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Nikon

Df

Retro-styled full-frame DSLR with 16MP sensor, classic dials, and F-mount compatibility.

$2,749

Launch price

Released Nov 2013

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 8 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

Df

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

10categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Df wins 0 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 5 categories
  • 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 Resolution (33 MP vs 16.2 MP)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)

Key specs at a glance

DfAlpha 7 IV
Resolution16.2 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60051,200
Burst15 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBISNo5.5-stop
Weight710 g658 g
Battery640 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Df

144 × 110 × 67 mm

710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 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)

Df is 13mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 13mm wider and 14mm taller.

Df is 52 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 67mm Df · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

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

Df

144 × 110 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.

Df

144 × 67 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

Df

36 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

860 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Df

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 caseDfAlpha 7 IV
Portrait
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
4.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
5.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Vlogging
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Df

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 144, 110, 67

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Df supports it

  • Burst (electronic)

    15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Vehicle

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    640 shots vs 580 shots — 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

  • Resolution

    33 MP vs 16.2 MP — higher is better

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • Card slotsBoth 2

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Df

Pros

  • Beautiful retro design
  • Classic F-mount lenses
  • 16MP low-light files
  • Compact for FF DSLR

Cons

  • Discontinued
  • 16MP resolution
  • Slow AF by modern standards

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 Df and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Df
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
16.2 MP
33 MP2× more
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 23.9 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Df
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
EXPEED 7
BIONZ XR
Df
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
51,200+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
204,800
Df
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

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

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Df — Fully articulating screen — see yourself while filming.

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

Df is 16.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Df and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

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

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

Df reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

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

Df weighs 710 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 52 g lighter.

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

Df: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Df and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Df: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Df and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Df the edge.

How much does each cost?

Df launched at $2,749 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $250 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Df 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.