Sony a7R IIIA vs Nikon Z9
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon Z9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7R IIIA is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z9 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
These two camera models were both released 2021.Camera | Released |
Sony a7R IIIA | 2021 |
Nikon Z9 | 2021 |
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 a7R IIIA | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon Z9 | 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 a7R IIIA has a 42 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z9 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7R IIIA |
42 MP
42177408 pixels 7952 x 5304 |
Nikon Z9 |
46 MP
45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504 |
Nikon Z9 has a 8 % larger resolution than Sony a7R IIIA. 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 Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7R IIIA. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony a7R IIIA has 100 to 32000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7R IIIA | 100-32000 |
Nikon Z9 | 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 a7R IIIA
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z9
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R IIIA can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7R IIIA | 10 |
Nikon Z9 | 30 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon Z9 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 Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 104% heavier than Sony a7R IIIA and its 657 gr (or 1.45 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7R IIIA | 657 gr 1.45 lb |
Nikon Z9 | 1340 gr 2.95 lb |
Sony a7R IIIA vs Nikon Z9 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon Z9, 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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Name | Sony a7R IIIA | Nikon Z9 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2021 |
Release Date | 2021-04-07 | 2021-10-28 |
MSRP | 3199 USD | 5500 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | Full Stacked CMOS |
Resolution | 7952 x 5304 pixels | 8256 x 5504 pixels |
Megapixels | 42 MP | 46 MP |
Image Processor | BIONZ X | EXPEED 7 |
Image |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 32 - 102400 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 9 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
Yes (Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 6 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
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 | 399 | 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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 2360000 | 2088960 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.8x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | 3686400 |
Photography features |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Frames per second | 10 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 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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
H.264 H.265 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash Express XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth) |
Yes Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy) |
Remote Control | Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) | Yes (Via app) |
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS) |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon Z9 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots | 740 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 149 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 150 mm |
Depth | 74 mm | 91 mm |
Weight | 657 gram | 1340 gram |