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Nikon A vs Sony A9

Portability
88
Imaging
58
Features
48
Overall
54
Nikon Coolpix A front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Nikon A vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon A
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 299g - 111 x 64 x 40mm
  • Introduced June 2013
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Nikon A vs Sony A9 Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Nikon A versus Sony A9, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the A (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The A was introduced 4 years earlier than the A9 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon A being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A matches up vs the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon A over the Sony A9

 A A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon A

 A9 A 
IntroducedApril 2017June 2013Fresher by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k921kSharper screen (+519k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon A and Sony A9

 A A9 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon A vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon A features exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check out the Nikon A versus Sony A9 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A and the A9.

Nikon A vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A and A9 is 88 and 65 respectively.

Nikon A vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon A vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A and A9.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A9 will offer you greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older A is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon A vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Nikon A vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon A vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon A Portrait photography info
Sony A9 Portrait photography info
74
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
84
manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon A Street photography advice
Sony A9 Street photography advice
71
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (299g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports touch to focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon A as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
47
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (28mm)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery pack (650 shots)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon A Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
63
lighter than average (299 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
great battery pack (650 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon A as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
54
focusing manually
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (230 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
86
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon A as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
31
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (299 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone port
37
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon A vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon A and Sony A9
 Nikon Coolpix ASony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix A Sony Alpha A9
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-06-06 2017-04-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 693
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 299g (0.66 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.8 13.3
DXO Low light score 1164 3517
Other
Battery life 230 images 650 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $778 $4,498