The weight of Nikon mirrorless vs Nikon DSLR

 

A lot of people say they switched to mirrorless to save weight and bulk, but that doesn't always seem to make sense these days. I looked into some data and compared Nikon's Z kit with a similar or somewhat equivalent Nikon F kit. You might be surprised, because the weight differences are not so much different.

What I wanted to do is compare cameras with a similar form factor, similar sensor, and comparable lenses. Battery life is also very important to me. All these factors were considered for this comparison. You might agree or disagree, but this is how I feel the two systems should be compared.

20-24 mpx camera with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

Nikon D6 with battery: 1270 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 2170 g

Nikon Z6 II with battery: 705 g

Nikon MB-N11 Battery Grip: 370 g 
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
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Total: 1880 g 

Nikon Z5/Z6 with battery: 675 g
Nikon MB-N10 Battery Grip: 380 g
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g
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Total: 1860 g

Nikon D780 with battery: 830 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 1740 g

Nikon D750 with battery: 840 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 1730 g

Nikon Z6 II with battery: 705 g

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
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Total: 1510 g 

Nikon Z5/Z6 with battery: 675 g 
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
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Total: 1480 g

Nikon D500 with battery: 860 g 
NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: 480 g 
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Total: 1340 g

Nikon D7500 with battery: 720 g 
NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: 480 g 
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Total: 1200 g

Nikon Z50 with battery: 450 g 

FTZ adapter: 135 g
NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR: 480 g 
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Total: 1065 g

36-45 mpx camera with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens

Nikon D850 with battery: 1005 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 1905 g

Nikon D800 with battery: 1000 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 1900 g

Nikon D810 with battery: 980 g 
NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED: 900 g 
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Total: 1880 g

Nikon Z7 II with battery: 705 g

Nikon MB-N11 Battery Grip: 370 g 
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1880 g 

Nikon Z7 with battery: 675 g 
Nikon MB-N10 Battery Grip: 380 g 
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1860 g

Nikon Z7 II with battery: 705 g

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1510 g 

Nikon Z7 with battery: 675 g

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S: 805 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1480 g 

20-24 mpx camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens

Nikon Z6 II with battery: 705 g

Nikon MB-N11 Battery Grip: 370 g 
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
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Total: 1490 g 

Nikon Z5/Z6 with battery: 675 g 
Nikon MB-N10 Battery Grip: 380 g 
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
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Total: 1470 g

Nikon D6 with battery: 1270 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
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Total: 1455 g

Nikon D750 with battery: 840 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
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Total: 1025 g

Nikon Z6 II with battery: 705 g

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
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Total: 1120 g 

Nikon D780 with battery: 830 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1015 g

Nikon Z5/Z6 with battery: 675 g 
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1090 g

Nikon D500 with battery: 860 g 
NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G DX: 200 g 
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Total: 1060 g

Nikon D7500 with battery: 720 g 
NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G DX: 200 g   
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Total: 920 g

Nikon Z50 with battery: 450 g 

NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S: 370 g   
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Total: 820 g

36-45 mpx camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens

Nikon Z7 II with battery: 705 g

Nikon MB-N11 Battery Grip: 370 g 
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1490 g 

Nikon Z7 with battery: 675 g 
Nikon MB-N10 Battery Grip: 380 g 
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g  
------------------------------ 
Total: 1470 g

Nikon D850 with battery: 1005 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
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Total: 1190 g

Nikon D800 with battery: 1000 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1185 g

Nikon D810 with battery: 980 g 
NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G: 185 g 
------------------------------ 
Total: 1165 g

Nikon Z7 II with battery: 705 g

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g 
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Total: 1120 g 

Nikon Z7 with battery: 675 g

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S: 415 g
------------------------------ 
Total: 1090 g 

As you can see there are many combinations, where a DSLR kit is actually lighter than the mirrorless kit. You can do the test with some other combinations like with a 20mm, 35mm or 85mm lens, and you'll get similar results. While the Z bodies are a bit smaller and lighter, the Z lenses are a bit heavier than the F mount lenses on average (not always, but a lot of times).