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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push 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
  • Released July 2020
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Sony A9
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A9 II, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A9 II (24MP) is fairly well matched and they use the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z5 was launched 10 months later than the A9 II which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the Z5 scores versus the A9 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A9 II

 Z5 A9 II 
RevealedJuly 2020October 2019More recent by 10 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Nikon Z5

 A9 II Z5 
Display resolution1440k1040kCrisper display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A9 II

 Z5 A9 II 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 comes with outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A9 II has dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A9 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the Z5 compared to the A9 II.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and A9 II is 62 and 62 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and A9 II.

To sum up, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures though you might want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger Z5 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography features
Sony A9 II Portrait photography features
85
manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
85
manual focus
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Sony A9 II Street photography advice
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others (675 grams)
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography information
Sony A9 II Sports photography information
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (470 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery power (690 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery life (470 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (24MP)
heavier than others (675g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
73
good battery power (690 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography info
Sony A9 II Landscape photography info
86
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great battery life (470 per charge)
2 card slots
86
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
good battery power (690 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Sony A9 II
34
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
heavier than others (675g)
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A9 II
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Class Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2020-07-20 2019-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 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
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 273 693
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
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
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
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, slow rear-curtain sync, off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 470 shots 690 shots
Style of battery 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, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $1,399 $4,498