The Sony a9 was the first mirrorless camera from Sony that showed that DSLRs are on their way out, and the Nikon Zf is a fairly recent, retro release from Nikon. Despite the differences, these two cameras have some similarities in price and performance, so you might be wondering which is better. Read on to find out!
Sony a9 vs Nikon Zf Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Sony a9 | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2017 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.2 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6000×4000 | 6048×4032 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.9µ | 5.9µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 5 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Compressed 12-bit raw at 20 FPS (uncompressed 12-bit raw is available at 12 FPS) | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 241 frames (20 FPS) | Over 200 frames |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 693 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -3 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.2x crop at 4K 30p (4K 24/25p has no additional crop) | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-I) | Micro SD (UHS-I) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.44 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.80x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type B 2.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 480 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 650 frames | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 588 g (1.30 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 96 x 73 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9″)1 | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4500 (Discontinued) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Sony a9 Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices |
| 1The Sony a9’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the a9’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Zf’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zf’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
On paper, these two cameras are fairly similar in a lot of ways. They’ve got about the same resolution of 24MP, and they’re both higher-end cameras. But they have quite a few differences two. Although the Nikon Zf certainly has capable autofocus, it doesn’t have the a9’s stacked sensor. So while the Zf incorporates some of the newer autofocus developments from the newer Nikon Z9 and Z8, it will not be as fast as the a9. In terms of pure autofocus capabilities, I would still trust the a9 over the Zf.
On the other hand, the Zf is a better video camera with 10-bit video over the 8-bit video of the a9, and it can shoot in 4K60 instead of the 4K30 of the a9.
I would say, overall, the a9 is still a great camera for action, and would be a great option for someone who is willing to get a used copy to save a little money. The Zf is an amazing general-purpose camera that can do action in a pinch and many other sorts of photography as well. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, and of course, you should also consider the lens ecosystems as well.
What does the Sony a9 offer over the Nikon Zf?
- Stacked sensor, so faster and more reliable autofocus
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 120 more shots according to CIPA measurements
- Lighter weight (122g lighter or about 1.2 times lighter)
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Sony a9?
- Better video
- Higher resolution rear display, with about 1.5x more dots, making image review in the field easier
- Lower MSRP, but that difference is largely negated because the Sony a9 is older and there are some very used cheap mdoels out there.
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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