Sony A99 vs Nikon Z7

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 vs Nikon Z7

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A99.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z7 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z7.
Compare Nikon Z7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A99 II
Compare A99 vs A99 II

Succeeded by the Nikon Z7 II
Compare Z7 vs Z7 II

Compare SONY A99 II vs NIKON Z7 II

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Nikon Z7

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

500 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z7 advantages over Sony A99

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Z7 test data on DxO Mark A99 test data on DxO Mark

2,668 vs 1,555 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
6 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1229k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
26 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
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

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z7 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A99

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens and FTZ adapter

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A99 Review

Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.
Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.
Read our Nikon Z7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99

Nikon D800

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800

Nikon Z7

Nikon D800

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Z7

Canon 5D Mark III

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99

Nikon D800E

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800E

Nikon Z7

Nikon D800E

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A99

Nikon Z6

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$1797
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon Z6

Nikon Z7

Nikon Z6

$2147
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Canon EOS R

Sony A99

Canon EOS R

$1998
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$1583
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$1583
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Canon EOS R

Compare Other Cameras?