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Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 – Comparison

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Here is a quick review and comparison for the Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 cameras. You can check the details of these fast cameras with full-frame image sensors.

Sony has updated the a7 series with a new sensor, faster burst-shooting capability, blackout-free electronic viewfinder, dual card slots, and other enhancements. This makes the Sony A9 an ideal camera for sports, wildlife, action, and even news photography.

Sony has jumped into the PRO Camera market to beat Canon and Nikon. The price of Sony Alpha a9 is almost $2,000 less than the Nikon D5. The A9 costs $4500 while the D5 is currently seeling for $6,496.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a professional camera with full frame sensor, the Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 comparison covers all the important specifications of each camera.

Differences between the Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 cameras

Differences between the Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 Cameras

Below you can see the specs comparison table of Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 full-frame cameras. Some differences like sensor, image size, shooting speed, lcd size etc.. detailed as bold on the table.

Feature Sony A9 Nikon D5
Effective Pixels (megapixels) 24 Million 20.8 Million
Sensor Type / Size CMOS, 36 x 24 mm CMOS, 36 x 24 mm
Sensor Pixel Size ~5.93 microns ~6.4 microns
Image Size 6000 x 4000 5,568 x 3,712
Image Processor BIONZ X EXPEED 5
Image Stabilization 5-Axis sensor shift No
Viewfinder Type EVF / LCD Pentaprism
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.72x
Built-in Flash No No
Storage Media Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I 2x CF OR 2x XQD, serviceable
Continuous Shooting Speed 20 fps with AF/AE 12 fps w/ AF tracking; 14 fps with w/ mirror up
Buffer Size (RAW) 241 images 200
Buffer Size (JPEG) 362 images 200
Max Shutter Speed 30 – 1/32000 1/8000 to 30 sec
Base ISO ISO 100 ISO 100
Native ISO Sensitivity ISO 100-51,200 100-102,400
Boosted ISO Sensitivity ISO 50 – 204800 ISO 50, ISO 3,280,000 (power 15, H5)
Autofocus System Fast Hybrid AF: Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF) 153 points, including 99 cross-type and 15 supported to f/8
Video Output XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4 MOV, MPEG-4 / H.264
Video Maximum Resolution 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30p; full HD up to 120 fps; full sensor readout. 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30p; full HD to 60p; 1.5x crop during 4K
LCD Size 3.0″ Articulating LCD 3.2″ Rear LCD
LCD Resolution 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px) 2,359,000 dots
LCD Touchscreen Yes Yes
Built-in GPS No No
Wi-Fi / NFC Wifi, NFC, Bluetooth not built-in / WT-5A/WT-6A
Battery NP-FZ100 EN-EL18a
Battery Life 650 shots, 105 minutes video footage 3780 CIPA; 110 mins HD footage
USB Version 3.0 3.0
Weight 23.7 oz (673 g)
includes batteries
1,405g (With Battery + Media)
Dimensions 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in.
(127 x 96 x 63 mm)
160 x 158.5 x 92mm
MSRP Price $4,500.00 (as introduced) $6,496.99 (as introduced)

Size Comparison of Sony A9 vs Nikon D5

CameraSize has already add Sony Alpha a9 to their database. So let’s see the size comparison of Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 cameras.

  • Sony Alpha A9 is 21% (33.1 mm) narrower and 40% (62.9 mm) shorter than Nikon D5.
  • Sony Alpha A9 is 32% (29 mm) thinner than Nikon D5.
  • Sony Alpha A9 [673 g] weights 52% (732 grams) less than Nikon D5 [1405 g] (*inc. batteries and memory card).
  • Sony Alpha A9 dimensions: 126.9×95.6×63 mm (camera body only, excluding protrusion)
    Nikon D5 dimensions: 160×158.5×92 mm (camera body only, excluding protrusion)

Conclusion

The Alpha a9 offers 20 fps blackout-free burst shooting with uninterrupted viewing and AF/AE tracking. A larger buffer allows up to 241 compressed RAW images or 362 JPEG images to be captured in one continuous burst. Additionally, 693 phase detection AF points covering 93% of the frame track even the most erratic and fastest-moving subjects across the frame.

The Sony A9 is a lot cheaper so you could spend that money on a bunch of good lenses. It’s also smaller and lighter, which is so much important in action, sports shooting scenes. It is the native ISO sensitivity where Nikon D5 still wins on paper. Apart from that, we see the Sony A9 superiority in every way.