Nikon
D5600
Popular entry APS-C DSLR with 24MP sensor, articulating touchscreen, and SnapBridge connectivity.
$699
Launch priceReleased Nov 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 4.9 years newer.
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Wins
D5600
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 60 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5600
124 × 97 × 70 mm
465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
D5600 is 7mm narrower and 10mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 1mm taller.
D5600 is 193 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5600 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5600
124 × 97 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.
D5600
124 × 70 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5600
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5600
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
D5600
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 70
Weight
465 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
11 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 60 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
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓EVF magnification — Both 0.78 ×
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5600
Pros
- ✓Articulating touchscreen
- ✓24MP APS-C
- ✓Huge F-mount lens library
- ✓Great value used
Cons
- –DSLR platform
- –No 4K 60p
- –Single card slot
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 D5600 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D5600
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D5600 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 1.5/10 for D5600 — 33MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the D5600 and Alpha 7 IV?
D5600 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5600 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
D5600 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5600 or the Alpha 7 IV?
D5600 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5600 and Alpha 7 IV?
D5600 weighs 465 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the D5600 is 193 g lighter.
Do the D5600 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
D5600: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D5600 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
D5600: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5600 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the D5600 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5600 launched at $699 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The D5600 is $1,800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5600 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.