The Sony Alpha 1 was first introduced on January twenty sixth, 2023, whereas the brand new Nikon Z8 was introduced on tenth Might 2023. Each are flagship 35mm full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Now that we all know the whole lot in regards to the Sony A1 and Nikon Z8, it is clear that they really share loads of similarities on the subject of their core specs and options, so which one do you have to decide?
We’re bringing you this in-depth Nikon Z8 vs Sony Alpha 1 head-to-head comparability that will help you select between these two full-frame mirrorless cameras.
It’s also possible to learn our detailed Sony Alpha 1 overview to seek out out precisely what we consider it.
Sensor and Processor
The Sony A1 has a 50 megapizel sensor and the Nikon Z8 has a forty five.7 megapixel sensor, giving the Sony a slight edge in out-and-out decision, though you’d most likely be hard-pressed to inform the distinction between the 2 in the true world.
Each cameras even have a stacked, back-side illuminated sensor. A stacked sensor will increase the imaging pace for sooner burst taking pictures (extra on that later), while the BSI Again Aspect Illuminated) aspect has the potential to enhance the low-light-imaging functionality.
ISO Vary
The native ISO vary of the Nikon Z8 is 64 to 25,600, which will be expanded all the way down to ISO 32 and as much as 102,400.
The ISO vary of the Sony Alpha 1 runs from 100 to 32,000, which will be additional expanded all the way down to ISO 50 and as much as ISO 102,400.
Pixel Shift Multi Taking pictures
The Sony A1 has a particular multi-shot taking pictures mode wherein it takes 16 completely different pictures which will be mixed utilizing the Imaging Edge desktop software program to provide a single, 199-megapixel picture.
Amazingly, you’ll be able to even use flash throughout this course of if required due to the sensor’s quick readout pace. Word that this mode solely works by maintaining the digital camera completely nonetheless and for non-moving topics.
In stark distinction, the Nikon Z8 would not have any such equal mode.
Video Recording
The Z8 is the second ever Nikon digital camera to supply 8K recording – UHD 8K 60p/30p/24p video will be recorded with no crop.
It additionally affords a wide range of body charges as much as 120p, once more utilizing everything of the body with no crop issue, and 4K UHD video oversampled from 8K is feasible when recording within the 30p/25p/24p modes for even larger sharpness and element.
Inner recording with 10-bit shade and 4:2:2 sampling is supported by way of the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs, and you may extract high-resolution nonetheless frames from 8K footage and save them as particular person 33 megapixel JPEG recordsdata.
The Sony A1 additionally has a headline-grabbing 8K video mode, which together with the Canon Alpha 1 and Nikon Z9 and Z8 makes it considered one of solely 4 digital interchangeable lens cameras to supply this function at current.
The Sony A1 affords 8K/30p 10-bit 4:2:0 XAVC HS video recording with 8.6K oversampling, along with 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 and FullHD at 240fps film taking pictures capabilities, and might output 16-bit Uncooked video over HDMI.
There may be one key video distinction between the 2 cameras – the Z8 can file 8K/30p for 90 minutes and 4K/60p for over 2 hours with out overheating, whereas the Sony A1 has a 30 minute advisory restrict, however is allegedly in a position to proceed recording for longer than that.
Shutter Speeds
Each cameras help a quickest shutter pace that goes all the way in which to an unbelievable 1/32,000th second.
The A1 additionally has a mechanical shutter with a prime pace of 1/8000th second, whereas the Z8 would not even have a mechanical shutter in any respect.
Burst Taking pictures
The Sony Alpha 1 the Sony A1 can shoot shoot black-out free at 30fps with the digital shutter for 165 JPEG frames or 155 Compressed RAW pictures, though the highest pace is just 10fps when utilizing the mechanical shutter.
It additionally affords a 20fps burst mode at 50 megapixels for as much as 400 JPEGs and 238 Uncooked recordsdata (Compressed, Lossless or Uncompressed)
In order for you even sooner burst taking pictures, although, the Nikon Z8 takes issues to a different stage by having the ability to shoot at as much as 120fps relying on the file format.
The Z8 affords 120fps burst taking pictures – sure, 120fps – however solely at 11 megapixel decision.
When you select to shoot full-resolution 45 megapixel JPEGs, the speed drops to a nonetheless spectacular 30fps, after which down once more to 20fps for full-resolution 45 megapixel Uncooked recordsdata.
Autofocus
The Z8 options Nikon’s most superior auto-focusing system. It has a 493-point phase-detection AF system which incorporates 405 auto-area AF factors, with 100% body protection.
The Sony A1 has an AF system with 759 section detection factors that cowl roughly 92% of the picture space.
Impressively the Alpha 1 also can focus in gentle ranges as little as -4EV (when used with an F2 lens), however the Nikon Z8 can focus in gentle ranges as little as -9EV when used within the Starlight mode.
