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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump 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
  • Launched April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A9, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the A9 (24MP) is pretty similar but the Z50 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) come with different sensor measurements.

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The Z50 was introduced 2 years after the A9 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Z50 grades vs the A9 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A9

 Z50 A9 
LaunchedOctober 2019April 2017More modern by 31 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z50

 A9 Z50 
Screen resolution1440k1040kCrisper screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A9

 Z50 A9 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 has got external measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the Z50 vs the A9.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and A9 is 74 and 65 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and A9.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z50 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A9 will offer you extra detail using its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher Z50 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
80
focusing manually
good megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
83
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography info
Sony A9 Street photography info
73
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (397g)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sony A9
75
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
77
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good megapixels (21MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than others (397g)
73
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is good (24MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography advice
Sony A9 Landscape photography advice
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
85
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (397 grams)
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A9
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha A9
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-10-10 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 209 693
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397g (0.88 lb) 673g (1.48 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 320 shots 650 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Single Two
Retail cost $857 $4,498