Sony a7S II vs Nikon D4s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S II and Nikon D4s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7S II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D4s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7S II were released 2015 and Nikon D4s was released 2014. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7S II 2015
Nikon D4s 2014

Type of camera

Sony a7S II is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D4s 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 a7S II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D4s 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 a7S II has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4s has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7S II 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Nikon D4s 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Nikon D4s has a 35 % larger resolution than Sony a7S II. 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 a7S II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D4s. Sony a7S II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D4s has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S II 100-102400
Nikon D4s 100-25600

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 a7S II
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S II 5
Nikon D4s 11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7S II and Nikon D4s 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 D4s weighs 1350 gr (equal to 2.98 lb) which is 115% heavier than Sony a7S II and its 627 gr (or 1.38 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S II 627 gr
1.38 lb
Nikon D4s 1350 gr
2.98 lb

Sony a7S II vs Nikon D4s Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S II and Nikon D4s, 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 a7S II
Nikon D4s
Name Sony a7S II Nikon D4s
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Release Year 2015 2014
Release Date 2015-09-11 2014-02-25
MSRP 2999 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
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 169 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 a7S II
Nikon D4s
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1228800 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Frames per second 5 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 a7S II
Nikon D4s
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or WT-4A
Remote Control Yes (wired or smartphone) Yes (wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S II
Nikon D4s
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 370 shots 3020 shots
Width 127 mm 160 mm
Height 96 mm 157 mm
Depth 60 mm 91 mm
Weight 627 gram 1350 gram