Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9
Portability
62 Imaging
77 Features
86 Overall
80
62 Imaging
77 Features
86 Overall
80
Portability
65 Imaging
74 Features
93 Overall
81
65 Imaging
74 Features
93 Overall
81
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Key Specs
Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
(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)
(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
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes 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).
Photography GlossaryThe 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.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z5 and Sony Alpha A9. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon Z5 Gallery and Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A9
| Z5 | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2020 |  | April 2017 | More modern by 40 months |
| Display dimensions | 3.2" |  | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z5
| A9 | Z5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 1440k |  | 1040k | Crisper display (+400k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A9
| Z5 | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very exact focusing | ||
| Display type | Tilting |  | Tilting | Tilting 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.
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.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Nikon Z5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesStreet Comparison
Nikon Z5 Street photography details
Sony A9 Street photography details
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)
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)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoSports Comparison
Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
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)
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
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealingTravel Comparison
Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
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
better than average battery (650 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
resolution is good (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
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
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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneVlogging Comparison
Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
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)
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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 Specifications
| Nikon Z5 | Sony 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 |
