Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z5
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 IV and Nikon Z5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7 IV is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a7 IV were released 2021 and Nikon Z5 was released 2020. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 IV | 2021 |
Nikon Z5 | 2020 |
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 IV | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon Z5 | 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 IV has a 33 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z5 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 Z5 |
24 MP
24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016 |
Sony a7 IV has a 36 % larger resolution than Nikon Z5. 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
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 IV | 100-51200 |
Nikon Z5 | 100-51200 |
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 IV
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z5
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 Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 IV | 10 |
Nikon Z5 | 4,5 |
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 Z5 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 Z5 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 2% heavier than Sony a7 IV and its 659 gr (or 1.45 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 IV | 659 gr 1.45 lb |
Nikon Z5 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony a7 IV vs Nikon Z5 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 IV and Nikon Z5, 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 Z5 |
Name | Sony a7 IV | Nikon Z5 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2020 |
Release Date | 2021-10-21 | 2020-07-21 |
MSRP | 2499 USD | 1399 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
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 | 7008 x 4672 pixels | 6016 x 4016 pixels |
Megapixels | 33 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | BIONZ XR | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
Yes (Sensor Shift (5 axis)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
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 | 759 | 273 |
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 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 1036800 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 200% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.8x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | 3689400 |
Photography features |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 4,5 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 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
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 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) | Yes (via smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 IV |
Nikon Z5 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
|
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 580 shots | 470 shots |
Width | 131 mm | 134 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 101 mm |
Depth | 80 mm | 70 mm |
Weight | 659 gram | 675 gram |