• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

Buy From

Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Nikon D6

  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 92 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    673g vs 1270g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D6 advantages over Sony A9

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 360k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    327680 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A9
Body Only
All A9 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D6

Review Excerpt

  • New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.

  • Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.

  • Read our Sony A9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D6
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Newer
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D6 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Nikon D5

Sony A9
Nikon D5
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A9 vs Nikon D5

Nikon D6
Nikon D5
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon D6 vs Nikon D5

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9
Sony A7R III
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Nikon D6
Sony A7R III
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D6 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9
Sony A9 II
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Nikon D6
Sony A9 II
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D6 vs Sony A9 II

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark III

Sony A9
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A9 vs Canon 1DX Mark III

Nikon D6
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D6 vs Canon 1DX Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?