Sony a7R IVA vs Nikon D810

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R IVA and Nikon D810. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7R IVA is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D810 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7R IVA were released 2021 and Nikon D810 was released 2014. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7R IVA 2021
Nikon D810 2014

Type of camera

Sony a7R IVA is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D810 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 IVA 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D810 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 IVA has a 61 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D810 has 36 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7R IVA 61 MP
60217344 pixels
9504 x 6336
Nikon D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Sony a7R IVA has a 67 % larger resolution than Nikon D810. 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 IVA has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D810. Sony a7R IVA has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D810 has 64 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7R IVA 100-32000
Nikon D810 64-12800

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 IVA
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D810

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R IVA can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7R IVA 10
Nikon D810 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7R IVA and Nikon D810 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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 47% heavier than Sony a7R IVA and its 665 gr (or 1.47 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7R IVA 665 gr
1.47 lb
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb

Sony a7R IVA vs Nikon D810 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R IVA and Nikon D810, 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 IVA
Nikon D810
Name Sony a7R IVA Nikon D810
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
Release Year 2021 2014
Release Date 2021-04-07 2014-06-26
MSRP 3499 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
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 9504 x 6336 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 61 MP 36 MP
Image Processor BIONZ X EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
ISO Range 100 - 32000 64 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance No Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
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
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 567 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 IVA
Nikon D810
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 2360000 1229000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT-LCD (WRGB)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 N/A
Photography features
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
Frames per second 10 fps 5 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 Yes No
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, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
XAVC-S
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 IVA
Nikon D810
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 + NFC)
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7R IVA
Nikon D810
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 670 shots 1200 shots
Width 129 mm 146 mm
Height 96 mm 123 mm
Depth 78 mm 82 mm
Weight 665 gram 980 gram