Sony a7R vs Nikon D7100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7R is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2013.

Camera Released
Sony a7R 2013
Nikon D7100 2013

Type of camera

Sony a7R is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D7100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7R has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D7100 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 a7R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D7100 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 a7R has a 36 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7R 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D7100 24,1 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Sony a7R has a 51 % larger resolution than Nikon D7100. 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 a7R has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Sony a7R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7R 100-25600
Nikon D7100 100-6400

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 a7R
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7R 4
Nikon D7100 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7R and Nikon D7100 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 D7100 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 45% heavier than Sony a7R and its 465 gr (or 1.03 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7R 465 gr
1.03 lb
Nikon D7100 675 gr
1.49 lb

Sony a7R vs Nikon D7100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R and Nikon D7100, 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 a7R
Nikon D7100
Name Sony a7R Nikon D7100
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Release Year 2013 2013
Release Date 2013-10-16 2013-02-21
MSRP 2299 USD 1199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 36 MP 24,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 51
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 a7R
Nikon D7100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1230000 1228800
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.94×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Frames per second 4 fps 6 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 No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
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
Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7R
Nikon D7100
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 950 shots
Width 127 mm 136 mm
Height 94 mm 107 mm
Depth 48 mm 76 mm
Weight 465 gram 675 gram