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Home → Comparison

Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z6 III: What Should You Get?

By Jason Polak No Comments
Last Updated On September 27, 2024

The Sony camera that is closest to the 24MP Nikon Z6 III is arguably the 33MP Sony A7 IV. Both are full frame, both have very similar features, and they cost the same. If you’re looking at getting into the full-frame world, which one should you get? This comparison will answer your questions!

Sonya7IV_vs_NikonZ6III_comparison_front

Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison

Camera FeatureSony a7 IVNikon Z6 III
AnnouncedOctober 2021June 2024
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSPartially Stacked CMOS
Image ProcessorBIONZ XEXPEED 7
Resolution32.7 MP24.5 MP
Pixel Dimensions7008×46726048×4024
Sensor Dimensions35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame)35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size5.12µ5.94µ
Low Pass FilterNoYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)YesYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 51,200ISO 64,000
Extended ISOsISO 50-204,800ISO 50-204,800
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoYes
Focus Stack BracketingNoYes
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoYes (JPEG only)
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/16000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds900 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)10 FPS14 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)10 FPS20 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingCompressed raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed and lossless compressed raw at 6 FPS)None
Buffer Size (Raw)Unlimited1000+ images
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition
Autofocus Points759273
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4 EV-8.5 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2501/200
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownYesNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)10 bits12 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)10 bits12 bits
Raw VideoNoYes
6K Maximum FramerateN/A60 FPS
4K Maximum Framerate60 FPS120 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate120 FPS240 FPS
Additional Video Crop Factor1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop)No
Chroma Subsampling4:2:24:2:2
Video Recording LimitNo limit125 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots22
Slot 1 TypeCFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II)CFExpress Type B
Slot 2 TypeSD (UHS-II)SD (UHS-II)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.2 in
Rear LCD Resolution1.04 million dots2.1 million dots
Articulating LCDFully ArticulatingFully Articulating
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.78x0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution3.69 million dots5.76 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoYes
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 3.2 Gen 2Type C 3.2 Gen 1
Battery TypeNP-FZ100EN-EL15c
Battery Life (Viewfinder)520 frames360 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)580 frames390 frames
Battery Life (Eco Mode)N/A410 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)658 g (1.45 lbs.)760 g (1.68 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)131 x 96 x 80 mm (5.2 x 3.8 x 3.1″)139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)1
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$2500 (Check Current Price)$2500 (Check Current Price)
Used PricesSony a7 IV Used PricesNikon Z6 III Used Prices
1The Nikon Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement in this table.

Summary and Recommendations

The decision between these two cameras for first time buyers can’t be easy. They are the same price, but with slightly different features and very different lens ecosystems.

Sonya7IV_vs_NikonZ6III_comparison_back

Let’s start with the newer Nikon Z6 III. Unlike past Nikon Z6-series cameras, the Z6 III is very capable with autofocus thanks to its subject-recognition capabilities and partially-stacked sensor. It shares many features with the flagship Z9, and it’s amazing at low-light autofocus. It also has outstanding video features, capable of shooting not just 6K video, but 6K 60p RAW (and 4K 120p).

Z6III_00_AD_6203_Z600_f6_3_VR_S
Z6 III (Official Sample Photo)

The Sony a7 IV is quite similar to the Z6 III in some ways. It does have a higher resolution of 33MP, but that’s only about a 1.2x increase in linear resolution. In simpler terms, most people probably won’t choose based on resolution. The autofocus of the Sony A7 series has gotten quite good, also capable of very impressive subject recognition. It doesn’t have Raw video but it does have 10-bit recording, which is probably good enough for most uses. However, it can’t shoot 6K video or 4K/120p, so the Z6 III has the advantage even if you don’t need Raw video.

Sony A7 IV
The Sony a7 IV

It’s possible that some of the specs in this list will stand out to you more than others – for example, the 20 FPS bursts of the Nikon Z6 III, or the longer battery life of the Sony a7 IV. However, if you’re still on the fence after going down the lists, I think it’s better to choose based upon lens ecosystems. Sony has great third-party options and more total lenses, whereas Nikon has some unique telephoto lenses such as their compact supertelephotos. Both are great cameras, and you can’t go wrong with either.

What does the Sony a7 IV offer over the Nikon Z6 III?

  • 1.33 times more megapixels (32.7MP vs 24.5MP)
  • Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 160 more shots according to CIPA measurements
  • Lighter weight (102g lighter)

What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Sony a7 IV?

  • Partially-stacked sensor
  • Internal Raw video
  • Higher resolution rear display, with about 2.0x more dots, making image review in the field easier
  • Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable

Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!


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Tagged With: Camera Comparison, Nikon Z6 III, Sony A7 IV

About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

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