Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
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 7.3 years newer.
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Wins
D810
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 51)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 42 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 12,800)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
D810 is 15mm wider, 27mm taller, and 2mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.
D810 is 322 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 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.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
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
D810
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 123, 81.5
Card types
Adds SD, CompactFlash
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only D810 supports it
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -2 EV — lower 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 51 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 42 Mbps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
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 D810 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D810
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D810 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for D810 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and Alpha 7 IV?
D810 is 36.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the D810 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D810 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
D810 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the Alpha 7 IV?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and Alpha 7 IV?
D810 weighs 980 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 322 g lighter.
Do the D810 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D810 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
D810: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the D810 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D810 launched at $3,299 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 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.