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Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
65
Imaging
72
Features
93
Overall
80
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost 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
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Push to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Released March 2023
Photography Glossary

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Sony A9 versus Sony ZV-E1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and they are both sold by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the A9 (24MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The A9 was brought out 7 years prior to the ZV-E1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-E1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the A9 scores versus the ZV-E1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony ZV-E1

 A9 ZV-E1 
Display resolution1440k1037kCrisper display (+403k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Sony A9

 ZV-E1 A9 
ReleasedMarch 2023April 2017More modern by 72 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony ZV-E1

 A9 ZV-E1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3.00"Equivalent display measurement
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Sony A9 has external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) while the Sony ZV-E1 has specifications of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A9 versus Sony ZV-E1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the A9 compared to the ZV-E1.

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A9 and ZV-E1 is 65 and 80 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A9 and ZV-E1.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A9 to provide you with more detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged A9 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography information
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
71
manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography factors
Sony ZV-E1 Street photography factors
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has touch to focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
84
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than competitors (483g)
good high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A9
Sports photography with Sony ZV-E1
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery life (650 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
71
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (570 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/ seconds)
low MP (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 Travel photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Travel photography information
73
great battery life (650 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
79
good battery power (570 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (483g)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
selfie friendly screen
low MP (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A9
Landscape photography with Sony ZV-E1
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery life (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery power (570 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging info
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging info
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
85
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 1920 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than competitors (483g)
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Sony A9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony ZV-E1
 Sony Alpha A9Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony ZV-E1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-04-19 2023-03-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 51200 102400
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 409600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 50 40
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 693 759
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 195
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.00 inches
Resolution of display 1,440k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s -
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x1920
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673 grams (1.48 lbs) 483 grams (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3517 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 shots 570 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Dual Single
Price at launch $4,498 $2,198