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Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9

Portability
55 Imaging
83 Features
83 Overall
83
Nikon Z8 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65 Imaging
74 Features
93 Overall
81

Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Announced May 2023
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push 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 Z8 vs Sony A9 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Nikon Z8 versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z8 (46MP) and A9 (24MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z8 was revealed 6 years after the A9 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the Z8 scores vs the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Sony A9

		

		

			
 Z8 A9 
ReleasedMay 2023April 2017More modern by 74 months
Display sizing3.20"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1440kCrisper display (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z8

		

		

			
 A9 Z8 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z8 and Sony A9

		

		

			
 Z8 A9 
Manually focus  Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon Z8 has physical measurements of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Examine the Nikon Z8 versus Sony A9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the Z8 vs the A9.
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 size comparison
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z8 and A9 is 55 and 65 respectively.
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, its hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z8 and A9.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon Z8 to offer greater detail because of its extra 22MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer Z8 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
	
			Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Nikon Z8 Portrait photography details
Sony A9 Portrait photography details
89
 has manual focus
 megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 features face detection focusing
 supports RAW formats
84
 you can focus manually
 decent MP (24MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 has face detect focus
 saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison
 Nikon Z8 as a Street photography camera
 Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
72
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 supports RAW formats
 has focus by touch
 weather proofing
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 more heavy than average (910g)
79
 screen tilts
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 saves RAW formats
 offers focus via touch
 weather proof
 good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z8 Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
81
 quiet mode (1/32,000s)
 high max fps (30.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 features tracking autofocus
 weather proofing
 has phase detect AF
 low max shutter speed (1/s)
 terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
87
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent MP (24MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 has tracking focus
 weather proof
 better than average battery (650 per charge)
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Nikon Z8 Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
61
 weather proofing
 supports bluetooth
 has focus by touch
 megapixel count great (46MP)
 terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
 more heavy than average (910 grams)
 display is not selfie friendly
74
 better than average battery (650 shots)
 weather proof
 supports bluetooth
 offers focus via touch
 decent MP (24MP)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
 Nikon Z8 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
84
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is good (3.20")
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 weather proofing
 two card slots
 terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
86
 you can focus manually
 swap lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent MP (24 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 good ISO range (51,200)
 saves RAW formats
 weather proof
 better than average battery (650 per charge)
 has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z8 Vlogging highlights
Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
33
 touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detection focusing
 video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
 has external microphone socket
 display is not selfie friendly
 more heavy than average (910g)
37
 touch screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detect focus
 high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
 includes mic jack
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
Nikon Z8 vs Sony A9 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z8 and Sony A9
 Nikon Z8Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z8 Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2023-05-10 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type Stacked 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 46 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 204800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures    
Min boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Total focus points 493 693
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 46 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.20 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,089k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L -
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 910 gr (2.01 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 98 92
DXO Color Depth rating 26.3 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 13.3
DXO Low light rating 2548 3517
Other
Battery life 330 images 650 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording    
Storage media one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Two Two
Cost at launch $3,999 $4,498