Nikon Z9 Vs Canon EOS R3 Vs Sony Alpha 1

There’s plenty of hype around the Nikon Z9, with those eager to read our Nikon Z9 hands-on review, and there are also plenty of people who have already placed their pre-orders! It’s clear that Nikon are onto a winner with the Nikon Z9, but where does it stand in comparison to the competition, notably the high-speed Canon EOS R3 and Sony Alpha 1.

All three are top of the range mirrorless cameras from Canon, Sony and Nikon, and command premium prices. But what are the main differences, and how do they compare to each other. Find out here in our Nikon Z9 vs Canon EOS R3 vs Sony Alpha 1 comparison!

Price – How much!?

Canon EOS R3: £5879 body only
Nikon Z9: £5299 body only
Sony Alpha 1: £6499 body only

These are the RRP prices, and it’s quite clear that although all three cameras can easily be considered expensive, there’s also a big difference in price, with the Nikon Z9 (the lowest price here) being £1200 cheaper than the Sony Alpha 1.

As a comparison, the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III is £6999, and the Nikon D6 is £6299, making the R3 and Z9 appear to be good value for money in comparison. Sony don’t have a DSLR “alternative”, but the other high-speed model from Sony, the A9 II is priced at £4199, making the Sony Alpha 1 appear expensive in this line-up.

The Alpha 1 is built around a new 50MP full-frame sensor

Image Sensor

Canon EOS R3: 24.1MP FF stacked BSI CMOS sensor
Nikon Z9: 45.7MP FF stacked BSI CMOS sensor
Sony Alpha 1: 50.1MP FF stacked BSI CMOS sensor

A stacked sensor gives a quicker readout speed allowing for high-speed continuous shooting, as well as high-speed video recording. BSI = back-side illuminated, and gives better low-light performance compared to standard CMOS sensors.

The Sony Alpha 1 has a clever feature to get even higher resolution images, and uses the sensor-shift system to create high-resolution images using multiple shots, this means you can put together high-resolution images on your computer later, giving you 200MP images. The Sony Alpha 1 was also the first camera released.

Continuous Shooting Speed

Canon EOS R3: 30fps (electronic) with AF/AE tracking, 150 frame buffer, or 1000 when shooting 12fps mechanical shutter
Nikon Z9: 30fps (electronic), JPEG only, 20fps with RAW (1000 frame buffer), 120fps (at 11MP)
Sony Alpha 1: 30fps at 50MP, 30fps (electronic) with AF/AE tracking, 10fps mechanical shutter, up to 238/400 raw/JPEG shots (JPEG Fine L)

All three cameras offer up to 30fps continuous shooting, with the only limitations being found in how many shots you can shoot, and on the Nikon Z9, you can only shoot at 30fps when shooting JPEG only. If you switch to raw then the speed drops to 20fps. However, the 1000 frame buffer on the Nikon Z9 is impressive letting you shoot more than the other cameras.

This shutter shield protects the sensor when the camera is switched off, and despite appearances, it’s not a mechanical shutter on the Z9.

Shutter speeds available:

Canon EOS R3: 30 – 1/8,000s (mechanical), 1/64,000s (electronic)
Nikon Z9: 30 – 1/32,000s (electronic)
Sony Alpha 1: 30s – 1/8,000s (mechanical), 1/32,000s (electronic)

The Nikon Z9 shutter is entirely electronic, with a “shutter shield” to protect the sensor when the camera is off or a lens is not present. The EOS R3 and Alpha 1 both give you the choice of a mechanical or electronic shutter, with shutter speeds above 1/8,000s using the electronic shutter. The Canon EOS R3 has the fastest shutter speed available, at 1/64,000s.

Image stabilisation

Canon EOS R3: 5-axis sensor-shift, up to 8 stops, with optically stabilised lens
Nikon Z9: 5-axis sensor-shift, up to 6 stops
Sony Alpha 1: 5-axis sensor-shift, 5.5 stops

All three cameras use In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) which moves the sensor to counter any camera shake, and all three cameras will give better image stabilisation when used with an optically stabilised lens as the in-camera and lens stabilisation systems work together.

