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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9

Portability
51 Imaging
81 Features
90 Overall
84
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81

Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand 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 A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Successor is Sony A9 II
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon Z9 and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and A9 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The Z9 was unveiled 4 years after the A9 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the Z9 scores vs the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony A9

		

		

			
 Z9 A9 
AnnouncedOctober 2021April 2017More modern by 56 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2089k1440kClearer screen (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 A9 Z9 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony A9

		

		

			
 Z9 A9 
Manually focus  Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen  Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 features physical dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
See the Nikon Z9 and Sony A9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the Z9 compared to the A9.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and A9 is 51 and 65 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z9 and A9.
As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon Z9 to show greater detail having an extra 22MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger Z9 provides an edge in sensor technology.
	
			Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Nikon Z9
Portrait photography with Sony A9
88
 manual focus
 sensor resolution is great (46MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 supports face detect focus
 delivers RAW formats
83
 has manual focus
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 offers face detect autofocus
 exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Nikon Z9 Street photography features
Sony A9 Street photography features
70
 screen tilts up and down
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 delivers RAW formats
 provides touch to focus
 weather sealing
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 heavier than competition in class (1,340g)
79
 tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW formats
 provides focus by touch
 environment sealing
 good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z9 Sports photography advice
Sony A9 Sports photography advice
90
 silent shutter (1/32,000s)
 max fps high (30.0 frames per second)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is great (46 megapixels)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 supports tracking focus
 weather sealing
 good battery life (740 per charge)
 comes with phase detect auto focus
86
 high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
 max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 environment sealing
 good battery power (650 shots)
 comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Nikon Z9
Travel photography with Sony A9
65
 good battery life (740 CIPA)
 weather sealing
 supports bluetooth
 provides touch to focus
 sensor resolution is great (46 megapixels)
 heavier than competition in class (1,340g)
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
73
 good battery power (650 shots)
 environment sealing
 has bluetooth
 provides focus by touch
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
87
 manual focus
 swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is good (3.2")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is great (46 megapixels)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 delivers RAW formats
 weather sealing
 good battery life (740 CIPA)
 two card slots
85
 has manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 pretty good screen size (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 good ISO range (51,200)
 exports RAW formats
 environment sealing
 good battery power (650 per charge)
 has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z9 Vlogging advice
Sony A9 Vlogging advice
32
 touchscreen functionality
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 supports face detect focus
 high res video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
 does have mic socket
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
 heavier than competition in class (1,340 grams)
36
 touchscreen capability
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect autofocus
 high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 does have mic jack
 display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony A9 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony A9
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha A9
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-28 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 24MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max boosted ISO 102400 204800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format    
Lowest boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Total focus points 493 693
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 2,089 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dot 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs -
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 -
Max video resolution 7680x4320 3840x2160
Video data format H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input    
Headphone input    
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 proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 1340g (2.95 lb) 673g (1.48 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 740 photos 650 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18d NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Two Two
Retail pricing $5,500 $4,498