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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II

Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68 Imaging
61 Features
76 Overall
67

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced October 2021
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony A7S
  • New Model is Sony A7S III
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7S II, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A7S II (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Z9 was launched 6 years after the A7S II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the Z9 matches up versus the A7S II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A7S II

		

		

			
 Z9 A7S II 
AnnouncedOctober 2021October 2015More modern by 74 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k1229kCrisper display (+860k dot)
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 A7S II Z9 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A7S II

		

		

			
 Z9 A7S II 
Manual focus  Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen  Lacking selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z9 provides exterior dimensions 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 A7S II has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") and a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon Z9 versus Sony A7S II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the Z9 and the A7S II.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Z9 and A7S II is 51 and 68 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z9 and A7S II.
As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon Z9 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 34MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger Z9 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
	
			Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
 Sony A7S II as a Portrait photography camera
88
 you can focus manually
 excellent  resolution (46 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 offers face detect focus
 exports RAW files
68
 you can focus manually
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 features face detection autofocus
 delivers RAW files
 sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
 Sony A7S II as a Street photography camera
70
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 includes touch focus
 weather sealing
 good high ISO (25,600)
 more heavy than competition in class (1,340g)
78
 has a tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proof
 very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z9 Sports photography advice
Sony A7S II Sports photography advice
90
 quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent  resolution (46MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 weather sealing
 better than average battery power (740 CIPA)
 has phase detect auto focus
58
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 features tracking autofocus
 environment proof
 max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
 sensor resolution not great (12MP)
 not so great battery life (370 per charge)
 lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Travel photography camera
 Sony A7S II as a Travel photography camera
65
 better than average battery power (740 CIPA)
 weather sealing
 connects via bluetooth
 includes touch focus
 excellent  resolution (46 megapixels)
 more heavy than competition in class (1,340 grams)
 display isn't selfie friendly
49
 environment proof
 not so great battery life (370 CIPA)
 sensor resolution not great (12MP)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7S II Landscape photography factors
87
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is good (3.2 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent  resolution (46 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 good high ISO (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 weather sealing
 better than average battery power (740 shots)
 has dual storage slots
71
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 decent sized screen (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 very good ISO range (102,400)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proof
 sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
 not so great battery life (370 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z9 Vlogging details
Sony A7S II Vlogging details
32
 touchscreen enabled
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect focus
 good video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
 has microphone jack
 display isn't selfie friendly
 more heavy than competition in class (1,340 grams)
35
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detection autofocus
 high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 includes external microphone port
 does not have selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A7S II
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A7S II
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2021-10-28 2015-10-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 25600 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 409600
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW photos    
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points 493 169
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 2,089k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt 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 no built-in flash
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
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 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 1340 gr (2.95 lbs) 627 gr (1.38 lbs)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 2993
Other
Battery life 740 shots 370 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording   With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual CFexpress Type B slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $5,500 $2,767