Nikon
D5
Nikon FX flagship sports DSLR with 20.8MP sensor, 153-point AF, 12fps burst, 4K UHD video, and dual XQD/CF slots — predecessor to D6.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 5.8 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 200 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AD5 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 20.8 MP)
- AD5 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,686,400)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
D5 is 7mm wider, 2mm taller, and 8mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.
D5 is 62 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D5
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D5
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only D5 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Resolution
33 MP vs 20.8 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5
Pros
- ✓153-point Multi-CAM 20K AF
- ✓12fps (14fps mirror-up)
- ✓4K UHD + 1080p60 video
- ✓Pro tank build + sealing
- ✓3,780-shot EN-EL18a battery
Cons
- –20.8MP only
- –Superseded by D6
- –Very heavy (1.4 kg)
- –Premium flagship pricing
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D5 or Alpha 7 IV?
D5 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for Alpha 7 IV — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and Alpha 7 IV?
D5 is 20.8 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the Alpha 7 IV?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and Alpha 7 IV?
D5 weighs 720 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 62 g lighter.
Do the D5 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D5 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
D5: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $4,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.