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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
80
Overall
73
Nikon Z fc front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Introduced June 2021
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and a1 (50MP) and the Z fc (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z fc was launched 6 months after the a1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the Z fc matches up against the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Sony a1

 Z fc a1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z fc

 a1 Z fc 
Display resolution1440k1040kSharper display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Sony a1

 Z fc a1 
AnnouncedJune 2021January 2021Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z fc features outside measurements of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) while the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the Z fc and the a1.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z fc and a1 is 79 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z fc and a1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z fc because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony a1 will show more detail utilizing its extra 29MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z fc
Portrait photography with Sony a1
81
has manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
88
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400s)
MP count high (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon Z fc Street photography highlights
Sony a1 Street photography highlights
74
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (445 grams)
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
67
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 shots)
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z fc Travel photography highlights
Sony a1 Travel photography highlights
72
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (300 shots)
more heavy than competition (445g)
73
better than average battery life (530 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
MP count high (50 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 CIPA)
88
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery life (530 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc Vlogging advice
Sony a1 Vlogging advice
73
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone jack
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (445 grams)
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Sony a1
 Nikon Z fcSony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z fc Sony Alpha a1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2021-06-28 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 51200 32000
Max enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 209 759
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 21 133
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames per sec 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/400 secs
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445g (0.98 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 530 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $949 $6,498