Sony A9 vs Nikon D5 – Comparison
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
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.
