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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A7S II

Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85
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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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
89
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)
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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
91
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