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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
Photography Glossary

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
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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