• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D4 advantages over Sony A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $4500 vs $6498
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2600 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 165 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 155 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D4

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    737g vs 1347g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4
Canon 1DX
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon 1DX

Sony A1
Canon 1DX
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Sony A1
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D4
Nikon D4S
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon D4 vs Nikon D4S

Sony A1
Nikon D4S
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Nikon D4
Sony A7R IV
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D4 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D4
Canon R5
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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