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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon Z5 and Sony A9, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Z5 was released 3 years after the A9 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the Z5 scores versus the A9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A9

 Z5 A9 
LaunchedJuly 2020April 2017More modern by 40 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z5

 A9 Z5 
Display resolution1440k1040kCrisper display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A9

 Z5 A9 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 enjoys outside measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z5 and Sony A9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the Z5 and the A9.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and A9.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs though you really should factor the release date of the products into consideration. The younger Z5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
85
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
83
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography details
Sony A9 Street photography details
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others in class (675g)
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (470 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery life (470 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
offers focus by touch
good resolution (24MP)
heavier than others in class (675g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
73
better than average battery (650 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
resolution is good (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
86
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great battery life (470 shots)
two card slots
85
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
34
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (675g)
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A9
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha A9
Type Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-07-20 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 273 693
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, slow rear-curtain sync, off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 470 shots 650 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $1,399 $4,498