Z7vs A1

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon Z7 (2018) Starting from £1099 new Best for Landscape, studio, commercial View Z7

Sony A1 (2021) Starting from £5999 new Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting View A1

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Landscape, Studio, Commercial — Z7 (2018): 45MP full-frame in the same body as the Z6 — choose your priority.

Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting — A1 (2021): 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Z7 (2018)

Nikon shooters who need maximum resolution
Landscape photographers coming from DSLR

A1 (2021)

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

Quick take: The a1 has the highest resolution at 50mp; the z7 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification	Z7 (2018)	A1 (2021)
Price	£1,099	£5,999
Sensor	Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm	50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS
Resolution	45.7MP	50.1MP
Video	4K 30fps, 1080p 120fps	8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	493-point phase-detect hybrid AF	Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops	IBIS — up to 5.5 stops
Burst Rate	9fps	30fps electronic with full AF/AE
Battery Life	330 shots (CIPA)	~430 shots (CIPA)
Weight	585g (body only)	737g (with battery)
Dimensions	134.0 × 100.5 × 67.5mm	128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF 0.80× 3.69M-dot	EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps
Screen	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M-dot	3.0" fully tilting touchscreen
Mount	Nikon Z-Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single XQD / CFexpress Type B	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C 3.1, HDMI	USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI

Suitability by genre

Genre	Z7	A1
Sports	—	9.0
Portrait	—	9.0
Wildlife	—	9.0
Vlogging & Video	—	9.0
Landscape	—	9.0
Wedding	—	9.0

⚡ Compare specs side by side Z7 prices → A1 prices →

More comparisons with Z7

Camera family history