Canon give image stabilisation performance of the camera and image-stabilisation lens, whilst Sony and Nikon give the figure when using a non-stabilised lens, so it’s difficult to directly compare the performance of the cameras.

ISO range available

Canon EOS R3: ISO 50-204800 (extended)
Nikon Z9: ISO 32-102,400 (extended)
Sony Alpha 1: ISO 50-102,400 (extended)

The highest ISO speed available is from the Canon EOS R3, and whilst it’s unlikely that you’re going to want to use the highest ISO speeds on these cameras, it does give you an idea of the usable ISO range. From this, it’s likely that you’ll be able to use a 1-stop higher ISO speed with the Canon EOS R3 when compared to the others, however, we’ll have to wait till we’ve reviewed the camera to confirm this.

The lowest ISO speed available is found on the Z9, and whilst we wouldn’t expect there to be a massive amount of difference between ISO50 and ISO32 on these cameras, the slightly lower ISO speed will allow for slightly improved flexibility.

The Nikon Z9 will feel familiar to Nikon users

Auto Focus

Canon EOS R3: 4779 AF points – phase detection, animals (including birds) and human face/eye detection, vehicles including cars and motorbikes – you select the subject, choosing between human, animals, vehicles, Eye-control AF
Nikon Z9: 493 AF points, AI detection for humans, dogs, cats, birds and vehicles, AI automatically detects the subject, without having to pre-select before shooting
Sony Alpha 1: 759 PDAF points, animal, bird, and human face/eye detection, you select the subject pre shooting, choosing between animals, birds, and humans

If you need to shoot vehicles, then you’re out of luck with the Sony Alpha 1. Whilst you can still shoot vehicles with AF-tracking, it doesn’t have a specific AF mode dedicated to it like the other cameras.

Another camera to support multiple subjects, is the 20MP Olympus OM-D E-M1X, which supports detection for vehicles (including trains, planes and automobiles), and birds. It also supports face and eye detection AF.

The Z9 looks to offer the most advanced auto-detection of objects, however the Canon’s Eye-control AF is particularly impressive.

Video recording

Canon EOS R3: 6K up to 60fps, 4K DCI/UHD up to 120fps (17:9/16:9)
Nikon Z9: 8K 30fps, 4K UHD upto 120fps (16:9)
Sony Alpha 1: 8K 30fps, 4K UHD upto 120fps (16:9)

Nikon say the Z9 will continue recording for up to 2 hours without overheating. It’s worth noting that the Nikon Z9 does not support DCI/CINE aspect ratios, instead offering 16:9 aspect ratios for 8K and 4K. Perhaps a future firmware update will add this support, as they have said they will be adding raw video support in the future.

The Sony Alpha 1 also doesn’t offer CINE/DCI-4K as an option, instead offering 4K UHD. 8K video is also offered at 16:9 aspect ratio. Sony say the camera is designed to record continuously for more than 30 minutes.

The Canon EOS R3 does not offer 8K as the sensor simply does not have the resolution to support it, and for better video specifications from a Canon, you’d be better off looking at the Canon EOS R5, which has 8K video recording. The EOS R3 does offer DCI 17:9 aspect ratio video at 6K/4K resolutions, as well as 6K raw 12bit.

The EOS R3 is built around a new 24MP full-frame stacked-CMOS sensor

Handling and controls

Canon EOS R3: 2 front buttons (function / DOF preview) repeated for vertical use, top LCD
Nikon Z9: 3 front function buttons, top LCD
Sony Alpha 1: No front function buttons, no top LCD

You’ll find a top LCD panel on the EOS R3 and Nikon Z9, but not on the Alpha 1. The Sony Alpha 1 has the smallest body, and as you can see when looking at it, it also has the least function buttons, with the larger two cameras featuring front function buttons. For those that like the professional style body with integrated vertical grip, the Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z9 are the ones to choose.

The R3 viewfinder is superb, while the fully articulated screen facilitates shooting at awkward angles

Rear Screen

Canon EOS R3: 3.2inch, 4.15m dot fully articulated touchscreen
Nikon Z9: 3.2inch, 2.1m dot 3-way tilting touchscreen
Sony Alpha 1: 3inch, 1.44m dot 2-way tilting touchscreen

On a £6500 camera, the Sony Alpha 1 has by bar the most lacklustre screen, and you would expect a larger, higher-resolution screen, especially considering the price. The Canon EOS R3 has the most impressive screen here with the highest resolution, and it’s also fully articulated so you can tilt it forwards if you want. The Nikon Z9 has a 3-way tilting touchscreen.

