Sony ZV-E1 vs Nikon Z6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony ZV-E1 and Nikon Z6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony ZV-E1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z6 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony ZV-E1 were released 2023 and Nikon Z6 was released 2018. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony ZV-E1 2023
Nikon Z6 2018

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 ZV-E1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z6 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 ZV-E1 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z6 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony ZV-E1 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Nikon Z6 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon Z6 has a 103 % larger resolution than Sony ZV-E1. 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 ZV-E1 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z6. Sony ZV-E1 has an ISO range that stretches from 80 to 102400 while Nikon Z6 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony ZV-E1 80-102400
Nikon Z6 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 ZV-E1
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony ZV-E1 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z6 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony ZV-E1 1
Nikon Z6 12

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony ZV-E1 and Nikon Z6 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 Z6 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 40% heavier than Sony ZV-E1 and its 483 gr (or 1.06 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony ZV-E1 483 gr
1.06 lb
Nikon Z6 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony ZV-E1 vs Nikon Z6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony ZV-E1 and Nikon Z6, 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 ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Name Sony ZV-E1 Nikon Z6
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Release Year 2023 2018
Release Date 2023-03-29 2018-08-23
MSRP 2199 USD 1995 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 25 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR EXPEED 6
Image
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
ISO Range 80 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
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 759 273
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 ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1036800 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3690000
Photography features
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Frames per second 1 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 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 ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (wireless or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony ZV-E1
Nikon Z6
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
EN-EL15b
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots 310 shots
Width 121 mm 134 mm
Height 72 mm 101 mm
Depth 54 mm 68 mm
Weight 483 gram 675 gram