Decision tools · Compare
Nikon ZR vs A9
Quick take: The Nikon ZR has the highest resolution at 25MP.
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
A9 2017
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography
£1999
list price · used from £1012 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A9 — Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography: The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
Who should buy what
A9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Nikon ZRNikon · 2025 | A9Sony · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999Best | £1,999Best |
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 25.0MPBest | 24.2MP |
| Video | 6K/60p, 4K/120p, internal R3D NE/N-RAW, ProRes, 10-bit N-Log, 32-bit float audio | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject detection | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop IBIS (Synchro VR) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA); ~90-125 min continuous recording | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 630g (with battery and card)Best | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | — | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None (screen only) | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 4.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B + microSD | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI (micro), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, 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
Nikon ZR
A9
Portrait
6.6/10
7.5/10
Street
4.8/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
7.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.5/10
—
Filmmaking
7.9/10
6.7/10
Documentary
8.1/10
6.8/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
8.2/10
Landscape
6.1/10
6.1/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
8.2/10
Casual
5.7/10
4.6/10
Food
7.8/10
6.5/10
Macro
6.2/10
5.8/10
Architecture
7.2/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
7.3/10
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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