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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R

Portability
51
Imaging
81
Features
90
Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R 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
  • Released October 2021
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R II
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7R (36MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Z9 was unveiled 7 years later than the A7R and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the Z9 matches up versus the A7R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7R

 Z9 A7R 
RevealedOctober 2021February 2014More recent by 94 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2089k1230kSharper screen (+859k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Nikon Z9

 A7R Z9 

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7R

 Z9 A7R 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 provides exterior dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") and a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) and the Sony A7R has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the Z9 versus the A7R.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and A7R is 51 and 78 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z9 and A7R.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon Z9 to render greater detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern Z9 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z9 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7R Portrait photography factors
88
manual focus
amazing MP (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
84
has manual focus
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R as a Street photography camera
70
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competition in class (1,340 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than others in class (465 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7R as a Sports photography camera
90
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (740 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z9 Travel photography details
Sony A7R Travel photography details
65
great battery (740 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
supports focus via touch
amazing MP (46MP)
more heavy than competition in class (1,340g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others in class (465g)
environment proof
excellent megapixels (36MP)
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 Landscape photography features
Sony A7R Landscape photography features
87
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (740 per charge)
has dual storage slots
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,340g)
36
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
lighter than others in class (465 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7R
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7R
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7R
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-28 2014-02-13
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 493 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 2,089k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340g (2.95 lb) 465g (1.03 lb)
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 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2746
Other
Battery life 740 images 340 images
Battery format 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 recording 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
Cost at release $5,500 $1,898