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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1

Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released October 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon Z7
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push 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
  • Announced January 2021
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z7 II (46MP) and the a1 (50MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z7 II was released 3 months before the a1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the Z7 II scores vs the a1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Sony a1

 Z7 II a1 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1440kClearer display (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z7 II

 a1 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Sony a1

 Z7 II a1 
AnnouncedOctober 2020January 2021Similar age
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z7 II provides external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the Z7 II versus the a1.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z7 II and a1 is 61 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z7 II and a1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony a1 to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Portrait photography factors
Sony a1 Portrait photography factors
88
focusing manually
MP count great (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
89
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z7 II
Street photography with Sony a1
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
79
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
91
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (30.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
72
environment proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
MP count great (46 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
74
great battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
resolution is great (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z7 II
Landscape photography with Sony a1
88
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
88
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery pack (530 per charge)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
37
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
good video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Sony a1
 Nikon Z7 Mark IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z7 Mark II Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2020-10-14 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 5504 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 102400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 493 759
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 15 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 gr (1.55 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 images 530 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Dual
Retail cost $2,997 $6,498