Sony a1 vs Nikon Z fc

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Nikon Z fc. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z fc is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2021.

Camera Released
Sony a1 2021
Nikon Z fc 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon Z fc has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z fc 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z fc has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a1 50 MP
49766400 pixels
8640 x 5760
Nikon Z fc 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Sony a1 has a 141 % larger resolution than Nikon Z fc. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z fc has a larger ISO-range than Sony a1. Nikon Z fc has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a1 has 100 to 32000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a1 100-32000
Nikon Z fc 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z fc

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z fc can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a1 30
Nikon Z fc 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a1 and Nikon Z fc can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 66% heavier than Nikon Z fc and its 445 gr (or 0.98 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a1 737 gr
1.62 lb
Nikon Z fc 445 gr
0.98 lb

Sony a1 vs Nikon Z fc Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Nikon Z fc, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Name Sony a1 Nikon Z fc
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Release Year 2021 2021
Release Date 2021-01-26 2021-06-29
MSRP 6499 USD 959 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8640 x 5760 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 50 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Dual Bionz XR EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 7 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 209
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1440000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 9437184 2360000
Photography features
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Frames per second 30 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
XF-AVC
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a1
Nikon Z fc
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 530 shots 300 shots
Width 129 mm 135 mm
Height 97 mm 94 mm
Depth 81 mm 44 mm
Weight 737 gram 445 gram