Sony a7 IV vs Nikon D5200
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 IV and Nikon D5200. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7 IV is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5200 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a7 IV were released 2021 and Nikon D5200 was released 2012. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 IV | 2021 |
Nikon D5200 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Sony a7 IV is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5200 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7 IV has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D5200 has a "Nikon DX"-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 a7 IV | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D5200 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 IV has a 33 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5200 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7 IV |
33 MP
32741376 pixels 7008 x 4672 |
Nikon D5200 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a7 IV has a 36 % larger resolution than Nikon D5200. 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 IV has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5200. Sony a7 IV has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D5200 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 IV | 100-51200 |
Nikon D5200 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a7 IV has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7 IV
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5200
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7 IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5200 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 IV | 10 |
Nikon D5200 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7 IV and Nikon D5200 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.
Sony a7 IV weighs 659 gr (equal to 1.45 lb) which is 19% heavier than Nikon D5200 and its 555 gr (or 1.22 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 IV | 659 gr 1.45 lb |
Nikon D5200 | 555 gr 1.22 lb |
Sony a7 IV vs Nikon D5200 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 IV and Nikon D5200, 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 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Name | Sony a7 IV | Nikon D5200 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2021-10-21 | 2012-11-06 |
MSRP | 2499 USD | 799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 7008 x 4672 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 33 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | BIONZ XR | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
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 Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 759 | 39 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
DX / APS-C (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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1036800 | 921 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center 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 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 H.265 XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
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 | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Yes Optional |
Remote Control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or WR-R10)
|
GPS | No |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon D5200 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 580 shots | 500 shots |
Width | 131 mm | 129 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 98 mm |
Depth | 80 mm | 78 mm |
Weight | 659 gram | 555 gram |