Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Sony
Alpha 7 II
First affordable IBIS full-frame mirrorless that changed the industry.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Nov 2014
Z9 is 6.9 years newer.
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Wins
Z9
Wins
Alpha 7 II
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (5 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 5 fps)
- AZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- AZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 117)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 II
127 × 96 × 60 mm
599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
Z9 is 22mm wider, 54mm taller, and 31mm thicker than Alpha 7 II.
Z9 is 561 g heavier than Alpha 7 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 91mm Z9 · 60mm Alpha 7 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 II
127 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 II
127 × 60 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7 II
35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
856 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z9
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human
Burst (mechanical)
5 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.7, 59.7
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 II supports it
Weight
599 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Alpha 7 II
Pros
- ✓Historic IBIS FF
- ✓Affordable used
- ✓Huge lens catalog
Cons
- –Very dated AF
- –No 4K
- –Superseded many times
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z9 and Alpha 7 II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z9 or Alpha 7 II?
Z9 scores 10.0/10 versus 2.0/10 for Alpha 7 II — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z9 and Alpha 7 II?
Z9 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7 II is 24.3 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z9 and Alpha 7 II have in-body image stabilization?
Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z9 or the Alpha 7 II?
Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic. Alpha 7 II reaches 5 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z9 and Alpha 7 II?
Z9 weighs 1160 g and Alpha 7 II weighs 599 g, so the Alpha 7 II is 561 g lighter.
Do the Z9 and Alpha 7 II record 4K video?
Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7 II: Full HD.
Are the Z9 and Alpha 7 II weather sealed?
Z9: Yes. Alpha 7 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 740 shots (CIPA) for the Z9 and 350 shots for the Alpha 7 II, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z9 launched at $5,499 and Alpha 7 II at $1,999. The Alpha 7 II is $3,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z9 vs Alpha 7 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.