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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80
Nikon Z6 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Announced August 2018
  • Newer Model is Nikon Z6 II
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase 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
  • Released April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon Z6 and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z6 (25MP) and the A9 (24MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The Z6 was launched 17 months later than the A9 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the Z6 matches up vs the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Sony A9

 Z6 A9 
ReleasedAugust 2018April 2017Fresher by 17 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kCrisper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z6

 A9 Z6 

Common features in the Nikon Z6 and Sony A9

 Z6 A9 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z6 comes with outside dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Nikon Z6 and Sony A9 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the Z6 versus the A9.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 and A9.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon Z6 to show more detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher Z6 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 Portrait photography factors
Sony A9 Portrait photography factors
85
you can focus manually
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
84
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
low battery (330 CIPA)
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery life (650 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z6
Travel photography with Sony A9
66
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
low battery (330 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
74
great battery life (650 per charge)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
low battery (330 per charge)
86
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
great battery life (650 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
37
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 and Sony A9
 Nikon Z6Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z6 Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2018-08-23 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-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 25 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 273 693
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data 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 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lb) 673 grams (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 92
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.3 13.3
DXO Low light score 3299 3517
Other
Battery life 330 shots 650 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $1,997 $4,498