Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Released Jun 2024
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Z6 III is 2.7 years newer.
Wins
Z6 III
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 273)
- AZ6 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- AZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,686,400)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Battery life (CIPA) (580 shots vs 380 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Z6 III is 6mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 7mm wider and 5mm taller.
Z6 III is 102 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 74mm Z6 III · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Z6 III
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
Z6 III
Nikon Z
90+
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
The verdict
With no price gap at $2499, the primary trade-off is the Nikon Z6 III's 6K RAW video versus the Sony Alpha 7 IV's 33-megapixel sensor.
Choose the Nikon Z6 III if you are a hybrid shooter requiring advanced video, as it offers 4K at 120fps and 6K RAW recording. Its 8-stop IBIS and 20fps electronic burst rate also provide a clear advantage for action.
Choose the Sony Alpha 7 IV if you prioritize high-detail stills and endurance, utilizing its 33-megapixel sensor and 610-shot CIPA battery life. The 659g body is also lighter and more portable for travel.
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z6 III supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
AF points / zones
759 vs 273 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Battery life (CIPA)
580 shots vs 380 shots — higher is better
Resolution
33 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
Weight
658 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z6 III or Alpha 7 IV?
Z6 III scores 8.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Alpha 7 IV — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z6 III and Alpha 7 IV?
Z6 III is 24.5 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z6 III and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z6 III or the Alpha 7 IV?
Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z6 III and Alpha 7 IV?
Z6 III weighs 760 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 102 g lighter.
Do the Z6 III and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z6 III and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Z6 III: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 380 shots (CIPA) for the Z6 III and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $2,499.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.