Sony a1 vs Nikon Z8
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Nikon Z8. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z8 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a1 were released 2021 and Nikon Z8 was released 2023. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a1 | 2021 |
Nikon Z8 | 2023 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a1 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon Z8 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 Z8 has 46 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 Z8 |
46 MP
45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504 |
Sony a1 has a 10 % larger resolution than Nikon Z8. 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 Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a1. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony a1 has 100 to 32000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a1 | 100-32000 |
Nikon Z8 | 32-102400 |
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 Z8
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 Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a1 | 30 |
Nikon Z8 | 30 |
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 Z8 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.
Nikon Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 23% heavier than Sony a1 and its 737 gr (or 1.62 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a1 | 737 gr 1.62 lb |
Nikon Z8 | 910 gr 2.01 lb |
Sony a1 vs Nikon Z8 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Nikon Z8, 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 Z8 |
Name | Sony a1 | Nikon Z8 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2023 |
Release Date | 2021-01-26 | 2023-05-10 |
MSRP | 6499 USD | 3999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
Resolution | 8640 x 5760 pixels | 8256 x 5504 pixels |
Megapixels | 50 MP | 46 MP |
Image Processor | Dual Bionz XR | |
Image |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 32 - 102400 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 9 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-shift) |
Yes (Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 759 | 493 |
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 |
FX (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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 2088960 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× | 0.8× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 9437184 | 3686400 |
Photography features |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Frames per second | 30 fps | 30 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/32000 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, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 H.265 XF-AVC XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
H.264 H.265 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
|
Connectivity |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band) |
Yes Built-In |
Remote Control | Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) | Yes (via app) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a1 |
Nikon Z8 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
EN-EL15c
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 530 shots | 340 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 144 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 119 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 83 mm |
Weight | 737 gram | 910 gram |