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 |