Sony a77 II vs Nikon Z8

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a77 II and Nikon Z8. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a77 II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z8 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a77 II were released 2014 and Nikon Z8 was released 2023. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a77 II 2014
Nikon Z8 2023

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a77 II has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z8 has a "Nikon FX"-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 a77 II 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 a77 II has a 24 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 a77 II 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon Z8 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z8 has a 89 % larger resolution than Sony a77 II. 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 a77 II. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony a77 II has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a77 II 100-51200
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 a77 II
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 a77 II can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a77 II 12
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 a77 II 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 41% heavier than Sony a77 II and its 647 gr (or 1.43 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a77 II 647 gr
1.43 lb
Nikon Z8 910 gr
2.01 lb

Sony a77 II vs Nikon Z8 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a77 II 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 a77 II
Nikon Z8
Name Sony a77 II Nikon Z8
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Release Year 2014 2023
Release Date 2014-05-01 2023-05-10
MSRP 1199 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz X
Image
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
ISO Range 100 - 51200 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 9 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 a77 II
Nikon Z8
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 79 493
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
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 a77 II
Nikon Z8
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1229000 2088960
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type WhiteMagic TFT N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Frames per second 12 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
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 a77 II
Nikon Z8
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, or smartphone) Yes (via app)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a77 II
Nikon Z8
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 340 shots
Width 143 mm 144 mm
Height 104 mm 119 mm
Depth 81 mm 83 mm
Weight 647 gram 910 gram