6	160 mm	163 mm	92 mm	1270 g	3580	Y	Feb 2020	6,499	amazon.com
14.		Nikon Z7	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	330	Y	Aug 2018	3,399	ebay.com
15.		Nikon Z7 II	134 mm	101 mm	70 mm	705 g	420	Y	Oct 2020	2,999	amazon.com
16.		Nikon Z8	144 mm	119 mm	83 mm	910 g	340	Y	May 2023	3,999	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Z9 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 27 percent) than the GFX 100 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm GFX 100 II features a medium format sensor and the Nikon Z9 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Z9 is 40 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.79 and 1.0. The sensor in the GFX 100 II has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the Z9 offers a 3:2 aspect.

With 101.8MP, the GFX 100 II offers a higher resolution than the Z9 (45.4MP), but the GFX 100 II has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 4.35μm for the Z9). However, the GFX 100 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 10 months) than the Z9, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GFX 100 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 58.2 x 43.7 inches or 147.9 x 110.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 46.6 x 34.9 inches or 118.3 x 88.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 38.8 x 29.1 inches or 98.6 x 74 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon Z9 are 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm for good quality, 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm for very good quality, and 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the Z9, the GFX 100 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (YESMP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z9 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the GFX 100 II is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the Z9 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	8K/30p	25.9	15.0	3651	101
2.		Nikon Z9	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	8K/30p	26.3	14.4	2451	98
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4K/60p	24.2	14.5	3248	91
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.7	14.4	3169	98
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.4	14.1	2977	96
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Medium Format	51.1	8256	6192	1080/30p	25.9	14.8	3456	100
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.7	14.5	3227	99
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.8	14.7	3391	100
9.		Fujifilm X-H2	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	8k/30p	24.3	13.9	2249	86
10.		Fujifilm X-H2S	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	6.2k/30p	24.3	13.9	2224	86
11.		Fujifilm X-T5	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	6.2k/30p	24.3	13.9	2264	86
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	Medium Format	102.1	11656	8762	none	25.9	14.9	3550	101
13.		Nikon D6	Full Frame	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	2886	95
14.		Nikon Z7	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.3	14.6	2668	99
15.		Nikon Z7 II	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/60p	26.3	14.7	2841	100
16.		Nikon Z8	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	8K/30p	26.3	14.2	2548	98
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (8K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GFX 100 II offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the Z9 (9440k vs 3690k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and Nikon Z9 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	9440	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
2.		Nikon Z9	3690	Y	3.2 / 2089	full-flex	Y	1/32000s	30.0/s	n	Y
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	optical	Y	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0/s	n	n
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	3690	n	3.2 / 2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	n
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	n	Y
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100	optional	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	Y
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	3690	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	n	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-H2	5760	Y	3.0 / 1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
10.		Fujifilm X-H2S	5760	Y	3.0 / 1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
11.		Fujifilm X-T5	3690	n	3.0 / 1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	n	Y
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	5760	Y	3.6 / 2360	tilting	Y	1/4000s	3.3/s	n	Y
13.		Nikon D6	optical	Y	3.2 / 2359	fixed	Y	1/8000s	14.0/s	n	n
14.		Nikon Z7	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
15.		Nikon Z7 II	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
16.		Nikon Z8	3690	Y	3.2 / 2089	full-flex	Y	1/32000s	30.0/s	n	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The GFX 100 II writes its imaging data to CFexpress (type B) or SDXC cards, while the Z9 uses CFexpress (type B) or XQD cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and Nikon Z9 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Nikon Z9	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
9.		Fujifilm X-H2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
10.		Fujifilm X-H2S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Fujifilm X-T5	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	3.2	Y	-	-
13.		Nikon D6	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
14.		Nikon Z7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon Z7 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
16.		Nikon Z8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the Z9 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the GFX 100 II and the Z9 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The GFX 100 II replaced the earlier Fujifilm GFX 100, while the Z9 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the features and operation of the GFX 100 II and Z9 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm GFX 100 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Z9 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (101.8 vs 45.4MP) with a 47% higher linear resolution.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (9440k vs 3690k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (1.27x vs 0.80x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2360k vs 2089k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (152x117mm vs 149x150mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 310g or 23 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 10 months after the Z9).

Advantages of the Nikon Z9:

• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/32000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (30 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (740 versus 540) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (27 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in October 2021).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GFX 100 II is the clear winner of the match-up (12 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm GFX 100 II and the Nikon Z9 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GFX 100 II or the Z9 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm GFX 100 II	5/5	+	5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Sep 2023	7,499	amazon.com
2.		Nikon Z9	5/5	..	4.5/5	94/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2021	5,499	amazon.com
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	..	+ +	5/5	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jan 2020	6,499	amazon.com
4.		Fujifilm GFX 50R	5/5	..	5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2018	4,499	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm GFX 50S	..	..	4.5/5	85/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	6,499	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 50S II	5/5	..	5/5	87/100	..	5/5	Sep 2021	3,999	amazon.com
7.		Fujifilm GFX 100	4.5/5	+ +	4.8/5	90/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2019	9,999	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm GFX 100S	5/5	+ +	5/5	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2021	5,999	amazon.com
9.		Fujifilm X-H2	5/5	+ +	5/5	89/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2022	1,999	amazon.com
10.		Fujifilm X-H2S	5/5	+	5/5	90/100	5/5	5/5	May 2022	2,499	amazon.com
11.		Fujifilm X-T5	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	90/100	4.5/5	..	Nov 2022	1,699	amazon.com
12.		Hasselblad X2D 100C	4/5	..	5/5	..	..	..	Sep 2022	8,199	amazon.com
13.		Nikon D6	..	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	6,499	amazon.com
14.		Nikon Z7	5/5	+	4.8/5	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	3,399	ebay.com
15.		Nikon Z7 II	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	2,999	amazon.com
16.		Nikon Z8	5/5	..	5/5	94/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2023	3,999	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check GFX 100 II price at
amazon.com
Check Z9 price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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Check GFX 100 II price at
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Check Z9 price at
amazon.com

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