Sony a7R IIIA vs Nikon D4
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7R IIIA is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a7R IIIA were released 2021 and Nikon D4 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 a7R IIIA | 2021 |
Nikon D4 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Sony a7R IIIA is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D4 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
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 a7R IIIA | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D4 | 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 a7R IIIA has a 42 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7R IIIA |
42 MP
42177408 pixels 7952 x 5304 |
Nikon D4 |
16,2 MP
16163840 pixels 4928 x 3280 |
Sony a7R IIIA has a 161 % larger resolution than Nikon D4. 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
Nikon D4 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7R IIIA. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Sony a7R IIIA has 100 to 32000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7R IIIA | 100-32000 |
Nikon D4 | 100-204800 |
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 IIIA
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R IIIA can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7R IIIA | 10 |
Nikon D4 | 11 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon D4 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 D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 104% heavier than Sony a7R IIIA and its 657 gr (or 1.45 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7R IIIA | 657 gr 1.45 lb |
Nikon D4 | 1340 gr 2.95 lb |
Sony a7R IIIA vs Nikon D4 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R IIIA and Nikon D4, 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 IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Name | Sony a7R IIIA | Nikon D4 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2021-04-07 | 2012-01-06 |
MSRP | 3199 USD | 5999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
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 | 7952 x 5304 pixels | 4928 x 3280 pixels |
Megapixels | 42 MP | 16,2 MP |
Image Processor | BIONZ X | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 204800 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous LiveView |
Focus Points | 399 | 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 |
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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 2360000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT color LCD with brightness control |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 11 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 Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
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 a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth) |
Yes Optional via WT-5, WT-5A |
Remote Control | Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) | Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal) |
GPS | No |
Yes GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector) |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7R IIIA |
Nikon D4 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots | N/A |
Width | 127 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 157 mm |
Depth | 74 mm | 91 mm |
Weight | 657 gram | 1340 gram |