Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III
Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Portability
63 Imaging
78 Features
93 Overall
84
63 Imaging
78 Features
93 Overall
84
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
(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
- Released October 2021
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 42MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
- Launched October 2017
- Old Model is Sony A7R II
- Replacement is Sony A7R IV
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Following is a in-depth review of the Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Z9 (46MP) and the A7R III (42MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe Z9 was revealed 4 years after the A7R III which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the Z9 grades versus the A7R III in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Z9 and Sony Alpha A7R III. The full galleries are provided at Nikon Z9 Gallery and Sony A7R III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7R III
| Z9 | A7R III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | October 2021 |  | October 2017 | More modern by 49 months |
| Display size | 3.2" |  | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
| Display resolution | 2089k |  | 1440k | Crisper display (+649k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Nikon Z9
| A7R III | Z9 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7R III
| Z9 | A7R III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Display type | Tilting |  | Tilting | Tilting display |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Easily navigate |
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z9 comes with exterior measurements 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 A7R III has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).
Look at the Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the Z9 against the A7R III.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and A7R III is 51 and 63 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z9 and A7R III.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon Z9 to provide more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher Z9 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Nikon Z9 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7R III Portrait photography factors
you can focus manually
excellent resolution (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
focusing manually
amazing megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Nikon Z9 Street photography features
Sony A7R III Street photography features
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
environment proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports photography with Nikon Z9
Sports photography with Sony A7R III
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery life (740 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Nikon Z9 Travel photography information
Sony A7R III Travel photography information
good battery life (740 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
excellent resolution (46 megapixels)
heavier than average (1,340g)
display isn't selfie friendly
better than average battery life (650 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
amazing megapixels (42MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z9 Landscape photography details
Sony A7R III Landscape photography details
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
good battery life (740 shots)
two card slots
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging with Nikon Z9
Vlogging with Sony A7R III
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
includes external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,340 grams)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R III Specifications
| Nikon Z9 | Sony Alpha A7R III | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon Z9 | Sony Alpha A7R III |
| Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Released | 2021-10-28 | 2017-10-25 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Bionz X |
| Sensor type | Stacked CMOS | BSI-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 | 42MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 8256 x 5504 | 7952 x 5304 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 32000 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 102400 | 102400 |
| Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Min enhanced ISO | 32 | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 493 | 425 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 29 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| Display resolution | 2,089k dot | 1,440k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,686k dot | 3,686k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 900 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | - | 1/8000 seconds |
| Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 seconds | - |
| Continuous shutter speed | 30.0fps | 10.0fps |
| 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 modes | Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off | Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/200 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Max video resolution | 7680x4320 | 3840x2160 |
| Video format | H.264, H.265 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) |
| GPS | Built-in | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1340 grams (2.95 pounds) | 657 grams (1.45 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") | 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 100 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 26.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.7 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 3523 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 740 shots | 650 shots |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL18d | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | Dual CFexpress Type B slots | Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
| Pricing at release | $5,500 | $2,800 |