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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7

Portability
51
Imaging
81
Features
90
Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Announced October 2021
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7 II
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z9 was introduced 7 years after the A7 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Z9 grades vs the A7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7

 Z9 A7 
RevealedOctober 2021January 2014Newer by 95 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1230kClearer display (+859k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Nikon Z9

 A7 Z9 

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7

 Z9 A7 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z9 enjoys outer dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) and the Sony A7 has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z9 against the A7.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and A7 is 51 and 78 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The picture underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z9 and A7.

All in all, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon Z9 to offer you more detail using its extra 22 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The fresher Z9 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 Portrait photography info
Sony A7 Portrait photography info
88
has manual focus
great megapixels (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
82
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 Street photography highlights
Sony A7 Street photography highlights
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
79
tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 Sports photography highlights
Sony A7 Sports photography highlights
90
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (740 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z9 Travel photography details
Sony A7 Travel photography details
65
better than average battery pack (740 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
great megapixels (46 megapixels)
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (474g)
environment sealing
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
not so great battery life (340 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 Landscape photography features
Sony A7 Landscape photography features
87
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (740 per charge)
has double storage slots
75
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 Vlogging highlights
Sony A7 Vlogging highlights
32
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
35
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone port
lighter than competition (474g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2021-10-28 2014-01-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 64 50
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 493 117
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,089 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 900s 30s
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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 no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 pounds) 474 grams (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 740 photos 340 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18d NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual CFexpress Type B slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail cost $5,500 $798