Sony a7 III vs Nikon Z7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 III and Nikon Z7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7 III is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z7 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2018.

Camera Released
Sony a7 III 2018
Nikon Z7 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7 III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7 III 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 a7 III 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 a7 III. 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 a7 III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z7. Sony a7 III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon Z7 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7 III 100-51200
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 a7 III
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 a7 III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7 III 10
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 a7 III 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 4% heavier than Sony a7 III and its 650 gr (or 1.43 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7 III 650 gr
1.43 lb
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a7 III vs Nikon Z7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 III 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 a7 III
Nikon Z7
Name Sony a7 III Nikon Z7
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Release Year 2018 2018
Release Date 2018-02-27 2018-08-23
MSRP 1999 USD 3399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
ISO Range 100 - 51200 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 11 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7 III
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 693 493
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 3690000
Photography features
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Frames per second 10 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
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 a7 III
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 a7 III
Nikon Z7
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Wired Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7 III
Nikon Z7
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 710 shots 330 shots
Width 127 mm 134 mm
Height 96 mm 101 mm
Depth 74 mm 68 mm
Weight 650 gram 675 gram