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Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1

Portability
51 Imaging
82 Features
90 Overall
85
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
82 Features
93 Overall
86

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 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
  • Released October 2021
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon Z9 and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Z9 (46MP) and the a1 (50MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The Z9 was announced 10 months later than the a1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Z9 scores vs the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 Z9 a1 
ReleasedOctober 2021January 2021More recent by 10 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2089k1440kCrisper screen (+649k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 a1 Z9 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony a1

		

		

			
 Z9 a1 
Manually focus  More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z9 has got outside dimensions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) and the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon Z9 and Sony a1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the Z9 and the a1.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and a1 is 51 and 61 respectively.
Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z9 and a1.
As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony a1 to show more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher Z9 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.
	
			Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Nikon Z9 Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
89
 has manual focus
 resolution is amazing (46MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 offers face detection focus
 supports RAW files
89
 manual focus
 flash sync speed is above average (1/400s)
 great  resolution (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 has face detect focus
 saves RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
 Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
70
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 features focus by touch
 environment sealing
 good ISO range (25,600)
 more heavy than competitors in class (1,340g)
79
 tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 saves RAW files
 offers focus by touch
 environment proof
 above average high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z9 Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
91
 quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 offers tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 good battery pack (740 shots)
 supports phase detect auto focus
91
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames per second)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great  resolution (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 has tracking focus
 environment proof
 great battery (530 per charge)
 sensor has phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Nikon Z9 Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
65
 good battery pack (740 shots)
 environment sealing
 has bluetooth
 features focus by touch
 resolution is amazing (46MP)
 more heavy than competitors in class (1,340 grams)
 display isn't selfie friendly
74
 great battery (530 per charge)
 environment proof
 connects via bluetooth
 offers focus by touch
 great  resolution (50 megapixels)
 doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
87
 has manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 good sized screen (3.2 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 good ISO range (25,600)
 supports RAW files
 environment sealing
 good battery pack (740 CIPA)
 has dual storage slots
88
 manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 great  resolution (50MP)
 big sensor size (Full frame)
 above average high ISO (32,000)
 saves RAW files
 environment proof
 great battery (530 CIPA)
 two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z9 Vlogging features
Sony a1 Vlogging features
32
 built-in touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detection focus
 video res high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
 comes with external microphone jack
 display isn't selfie friendly
 more heavy than competitors in class (1,340g)
37
 has touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detect focus
 high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
 includes mic socket
 doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony a1
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2021-10-28 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type Stacked CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 50 megapixels
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 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest boosted ISO 102400 102400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos    
Min boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
Number of focus points 493 759
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 29 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,089 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 30.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
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    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/400 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 7680x4320
Video file format H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 lb) 737 grams (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 740 photographs 530 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage Dual CFexpress Type B slots Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Dual
Retail pricing $5,500 $6,498