Sony a9 vs Nikon Df

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

Manufacturing

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

Sony a9 were released 2017 and Nikon Df was released 2013. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a9 2017
Nikon Df 2013

Type of camera

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

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 a9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Df 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 a9 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Df has 16 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 Df 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Sony a9 has a 48 % larger resolution than Nikon Df. 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 Df. Sony a9 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon Df has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a9 100-51200
Nikon Df 100-12800

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 Df

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 Df can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

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

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 Df 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 Df weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 13% heavier than Sony a9 and its 673 gr (or 1.48 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a9 673 gr
1.48 lb
Nikon Df 760 gr
1.68 lb

Sony a9 vs Nikon Df Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a9 and Nikon Df, 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 Df
Name Sony a9 Nikon Df
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a9
Nikon Df
Release Year 2017 2013
Release Date 2017-04-19 2013-11-05
MSRP 4499 USD 2749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a9
Nikon Df
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a9
Nikon Df
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 CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a9
Nikon Df
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 10 12
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a9
Nikon Df
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
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 693 39
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
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 a9
Nikon Df
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1440000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Sony a9
Nikon Df
Frames per second 20 fps 5,5 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 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) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a9
Nikon Df
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 Df
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a9
Nikon Df
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Optional via WU-1a wireless mobile adapter
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wireless) Yes (Cable release, wireless remote)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a9
Nikon Df
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
EN-EL14/EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots 1400 shots
Width 127 mm 144 mm
Height 96 mm 110 mm
Depth 63 mm 67 mm
Weight 673 gram 760 gram