Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D810A

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z7 and Nikon D810A. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z7 were released 2018 and Nikon D810A was released 2015. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z7 2018
Nikon D810A 2015

Type of camera

Nikon Z7 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D810A is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D810A 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon Z7 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D810A has 36 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D810A 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon Z7 has a 26 % larger resolution than Nikon D810A. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z7 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D810A. Nikon Z7 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D810A has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z7 64-25600
Nikon D810A 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z7
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D810A

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810A can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z7 9
Nikon D810A 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon Z7 and Nikon D810A can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D810A weighs 880 gr (equal to 1.94 lb) which is 30% heavier than Nikon Z7 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb
Nikon D810A 880 gr
1.94 lb

Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D810A Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z7 and Nikon D810A, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Name Nikon Z7 Nikon D810A
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Release Year 2018 2015
Release Date 2018-08-23 2015-02-10
MSRP 3399 USD 3799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 36 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
ISO Range 64 - 25600 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 51
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2100000 1229000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT-LCD (RGBW)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Frames per second 9 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Memory Card XQD Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z7
Nikon D810A
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 1200 shots
Width 134 mm 146 mm
Height 101 mm 123 mm
Depth 68 mm 82 mm
Weight 675 gram 880 gram