Sony a9 vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a9 and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a9 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D1 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a9 were released 2017 and Nikon D1 was released 1999. That is a 18 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a9 2017
Nikon D1 1999

Type of camera

Sony a9 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D1 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a9 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D1 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 a9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D1 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 a9 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a9 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312

Sony a9 has a 815 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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

Sony a9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Sony a9 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a9 100-51200
Nikon D1 200-1600

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 a9
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a9 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a9 20
Nikon D1 4,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a9. Unfortunately Nikon D1 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 78% heavier than Sony a9 and its 673 gr (or 1.48 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a9 673 gr
1.48 lb
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Sony a9 vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a9 and Nikon D1, 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 a9
Nikon D1
Name Sony a9 Nikon D1
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a9
Nikon D1
Release Year 2017 1999
Release Date 2017-04-19 1999-06-15
MSRP 4499 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a9
Nikon D1
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a9
Nikon D1
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 CCD
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 2,7 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a9
Nikon D1
ISO Range 100 - 51200 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a9
Nikon D1
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
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 693 5
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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 a9
Nikon D1
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2”
Screen dots 1440000 130000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Sony a9
Nikon D1
Frames per second 20 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/16000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center 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 a9
Nikon D1
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a9
Nikon D1
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a9
Nikon D1
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wireless) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a9
Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots N/A
Width 127 mm 157 mm
Height 96 mm 153 mm
Depth 63 mm 85 mm
Weight 673 gram 1200 gram