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!
Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Sony a7 IV | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2021 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 32.7 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 7008×4672 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.12µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 10 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 10 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Compressed raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed and lossless compressed raw at 6 FPS) | None |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | Unlimited | 1000+ images |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 759 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | Yes | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | No limit | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type A, or SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| 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 1 |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 520 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 580 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Prices | Sony a7 IV Used Prices | Nikon 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.
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).
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.
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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