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Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1

Portability
55 Imaging
83 Features
83 Overall
83
Nikon Z8 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
82 Features
93 Overall
86

Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Nikon Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Launched May 2023
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost 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 Z8 vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z8 (46MP) and the a1 (50MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z8 was introduced 2 years later than the a1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the Z8 grades against the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 Z8 a1 
AnnouncedMay 2023January 2021More recent by 28 months
Display dimension3.20"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1440kSharper display (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z8

		

		

			
 a1 Z8 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z8 and Sony a1

		

		

			
 Z8 a1 
Focus manually  Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z8 has got exterior measurements of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Check the Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z8 and the a1.
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the Z8 and a1 is 55 and 61 respectively.
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The graphic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z8 and a1.
To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony a1 to offer more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer Z8 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
	
			Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Nikon Z8
Portrait photography with Sony a1
89
 manual focus
 megapixel count amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 provides face detect focus
 delivers RAW files
89
 focusing manually
 above average flash sync (1/400s)
 excellent sensor resolution (50MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 has face detect focusing
 exports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Nikon Z8 Street photography details
Sony a1 Street photography details
72
 screen tilts up and down
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 delivers RAW files
 offers touch to focus
 environment sealing
 good high ISO (25,600)
 heavier than competitors (910g)
79
 screen tilts
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 provides focus via touch
 weather proof
 above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
 Nikon Z8 as a Sports photography camera
 Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
81
 silent shutter (1/32,000s)
 fast shooting (30.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 provides tracking focus
 environment sealing
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
 low max shutter speed (1/s)
 low battery life (330 CIPA)
91
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 has tracking focus
 weather proof
 better than average battery power (530 shots)
 comes with phase detect AF
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Nikon Z8 Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
61
 environment sealing
 supports bluetooth
 offers touch to focus
 megapixel count amazing (46 megapixels)
 low battery life (330 shots)
 heavier than competitors (910g)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
74
 better than average battery power (530 shots)
 weather proof
 connects via bluetooth
 provides focus via touch
 excellent sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Nikon Z8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a1 Landscape photography highlights
84
 manual focus
 change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 pretty good screen size (3.20 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 good high ISO (25,600)
 delivers RAW files
 environment sealing
 has dual storage slots
 low battery life (330 per charge)
88
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Sony E mount)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent sensor resolution (50MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 above average ISO range (32,000)
 exports RAW files
 weather proof
 better than average battery power (530 shots)
 two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison
 Nikon Z8 as a Vlogging camera
 Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
33
 touchscreen capability
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detect focus
 video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
 includes mic jack
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 heavier than competitors (910 grams)
37
 built-in touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detect focusing
 video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
 does have mic socket
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z8 vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z8 and Sony a1
 Nikon Z8Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z8 Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2023-05-10 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked 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 46 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 8256 x 5504 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 25600 32000
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW files    
Lowest boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points 493 759
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 46 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.20 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 2,089k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900s 30s
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 7680x4320
Video file format H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 910g (2.01 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 98 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 26.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 2548 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 530 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature    
Storage type one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 2 2
Cost at launch $3,999 $6,498