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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61 Imaging
80 Features
92 Overall
84

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost 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 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced October 2021
  • Replaced the Sony A7 III
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7 IV (33MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z9 was revealed very close to the A7 IV which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the Z9 scores against the A7 IV in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7 IV

		

		

			
 Z9 A7 IV 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1440kSharper display (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 A7 IV Z9 
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 IV

		

		

			
 Z9 A7 IV 
AnnouncedOctober 2021October 2021Similar generation
Manually focus  Dial accurate focus
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 provides outside measurements of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) while the Sony A7 IV has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).
Compare the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 IV in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the Z9 and the A7 IV.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and A7 IV is 51 and 61 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The picture below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z9 and A7 IV.
Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon Z9 to offer more detail because of its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively.
	
			Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Nikon Z9 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7 IV Portrait photography highlights
88
 focusing manually
 high megapixels (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 includes face detect focusing
 exports RAW files
81
 you can focus manually
 resolution is excellent (33 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 features face detection autofocus
 saves RAW formats
 does not have liveview
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Street Comparison
Nikon Z9 Street photography info
Sony A7 IV Street photography info
70
 tilting screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 provides focus by touch
 environment sealing
 good ISO range (25,600)
 heavier than competitors in class (1,340 grams)
79
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 saves RAW formats
 provides touch to focus
 weather proofing
 great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z9 Sports photography info
Sony A7 IV Sports photography info
90
 silent shutter (1/32,000s)
 fast shooting (30.0 frames/s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 high megapixels (46MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 includes tracking focus
 environment sealing
 better than average battery power (740 shots)
 comes with phase detect AF
84
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is excellent (33MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 features tracking autofocus
 weather proofing
 good battery (600 CIPA)
 comes with phase detect autofocus
 does not have liveview
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Nikon Z9
Travel photography with Sony A7 IV
65
 better than average battery power (740 shots)
 environment sealing
 connects via bluetooth
 provides focus by touch
 high megapixels (46MP)
 heavier than competitors in class (1,340 grams)
 doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
80
 good battery (600 per charge)
 weather proofing
 has bluetooth
 provides touch to focus
 resolution is excellent (33MP)
 display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 IV Landscape photography factors
87
 focusing manually
 change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is good (3.2 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 high megapixels (46MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 environment sealing
 better than average battery power (740 CIPA)
 has dual storage slots
83
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen size is good (3")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is excellent (33MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 great ISO range (51,200)
 saves RAW formats
 weather proofing
 good battery (600 CIPA)
 2 card slots
 does not have liveview
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Nikon Z9
Vlogging with Sony A7 IV
32
 touchscreen functionality
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 includes face detect focusing
 great video quality (7680 x 4320 resolution)
 does have mic jack
 doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
 heavier than competitors in class (1,340g)
80
 display is selfie friendly
 touch screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detection autofocus
 video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 does have external mic support
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7 IV
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7 IV
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2021-10-28 2021-10-21
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 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 33 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 8256 x 5504 7008 x 4672
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 204800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW files    
Lowest boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch to focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Total focus points 493 759
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 29 172
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,089 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 3,690 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
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    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) 699 grams (1.54 lbs)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 740 photos 600 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18d NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting    
Storage type Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots Two Two
Retail pricing $5,500 $2,500