Because of the Expeed 7 processor, the Z8 affords a variety of deep-learning synthetic intelligence based mostly AF monitoring modes.
Topic monitoring works for people, canine, cats and birds, the latter even in flight, plus autos, together with planes, trains, bicycles and motorbikes.
The brand new Z8 quite surprisingly moreover recognises plane as a topic – both the entire physique, entrance or the cockpit.
The Alpha 1’s deep-learning AI can recognise cats, canine and birds, specializing in their our bodies, faces or eyes, but it surely would not recognise autos.
Physique and Design
This is likely one of the largest variations between the brand new Nikon Z8 and 2020’s Sony Alpha 1.
The Sony A1 largely follows the tried and examined design of seemingly virtually each earlier Sony Alpha digital camera – if it ain’t broke, do not repair it once more appears to be the mantra for the flagship Alpha digital camera.
When it comes to measurement, the Sony A1 is far smaller and lighter than the Z8, weighing in at 737g body-only with a battery fitted and it measures 129 x 97 x 70mm.
The Z8 is 30% smaller and 430g lighter than the flagship Z9, which has a dual-grip design, however at 910g it is considerably heavier than the Alpha 1.
Each cameras can nonetheless be used with an non-compulsory battery grip if you happen to’d desire to have a bigger physique with portrait controls and prolonged battery life.
Climate Resistance
The Nikon Z8 has a magnesium alloy physique that’s each dust- and weather-resistant, similar to the D6 DSLR, with each of these cameras providing the identical stage of weather-proofing as one another.
The Alpha 1 is essentially the most well-built Sony Alpha digital camera that we have ever reviewed. The entrance and rear and the top-plate are all made out of magnesium alloy, and the entire exterior controls are weather-sealed towards each mud and moisture.
IBIS
The Nikon Z8 has a wonderful in-body five-axis picture stabilisation system which gives as much as 6 stops of compensation when paired with sure Z-series lenses that even have their very own built-in Vibration Discount (VR) system.
The Sony A1 has an excellent 5-axis optical in-body picture stabilization system, but it surely solely gives as much as 5.5-stops of compensation.
Viewfinder
The brand new Sony A1 has an unbelievable 9.44M-dot OLED Quad-XGA digital viewfinder with 0.90x magnification and a refresh charge of as much as 240 fps which ensures no black-out.
The Z8 makes use of a a lot decrease decision 3.69M-dot, 0.8x-magnification OLED digital viewfinder that additionally refreshes at 120fps, excellent for monitoring your topic while taking pictures at as much as 30fps.
So Sony clearly wins this battle with its massive, very excessive decision viewfinder.
LCD Display
The Nikon Z8 makes use of a four-axis vertically and horizontally tilting 3.2-inch, 2.1M-dot LCD display screen.
While not fairly as versatile as a totally articulating, vari-angle LCD, the Z8’s display screen works very effectively for each portrait or landscape-orientation taking pictures.
You possibly can tilt it upwards to face you in both mode, while nonetheless being centrally positioned which make it simpler to compose with than a display screen that flips out to the aspect.
The Sony Alpha 1 has a barely smaller 3.0-inch LCD display screen with only one.44 million dots of decision, a display screen that has once more featured on many earlier Alpha fashions.
The display screen on the A1 will be tilted up by 107 levels and down by 41 levels.
Reminiscence Playing cards
The Nikon Z8 has one UHS-II SD card slot and one ultra-high pace CFexpress Sort B slot.
Each of the Sony A1’s twin slots can be utilized for both SD UHS-I/II compliant reminiscence playing cards or CFexpress Sort A playing cards, making it a bit of extra versatile.
Battery Life
The Sony A1 makes use of precisely the acquainted NP-FZ100 battery that each one the opposite latest Alpha digital camera use, which gives as much as 430 pictures when utilizing the viewfinder and approx. 530 pictures when utilizing the LCD monitor.
The brand new Z8 makes use of the a lot smaller capability EN-EL15C battery that is additionally utilized by the Z7 II, Z6 II and Z5 cameras, offering a CIPA-rated 300 pictures most achievable from a full cost.
Worth
The value of the brand new Nikon Z8 is stunning, fortunately in a great way – Nikon have aggressively priced it at £3,999 / $3,999 physique solely within the UK/US.
That is considerably cheaper than the Sony Alpha 1, which is at present priced at £5,879 physique solely within the UK and $6,500 within the US.
Conclusion
The brand new Nikon Z8 takes virtually the whole lot that we beloved in regards to the flagship Z9 and squeezes it right into a a lot smaller, lighter and crucially considerably cheaper physique.
Regardless of being 3 years older than the Z8, although, the Sony A1 continues to be a aggressive product that’s effectively price contemplating.
So what do you suppose? Would you select the brand new Nikon Z8 or the Sony Alpha 1, and why? Go away a remark beneath!
