Sony a9 vs Nikon Z30

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a9 and Nikon Z30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a9 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z30 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a9 were released 2017 and Nikon Z30 was released 2022. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a9 2017
Nikon Z30 2022

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a9 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon Z30 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 Z30 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 Z30 has 21 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 Z30 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Sony a9 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon Z30. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a9 100-51200
Nikon Z30 100-51200

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 Z30

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 Z30 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a9 20
Nikon Z30 11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a9 and Nikon Z30 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.

Sony a9 weighs 673 gr (equal to 1.48 lb) which is 66% heavier than Nikon Z30 and its 405 gr (or 0.89 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a9 673 gr
1.48 lb
Nikon Z30 405 gr
0.89 lb

Sony a9 vs Nikon Z30 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a9 and Nikon Z30, 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 Z30
Name Sony a9 Nikon Z30
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
Release Year 2017 2022
Release Date 2017-04-19 2022-06-29
MSRP 4499 USD 710 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
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 CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 10 0
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 Z30
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
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 693 209
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
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 Z30
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1440000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 0
Photography features
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
Frames per second 20 fps 11 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
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 a9
Nikon Z30
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wireless) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a9
Nikon Z30
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots 330 shots
Width 127 mm 128 mm
Height 96 mm 74 mm
Depth 63 mm 60 mm
Weight 673 gram 405 gram