When I think of the closest Sony camera to the Nikon Z8, I think of the Sony a1 in terms of speed and resolution. However, if you take price into account, the closest Sony camera to the Z8 is probably the Sony a7R V. Both are high-resolution, advanced full-frame mirrorless cameras around $4000 – so, how do they compare?
Nikon Z8 vs Sony a7R V Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z8 | Sony a7R V |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2023 | October 2022 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | BIONZ XR with AI processing unit |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 61.0 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 9504×6336 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.7 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 3.76µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 32,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 50-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | No |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | No mechanical shutter | 10 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 10 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS; DX JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) | Compressed raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed and lossless compressed raw at 7 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) | 583 frames (10 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 493 | 693 |
| Low-Light AF Sensitivity (f/2 Lens, ISO 100) | -7.5 EV | -4 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/250 |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 12 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 12 bits | 16 bits |
| Raw Video | Yes | Yes, externally |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 25 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.24x crop at 8K and 4K 60p (otherwise no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 90 min | No limit (4K); 30 minutes (8K) |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Dual Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | 0.90x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 9.44 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | No |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | NP-FZ100 |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 330 frames | 440 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 340 frames | 530 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 370 frames | N/A |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 910 g (2.01 lbs.) | 723 g (1.59 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 144 x 119 x 88 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.5″)1 | 131 x 97 x 82 mm (5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2″) |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4000 (Check Current Price) | $3900 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon Z8 Used Prices | Sony a7R V Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z8’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 5mm were added to the Z8’s depth measurements in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
Thinking about these two cameras, at first glance you might say that the Z8 is tuned for action and the Sony a7R V is a general-purpose camera. However, the comparison is much closer than say, between the Nikon Z7II and the Nikon Z8, because the Sony a7R V has an excellent autofocus system that borrows heavily from the Sony a1 (and even improves upon it in some ways).
In terms of image quality, the Nikon Z8 comes out ahead in dynamic range because of the base ISO of 64, while the Sony a7R V leads in detail thanks to the 63 megapixel sensor and pixel-shift shooting mode. As such, the better camera for maximizing image quality in landscape photography is up in the air, but it probably leans in the direction of the a7R V.
In terms of action photography, the Nikon Z8 unquestionably has the speed advantage. Its 20 FPS over 10 FPS will make a difference in some cases, and the same goes for the pre-release burst mode (even though it’s JPEG-only). If you’re primarily a bird-in-flight shooter, I believe the Z8 makes more sense between the two cameras.
As for video, the Z8 has higher frame rates in 8K and 4K video modes, as well as internal raw video. That said, the Sony can shoot 16-bit raw video externally, which could make a difference in some specialized applications. The a7R V also has no video recording limit when shooting 4K. Thus, even though the Z8 has better videography features overall, the better one for your needs may vary.
So, what do I recommend? The Nikon Z8 probably squeaks ahead in this comparison, but it’s close, and it really depends on what you shoot. My general recommendation is to stick with the brand you’re familiar with rather than spending a lot of money to switch. And if you’re not tied to any brand yet (maybe you’re picking one of these cameras for the first time), the Nikon Z8 and Sony a7R V are close enough that I’d base my decision upon lenses rather than the camera itself. I think you can’t go wrong with either camera.
Z8 screen tilts up in vertical position a7rv doesnt. The one LCD motion i really needed the Sony to do and it cant.
While the a7rv screen does not fold up, it does fold out to the side and rotate to face forward.
What about AI AF and image stabilization? both are very strong proven by Sony, can Nikon compare to it?
An other big difference is that the Sony has a low readout sensor of about 1/15s and the Nikon has a fast one of about 1/270s ( as the sony A1 has) and can therefore be without a mechanical shutter.
Among others this means less (no) distortion on the Nikon side in silent mode with moving objects and in video less rolling shutter.
Very good point! I forgot about that one.
and … you can put Sony E-lenses on nikon’s Z-camera’s but not the other way around.
I have noticed a different approach towards lens design by Sony and Nikon… Nikon seems to more look at the actual image rendering, rather than just being technically better and smaller. Typical is the Sony 50mm f/1.2 lens that is in specs the better lens, but in rendering style I prefer the Nikon. ( have used them both) Also the smaller lenses of Sony have huge vignetting because of their smaller size. So this F/1.2 is only in the center of the lens the corners are more f/2.8.
It’s notable that the Sony view finder has nearly there times the resolution of the Nikon. Also, relevant for hand held zealots, like me, the Z8 is 25% heavier.
As a quick correction, the a7R V does support focus stacking, and it does it quite well :)
I think he refers to in camera focus stacking. By what I read z8 has in camera composting vs need to transfer files to PC and use software to composite in case of Sony a7r5
Interesting – I didn’t catch that they have it in-camera on the Z8.
Even the z6ii/z7ii have focus stacking in body
Neither the Z6 II, Z7 II nor Sony a7R V stack images in camera. Search the Nikon Z6/Z7 II manual for “focus stack” and you will get no hits. Nikon calls it “focus shift shooting” for a reason… no stacking is performed. To quote the manual: “Focus shift automatically varies focus over a series of shots. Use it to take photos that will later be combined using focus stacking to create a single image with increased depth of field.” The word “later” is not an error!
Similarly, Sony a7r5 does not generate a final file after the shooting is completed, but simply takes a series of pictures. My budget Z5 released in 2020 is also able to do this))
For me focus stacking outside the camera is fine, even preferable. Automatic focus stacking is imperfect and requires manual correction. External apps provide this function.