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Nikon Z f vs Sony ZV-E1

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ fSonyZV-E1
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2023April 2023
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated CMOSExmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP12.1 MP
Largest image6048 × 40324240 × 2832
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–6400080–102400
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off data for NX Studio. Pixel-shift frames require software combination and a static camera/subject; no composite resolution is substituted for the single-frame main figure.Back-illuminated full-frame sensor; approximately 10.1 million effective pixels for movies; optical low-pass filter and anti-dust function
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF. Firmware 3.00 adds adjustable Film Grain for stills/video with movie restrictions.JPEG, HEIF and RAW (Sony ARW 4.0); 14-bit RAW; RAW+JPEG and RAW+HEIF
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–64000, expandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Movie ISO 100–51200 with format-dependent expansion; physical dial and command-dial ranges differ.Standard ISO 80–102400; Sony's current specification lists expanded ISO 40–409600 for stills and movies, while its launch announcement gave the movie expansion as ISO 80–409600
Image processorEXPEED 7BIONZ XR with a dedicated AI processing unit for subject recognition
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountSony E
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst30 fps10 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require an adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions. Manual-focus subject detection and focus confirmation available with compatible setups.Sony E-mount; compatible full-frame and APS-C lenses
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills; subject detection and 3D tracking. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, f/1.2 and 20°C.Fast Hybrid AF; up to 759 phase-detection points for stills and 627 for movies; EV −6 to 20 at ISO 100 with an F2 lens; human, animal, bird, insect, car, train and airplane recognition with Real-time Tracking
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic; 1/8000 to 30 seconds using command dial, with Bulb/Time and manual extension to 900 seconds. Physical dial covers 1/8000 to 4 seconds plus special settings. Flash sync 1/200 and Auto FP support; threaded shutter button accepts a cable release.Electronic shutter only; stills 30 seconds to 1/8000 second; flash sync 1/30 second full-frame or 1/60 second APS-C
Burst detailOrdinary high approximately 7.8 fps and extended high up to 14 fps, subject to format restrictions. C15/C30 high-speed capture reaches 30 fps with pre-release capture for JPEG normal; it is not a 30 fps RAW mode.Full-resolution Hi+ up to approximately 10 fps; over 1000 JPEG or compressed RAW images under Sony's test conditions; 85 uncompressed RAW or 57 uncompressed RAW+JPEG images
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; Nikon claims 8 stops under CIPA with NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has compatible-lens and AF-area restrictions; electronic video VR available.Five-axis sensor-shift mechanism; up to five stops for stills, CIPA pitch/yaw test with FE 50 mm F1.2 GM. Movie Standard, Active and Dynamic active modes; Dynamic active narrows the angle of view more than Active
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; compatible external flashes through the Multi Interface Shoe
Exposure controlsAuto and P/S/A/M; physical compensation dial ±3 EV, command control ±5 EV in C setting; dedicated black-and-white switch1200-zone evaluative metering; ±5 EV compensation; Product Showcase, Background Defocus, Creative Looks, Cinematic Vlog, Auto Framing and Framing Stabiliser
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 60 fps3840 × 2160 at 119.88 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 up to 60p in cropped DX mode; full-frame UHD up to 30p oversampled from 6K. Full HD up to 120p. H.265 8/10-bit and H.264, N-Log, HLG, waveform and timecode; current maker table lists Hi-Res Zoom. Maximum recording time 125 minutes, subject to temperature, power and media conditions; no internal RAW video listed.Launch recording up to 59.94 fps NTSC or 50 fps PAL at 3840 × 2160. Free installed 4K 120p licence available from 28 June 2023 adds 119.88/100 fps XAVC S/HS 4K, including 4:2:2 10-bit at 280 Mbit/s, with approximately 10% image crop and regional restrictions. All-Intra 4K up to 59.94 fps at 600 Mbit/s; no RAW video output. Upgraded Full HD 240 fps S&Q reads 1420 × 804 sensor pixels, so it is not native Full HD detail
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone input and headphone monitoringIntelligent three-capsule stereo microphone with Auto, Front, All Directions and Rear directivity; windscreen; microphone and headphone sockets; digital audio through the Multi Interface Shoe
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicNone
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0001,036,800
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; Touch Fn supports settings and focus-point adjustment while using the viewfinder; dots count subpixelsSide-opening LCD opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; full touch controls; dots count colour subpixels
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint–
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)430 photographs570 photographs
Body weight630 g399 g
Release detailNikon US states first availability in mid-October 2023; main retains month precision. The later silver exterior is the same camera hardware, and Nikon explicitly states firmware 3.00 supports both original and silver editions.Sony's UK announcement specifies April 2023 availability; month precision retained
Recording mediaPrimary UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot and secondary UHS-I microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recordingSingle SD memory-card slot with UHS-I and UHS-II support; V90 card required for XAVC S-I
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone socketsUSB-C with SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbit/s, Micro HDMI, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, and Multi Interface Shoe; USB webcam streaming up to 4K 30 fps
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge. Nikon Imaging Cloud and automatic firmware updates supported by current firmware.Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz, subject to regional restrictions; Bluetooth 4.2; smartphone remote control and PC Remote
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 430 monitor shots with power saving enabled or 380 without; EVF 410 with power saving or 360 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2. Movie battery-life claim approximately 90 minutes; EN-EL15b/15a compatibility gives shorter endurance.NP-FZ100; CIPA claim approximately 570 photographs, 95 minutes actual movie operation or 140 minutes continuous recording using the LCD
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with compatible equipment; optional EH-8P/EH-7P; EN-EL15c/15b rechargeable in camera. Nikon UK states no charger included.USB charging and power supply with USB Power Delivery; battery must be installed for USB power
DimensionsApproximately 144 × 103 × 49 mmApproximately 121.0 × 71.9 × 54.3 mm (width × height × depth, grip to monitor)
Weight detailApproximately 630 g body only or 710 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover; TechRadar's body-only narrative uses the battery/card figure, so main follows Nikon.Approximately 399 g body only; 483 g including battery and memory card
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy front and top covers, brass control dials and embossed artificial leather; dust- and drip-resistant constructionDust and moisture resistant design; Sony does not guarantee complete dust or moisture protection
ColoursOriginal black and later silver finishes with maker-specific exterior colour options; cosmetic variants remain one hardware product. Photograph shows the current silver/black finish.–
In the boxEN-EL15c battery, UC-E25 USB cable, BF-N1 body cap, AN-DC27 strap, BS-1 shoe cover and DK-33 eyepieceNP-FZ100 battery, shoulder strap, windscreen, windscreen adapter, body cap and accessory shoe cap

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