Decision tools · Compare
Z5 vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the Z5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 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 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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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 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
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 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z5Nikon · 2020 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,249Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA)Best | ~430 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
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
Portrait
7.7/10
8.2/10
Street
6.1/10
6.1/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
7.9/10
Filmmaking
6.1/10
7.8/10
Documentary
6.7/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
8.8/10
Landscape
6.1/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
6.8/10
8.7/10
Casual
5.2/10
4.8/10
Food
6.6/10
7.4/10
Macro
6.4/10
7.3/10
Architecture
6.0/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
6.4/10
6.8/10
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 →
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