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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump 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 A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Previous Model is Sony A7R III
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R V
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7R IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7R IV (61MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The Z9 was revealed 2 years after the A7R IV which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the Z9 grades against the A7R IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7R IV

		

		

			
 Z9 A7R IV 
AnnouncedOctober 2021July 2019Newer by 28 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1440kClearer display (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 A7R IV Z9 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7R IV

		

		

			
 Z9 A7R IV 
Manual focus  Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen  Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z9 provides physical measurements of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R IV has dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).
Check the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7R IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the Z9 vs the A7R IV.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and A7R IV is 51 and 62 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Z9 and A7R IV.
To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A7R IV to provide you with more detail because of its extra 15MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher Z9 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.
	
			Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
 Sony A7R IV as a Portrait photography camera
88
 focusing manually
 MP count excellent (46 megapixels)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 includes face detect focusing
 supports RAW formats
88
 has manual focus
 megapixel count excellent (61 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 provides face detection autofocus
 saves RAW files
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Street Comparison
Nikon Z9 Street photography factors
Sony A7R IV Street photography factors
70
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 supports RAW formats
 supports focus by touch
 environment proofing
 great ISO range (25,600)
 heavier than others in class (1,340 grams)
79
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 saves RAW files
 includes focus by touch
 environment proofing
 above average high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z9 Sports photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Sports photography highlights
90
 silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
 high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count excellent (46MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 includes tracking focus
 environment proofing
 good battery pack (740 shots)
 supports phase detect AF
90
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count excellent (61MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 provides tracking autofocus
 environment proofing
 great battery (670 per charge)
 has phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Nikon Z9 Travel photography factors
Sony A7R IV Travel photography factors
65
 good battery pack (740 CIPA)
 environment proofing
 has bluetooth
 supports focus by touch
 MP count excellent (46 megapixels)
 heavier than others in class (1,340 grams)
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
74
 great battery (670 per charge)
 environment proofing
 connects via bluetooth
 includes focus by touch
 megapixel count excellent (61 megapixels)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Nikon Z9
Landscape photography with Sony A7R IV
87
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count excellent (46MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 great ISO range (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 environment proofing
 good battery pack (740 per charge)
 2 card slots
88
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Sony E mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count excellent (61MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 doesnt have low pass filter
 above average high ISO (32,000)
 saves RAW files
 environment proofing
 great battery (670 per charge)
 two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z9 Vlogging details
Sony A7R IV Vlogging details
32
 touchscreen functionality
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 includes face detect focusing
 video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
 comes with mic support
 does not posses selfie friendly screen
 heavier than others in class (1,340g)
37
 touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 provides face detection autofocus
 good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 has external microphone socket
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7R IV
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2021-10-28 2019-07-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 61 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 8256 x 5504 9504 x 6336
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest boosted ISO 102400 102800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures    
Lowest boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Number of focus points 493 567
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,089 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 5,760 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
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 sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 1340 gr (2.95 pounds) 665 gr (1.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 99
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.8
DXO Low light score not tested 3344
Other
Battery life 740 shots 670 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording    
Storage type Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Retail pricing $5,500 $3,498