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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II

Portability
51
Imaging
81
Features
90
Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise 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 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Announced November 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7
  • New Model is Sony A7 III
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 II, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7 II (24MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The Z9 was manufactured 7 years later than the A7 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the Z9 grades vs the A7 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7 II

 Z9 A7 II 
AnnouncedOctober 2021November 2014More recent by 85 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1230kClearer display (+859k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Nikon Z9

 A7 II Z9 

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 II

 Z9 A7 II 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 provides physical dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Sony A7 II has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the Z9 compared to the A7 II.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and A7 II is 51 and 69 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The graphic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z9 and A7 II.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon Z9 to render greater detail due to its extra 22MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent Z9 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Portrait photography camera
88
focusing manually
megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
82
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 Street photography features
Sony A7 II Street photography features
70
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than others (1,340g)
80
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 Sports photography highlights
Sony A7 II Sports photography highlights
90
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery pack (740 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
low battery power (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z9 Travel photography details
Sony A7 II Travel photography details
65
good battery pack (740 CIPA)
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count great (46MP)
more heavy than others (1,340 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
61
weather proofing
good megapixels (24MP)
low battery power (350 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Landscape photography camera
87
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good battery pack (740 CIPA)
two card slots
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
low battery power (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 Vlogging info
Sony A7 II Vlogging info
32
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,340g)
36
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 II
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2021-10-28 2014-11-20
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 25600
Highest boosted ISO 102400 51200
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 493 117
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 29 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,089 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
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
Lowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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 no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs -
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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340g (2.95 pounds) 599g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 2449
Other
Battery life 740 pictures 350 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media Dual CFexpress Type B slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $5,500 $1,456