Sony A9 vs Nikon D780

Cameras
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Sony A9 vs Nikon D780

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35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Nikon D780

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Nikon D780

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A9

Less expensive
$2097 vs $2995*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

2260 vs 650 shots
Capture more 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
786k 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 Deals

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3999
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D780

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1947
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$3999
35mm

Built-in GPS
Thinner

Compare Nikon D780 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A9

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2995
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A9 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1947
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2204
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Nikon D780

Sony A7R III

$1947
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2204
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A9

Pentax K-1 II

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$1947
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Nikon D780

Sony A9 II

$1947
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

$4498
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

Compare Nikon D780 vs Sony A9 II

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