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