Decision tools · Compare
Z5 vs A1 II
Quick take: The A1 II has the highest resolution at 50MP; the Z5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 II 2024
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work
£5699
new today at Clifton Cameras
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z5 — Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers: The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
A1 II — Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work: The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
A1 II (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
- Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
- Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
- Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z5Nikon · 2020 | A1 IISony · 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,249Best | £5,699 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS) |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanicalBest |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~530 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 590g (body only)Best | 743g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony E-mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z5
A1 II
Portrait
7.7/10
9.0/10
Street
6.1/10
6.6/10
Travel
5.9/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
8.7/10
Filmmaking
6.1/10
8.2/10
Documentary
6.7/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
9.3/10
Landscape
6.1/10
8.0/10
Wildlife
6.8/10
9.2/10
Casual
5.2/10
5.3/10
Food
6.6/10
8.5/10
Macro
6.4/10
8.1/10
Architecture
6.0/10
8.4/10
Astrophotography
6.4/10
7.2/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.4/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history