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Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80
Nikon Z6 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Updated by Nikon Z6 II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Nikon Z6 versus Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the Z6 (25MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The Z6 was brought out 3 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Z6 matches up vs the a1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Sony a1

 Z6 a1 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kSharper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z6

 a1 Z6 
RevealedJanuary 2021August 2018Newer by 29 months

Common features in the Nikon Z6 and Sony a1

 Z6 a1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z6 provides external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z6 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the Z6 and the a1.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 and a1 is 62 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The picture here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 and a1.

Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony a1 to produce more detail having its extra 25 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged Z6 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
89
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/400 seconds)
megapixel count amazing (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 Sports photography factors
Sony a1 Sports photography factors
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (330 per charge)
91
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
max fps high (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z6
Travel photography with Sony a1
66
weather sealing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count fantastic (25MP)
terrible battery power (330 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
better than average battery pack (530 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count amazing (50 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 Landscape photography details
Sony a1 Landscape photography details
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
terrible battery power (330 per charge)
88
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
has dual storage slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 Vlogging info
Sony a1 Vlogging info
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
37
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
has external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 and Sony a1
 Nikon Z6Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z6 Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2018-08-23 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 51200 32000
Max enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 273 759
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 15 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675g (1.49 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3299 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 530 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage XQD card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at release $1,997 $6,498