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Nikon Z 9 vs Sony Alpha 7R IVA

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 9SonyAlpha 7R IVA
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2021June 2021
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeStacked backside-illuminated CMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.7 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution45.7 MP61 MP
Largest image8256 × 55049504 × 6336
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range64–25600100–32000
Sensor detail52.37 million total pixels; sensor cleaning, dust-off reference data, protective sensor shield and electro-conductive/fluorine coatingsApproximately 62.5 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor. Four- or 16-frame Pixel Shift Multi Shooting requires computer compositing and a stationary camera and subject.
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and RAW plus JPEGJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed RAW.
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; auto ISO availableStandard still-image ISO 100–32000; expanded ISO 50–102400.
Image processorEXPEED 7BIONZ X and front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst20 fps10 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions–
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection with 493 single-point FX still positions; 3D tracking and subject detection for people, animals and vehicles. Maker sensitivity −6.5 EV or −8.5 EV with Starlight View, measured in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/1.2.Fast Hybrid AF with 567 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast points; phase points cover approximately 74% of the image. Real-time tracking and human/animal Eye AF for stills; human Eye AF in movies. APS-C point counts differ.
ShutterElectronic shutter only, with selectable sound and protective sensor shield; 1/32000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 or 1/250 second with reduced guide number at higher speeds; compatible Auto FP up to 1/8000 may produce horizontal lines.–
Burst detailContinuous high-speed RAW/JPEG up to 20 fps. High-speed C30 provides large full-resolution FX or DX JPEGs and C120 small FX JPEGs (4128 × 2752), with approximately four-second bursts in the linked manual. Firmware 3.00 adds C60 large DX JPEGs, also approximately four seconds; current Japan specs additionally list C15. Pre-release capture supported. These restricted high-speed modes are qualified separately from the main continuous-shooting figure.Up to approximately 10 fps mechanical Hi+ with AF/AE tracking; approximately 8 fps in Hi with live view. Sony's exact IVA feature page lists approximately 7 fps silent electronic Hi+. Maker buffer claim is 68 compressed RAW or 30 uncompressed RAW frames; conditions and memory cards affect results.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; Synchro VR up to 6 stops with supported VR lenses under Nikon CIPA conditions, including NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S with required lens firmware; electronic movie VR availableFive-axis sensor shift; Sony claims 5.5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off.
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 threaded sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights–
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering–
Video
Highest video resolution8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailWith firmware 2.0 or later, internal N-RAW 12-bit 8256 × 4644 up to 59.94p, 5392 × 3032 up to 59.94p and 4128 × 2322 up to 119.88p. Conventional UHD 7680 × 4320 up to 29.97p; UHD 4K and Full HD up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have format-dependent limits. N-Log/HLG, waveform, timecode and RAW proxies. Nikon's UHD 8K/30p recording-time claim is 125 minutes under specified conditions; launch firmware and the early reviews predate internal RAW video support.Japanese specification lists XAVC S 4K at 30p or 24p and up to 100 Mbps; headline maximum reflects Japanese/NTSC mode. Super 35mm uses full-pixel readout without binning with a narrower field of view; full-frame 4K is a separate mode. HLG, S-Log2 and S-Log3; 8-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output. Full HD 120p is a lower-resolution mode.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; 24-bit PCM recording, external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoring; AAC used for MP4Stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets. Multi Interface Shoe supports digital audio with compatible accessories.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0002,359,296
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailFour-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsTFT LCD tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; touch focus and touchpad operation. ILCE-7RM4A uses 2,359,296 dots, compared with 1,440,000 on the original ILCE-7RM4. Sony confirms the display change affects battery ratings without changing body dimensions or weight.
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 23 mm eyepoint; blackout-free display with high-frame-rate option0.5-inch electronic viewfinder with 5,760,000 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification; selectable 60/120 fps display.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)770 photographs660 photographs
Body weight1160 g580 g
Release detailNikon Japan explicitly records first sale on 24 December 2021; US announcement on 28 October specified availability within 2021. TechRadar's later regional delivery-delay wording does not override the confirmed Japanese first sale.Sony Japan's product-registration list specifies June 2021 for ILCE-7RM4A; this is the Japanese on-sale month, not a UK release claim. No manufacturer day was found.
Recording mediaTwo CFexpress Type B/XQD slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation, duplicate JPEG recording and card copyingTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, both supporting UHS-II; simultaneous, relay and separate-media recording.
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, full-size HDMI Type A, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets, ten-pin remote terminal and threaded flash-sync socket; RJ-45 Ethernet 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-TUSB Type-C, Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, sync terminal and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; built-in GNSS supports GPS, GLONASS and QZSS with location/time recording and track logsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz, NFC and Bluetooth 4.1 smartphone connection.
Battery life detailEN-EL18d; CIPA monitor approximately 770 shots with power saving or 740 without; EVF 740 with power saving or 700 without. Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test gives approximately 5310 shots; movie battery claim approximately 170 minutes. Earlier EN-EL18-series batteries give fewer shots.NP-FZ100; CIPA approximately 660 photographs with LCD or 530 with viewfinder; USB charging and power supported.
ChargingUSB charging/power delivery and MH-33 external charger; optional EH-7P charging supports EN-EL18d/18c/18b, while earlier battery revisions retain restrictions; optional EH-6d with EP-6a power connector–
DimensionsApproximately 149 × 149.5 × 90.5 mmApproximately 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 67.3 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 1160 g body only or 1340 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe coverApproximately 580 g body only; 665 g with battery and memory card; lens excluded.
MaterialsWeather-sealed magnesium-alloy body with integrated vertical grip; maker operating range −10°C to 40°C–
In the boxEN-EL18d, MH-33 charger, AN-DC24 strap, UC-E24 USB cable, HDMI/USB cable clip, BS-1 shoe cover and BF-N1 body cap; current UK included-accessory tiles also list EH-7P UK adapterPower cord, NP-FZ100 battery, cable protector, BC-QZ1 charger, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and USB Type-C cable, according to Sony Japan.

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