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Nikon

D6

Nikon flagship sports DSLR with 14fps and the most advanced DSLR autofocus.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Feb 2020

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 1.7 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

D6

Wins

6categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

D6 wins 2 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 3 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 105)
  • AD6 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (3580 shots vs 580 shots)
  • AD6 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)

Key specs at a glance

D6Alpha 7 IV
Resolution20.8 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max102,40051,200
Burst14 fps10 fps
4K30 fps60 fps
IBISNo5.5-stop
Weight1270 g658 g
Battery3580 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

D6

160 × 163 × 92 mm

1270 g (2.80 lb / 44.80 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

D6 is 29mm wider, 67mm taller, and 12mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.

D6 is 612 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 92mm D6 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

D6

160 × 163 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

D6

160 × 92 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

D6

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

D6

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseD6Alpha 7 IV
Portrait
3.5Limited
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
3.0Limited
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
3.0Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
4.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
4.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
2.0Limited
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

D6

  • Codecs

    Adds H.264/AVC

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 160, 163, 92

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    3580 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better

  • AF low-light limit

    -4.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    14 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    10.5 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal, Bird…

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…

  • IBIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 105 — higher is better

  • Eye AF

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • Animal / bird AF

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • Card slotsBoth 2
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

D6

Pros

  • 14fps flagship
  • Pro build
  • Best DSLR AF
  • Dual CFexpress

Cons

  • 20MP
  • DSLR platform
  • Very expensive

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 D6 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

D6
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
20.8 MP
33 MP+59%
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 23.9 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
D6
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
EXPEED 6
BIONZ XR
D6
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
102,400+1 stop
51,200
ISO max (expanded)
3,280,000
204,800
D6
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Mechanical focal-plane
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for vlogging, D6 or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 2.0/10 for D6 — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.

What's the resolution difference between the D6 and Alpha 7 IV?

D6 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 D6 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

D6 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the D6 or the Alpha 7 IV?

D6 reaches 14 fps mechanical. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the D6 and Alpha 7 IV?

D6 weighs 1270 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 612 g lighter.

Do the D6 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

D6: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the D6 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

D6: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 3,580 shots (CIPA) for the D6 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the D6 the edge.

How much does each cost?

D6 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 D6 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.