Nikon Z7 II vs Sony a1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.75 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7 II
85
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 50.1 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Sony a1
86
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z7 II and Sony a1 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, but each works with a different native lens system. The 2020 Z7 II uses the Nikon Z mount, while the 2021 a1 uses Sony FE, so the lenses you own or plan to buy shape the decision. Measured against each other, the Z7 II is 134 x 101 x 70 mm at 705 g, while the a1 is 129 x 97 x 81 mm at 737 g, making the Sony 32 g heavier and slightly deeper. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2020 | January 26, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 70 mm | 129 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 705 g | 737 g |
| Optics | 86/100 | 89/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a1 is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting at up to 30 fps against 10 fps on the Z7 II, with 759 autofocus points against 439. Its 1/32000 second top shutter also allows shorter exposures than the Nikon's 1/8000 second. As a similarity, both use full-frame CMOS sensors with in-body stabilisation, so handheld work at slower shutter speeds is supported on either body. The a1's 50.1 megapixels leave more room to crop a distant subject than the Z7 II's 45.75, and its 9,437,184-dot viewfinder shows finer detail than the Nikon's 3,690,000 dots. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45.75 MP050 | 50.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8256 x 5504 | 8640 x 5760 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.9 x 35.9 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 30 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Expeed 6 | Dual Bionz XR |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
6430200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 320003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
3230200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 3200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
4390300 | 7590300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 369000009900000 | 943718409900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony a1 is the clear winner for editing flexibility: it records up to 8K, while the Z7 II tops out at 4K. That extra resolution gives editors room to crop or reframe footage while keeping fine detail in the final cut. Both offer a maximum video frame rate of 120 fps, a separate limit from resolution, which supports slow-motion shooting on either camera. The Z7 II also includes a built-in timelapse mode; the a1 does not. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  8K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 7680 x 4320 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 24bit), LPCM 4ch(48 kHz 24bit), MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch |
| Features | 87/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on both bodies lets you keep shooting in rain and dust, and both carry Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer to a phone or laptop. Both rear screens tilt and respond to touch for autofocus placement. Playback review shows finer detail on the Z7 II, whose 3.2-inch screen carries 2.1 million dots against 1.44 million on the a1's 3-inch panel. Neither body has GPS, and both support external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 14400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth accept two memory cards and charge over USB, so capacity for long shoots and topping up the battery between locations work similarly on either body. The card formats differ: the Z7 II pairs SD with CFexpress Type B or XQD, while the a1 pairs SD with CFexpress Type A. Under its stated test conditions, the a1's NP-FZ100 battery is rated for 530 shots against 420 for the Z7 II's EN-EL15c. | ||
| Memory card | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) | SD,CFexpress Type A (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15c | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
420 shots1505000 | 530 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, wildlife and fast-breaking events, the Sony a1 is the better choice, pairing a 30 fps burst with dense autofocus coverage and 8K video for distant, fast-moving subjects. For landscape, studio and travel stills, the Nikon Z7 II holds up well, combining 45.75 megapixels with a built-in timelapse mode for scene transitions.
Because the mounts differ, start from the lens system you intend to build around. Both bodies give you stabilised full-frame shooting, so the native glass and the pace of your subjects should settle the rest.