Sony a6100 vs Nikon Z7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6100 and Nikon Z7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a6100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z7 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a6100 were released 2019 and Nikon Z7 was released 2018. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a6100 2019
Nikon Z7 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z7 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a6100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z7 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a6100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z7 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a6100 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 has a 89 % larger resolution than Sony a6100. 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

Sony a6100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z7. Sony a6100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon Z7 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a6100 100-32000
Nikon Z7 64-25600

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 Sony a6100
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z7

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6100 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a6100 11
Nikon Z7 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a6100 and Nikon Z7 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 Z7 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 70% heavier than Sony a6100 and its 396 gr (or 0.87 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a6100 396 gr
0.87 lb
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a6100 vs Nikon Z7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6100 and Nikon Z7, 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
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Name Sony a6100 Nikon Z7
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Release Year 2019 2018
Release Date 2019-08-28 2018-08-23
MSRP 749 USD 3399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
ISO Range 100 - 32000 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
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
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 493
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 1440000 3690000
Photography features
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Frames per second 11 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center 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 steps)
Videography features
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (wireless or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a6100
Nikon Z7
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 420 shots 330 shots
Width 120 mm 134 mm
Height 67 mm 101 mm
Depth 59 mm 68 mm
Weight 396 gram 675 gram