Sony a7S III vs Nikon Z f
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S III and Nikon Z f. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7S III is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z f is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a7S III were released 2020 and Nikon Z f was released 2023. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7S III | 2020 |
Nikon Z f | 2023 |
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 a7S III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon Z f | 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 III has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z f has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7S III |
12 MP
12007680 pixels 4240 x 2832 |
Nikon Z f |
25 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Nikon Z f has a 103 % larger resolution than Sony a7S III. 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 Z f has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7S III. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Sony a7S III has 80 to 102400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7S III | 80-102400 |
Nikon Z f | 50-204800 |
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 a7S III
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z f
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7S III | 10 |
Nikon Z f | 14 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7S III and Nikon Z f 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 Z f weighs 710 gr (equal to 1.57 lb) which is 2% heavier than Sony a7S III and its 699 gr (or 1.54 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7S III | 699 gr 1.54 lb |
Nikon Z f | 710 gr 1.57 lb |
Sony a7S III vs Nikon Z f Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S III and Nikon Z f, 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 III |
Nikon Z f |
Name | Sony a7S III | Nikon Z f |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Release Year | 2020 | 2023 |
Release Date | 2020-07-28 | 2023-09-20 |
MSRP | 3499 USD | 1999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
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 | BSI-CMOS |
Resolution | 4240 x 2832 pixels | 6048 x 4032 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 25 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz XR | |
Image |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
ISO Range | 80 - 102400 | 50 - 204800 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 8 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 8 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
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 a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 2100000 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.91x | 0.8× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 9440000 | 3690000 |
Photography features |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 14 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 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 Partial Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 H.265 XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
H.264 H.265 |
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 a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac) |
Remote Control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) | No |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7S III |
Nikon Z f |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
|
EN-EL15c
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 600 shots | 380 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 144 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 103 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 49 mm |
Weight | 699 gram | 710 gram |