Electronic Viewfinder

Canon EOS R3: 5.76M dot, 0.76x magnification, upto 120fps refresh
Nikon Z9: 3.69M dot, 0.8x magnification
Sony Alpha 1: 9.44m dot, 0.9x magnification electronic viewfinder

Sony has decided to make up for the smaller screen, by including an extremely high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF), with an incredible 9.44m dot resolution, as well as the highest magnification at 0.9x. The Canon EOS R3 EVF has a high resolution with 5.76m dots, and 0.76x magnification. The Nikon Z9 EVF has a resolution of 3.69M dots, which is the lowest resolution here, but should still provide a good view of the scene, with a 0.8x magnification.

Storage and memory cards

Canon EOS R3: Dual: 1x CFexpress type B, 1x UHS-II SD
Nikon Z9: Dual: 2x CFexpress type B slots or XQD cards
Sony Alpha 1: 2x UHS-II SD / CFexpress A slots

All cameras support CFexpress either type B or type A on the Sony, with the Canon and Sony cameras also supporting SD cards, which will be welcome for those that don’t like the high prices of CFexpress cards. However, if you are buying one of these cameras, then lookout for offers, as sometimes you can get a free memory card thrown in with the purchase.

The R3 connections, including Gigabit ethernet, are found under these covers on the side

Connections (inc Wi-Fi / Bluetooth)

Canon EOS R3: 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet, FTP, Microphone, Headphone, HDMI, USB C
Nikon Z9: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet, FTP, Microphone, Headphone, HDMI, USB C
Sony Alpha 1: 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Gigabit Ethernet, FTP, Microphone, Headphone, HDMI, USB C 3.2 Gen 2 (10GB)

All three cameras offer multiple connection options with high-speed Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) connections letting you quickly transfer images when needed. There’s also FTP support, which is essential for sports and news reporters needing to get images to news agencies as quickly as possible.

Battery life

Canon EOS R3: 860 shots (LCD), 620 shots (EVF)
Nikon Z9: 770 shots (LCD, energy saver mode), 740 shots (EVF), 170min video
Sony Alpha 1: 430 (EVF), 530 (LCD)

If you plan on shooting with the LCD screen, then the Canon EOS R3 offers the longest battery life, but if you shoot with the EVF, then the Nikon offers the longest battery life.

The Sony Alpha 1 offers the shortest battery life, but if you add the optional battery grip, the VG-C4EM, then this will improve matters. With room for two batteries, it effectively doubles the battery life, so you should be able to get roughly 860/1060 shots (EVF/LCD).

Size

Canon EOS R3: 150 x 142.6 x 87.2mm
Nikon Z9: 149 x 149.5 x 90.5mm
Sony Alpha 1: 128.9 x 96.9 x 80.8mm

As a camera without an integrated vertical battery grip, the Sony Alpha 1 is clearly the smallest model here, and for those who want a smaller camera, then the Alpha 1 is definitely it.

Both the Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z9 follow the “traditional” professional DSLR style design with integrated vertical grip, allowing for a larger battery to be included. The Nikon Z9 is the largest in size, but there’s not a huge difference between the Z9 and R3 in terms of the overall size.

Sony’s Alpha A1 is the most compact of the three cameras

Weight

Canon EOS R3: 1015g with battery and memory card
Nikon Z9: 1340g with battery and memory card
Sony Alpha 1: 737g with battery and memory card

As well as being the smallest, the A1 is also the lightest camera here, as expected. The weight difference is particularly noticeable when you look at the weight of the Nikon Z9, the heaviest of the three cameras. The Canon EOS R3 is just slightly over 1kg.

Technical specifications are only one part of the story, and it’s worth looking at what’s most important to you and what you value the most when choosing a camera.

Using the camera, how it feels in the hand, image quality, and the lenses available are also massively important factors when choosing a camera, so be sure to have a look at our features on these full-frame monsters: