Decision tools · Compare
Zf vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the Zf is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·16 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?
Zf — Street & Travel Photography: Full-frame performance in a stunning retro body — the Zf's 8-stop IBIS and gorgeous design make it uniquely compelling.
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
Zf (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers who want full-frame Z quality in a retro-styled body
- Street and travel photographers attracted to the classic dial aesthetic
- Zfc owners who want to step up to full-frame without losing the retro design
- Anyone who wants the best-looking full-frame mirrorless available
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 | ZfNikon · 2023 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,099Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, FHD/120p, N-Log, 10-bit | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 8.0 stops | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 630g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 144.0 × 103.0 × 49.0mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | SD UHS-II + microSD UHS-I | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 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
Zf
A1
Portrait
8.4/10
8.2/10
Street
6.5/10
6.1/10
Travel
6.2/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
8.1/10
7.9/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
—
Filmmaking
7.3/10
7.8/10
Documentary
7.7/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
8.2/10
8.8/10
Landscape
7.0/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
8.3/10
8.7/10
Casual
5.4/10
4.8/10
Food
7.7/10
7.4/10
Macro
7.3/10
7.3/10
Architecture
7.3/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
7.4/10
6.8/10
Fun & simple
4.5/10
—
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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