Nikon
Z7 II
45MP resolution body for landscapes and studio work.
$2,999
Released Oct 2020
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 1 year newer.
Wins
Z7 II
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
4 categories tied
Check current prices
Compare today's discounts, bundled lenses, and refurbished offers at the major authorized retailers for both cameras:
As an affiliate, Cameraegg may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- AZ7 II has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 100)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 493)
- AZ7 II has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 33 MP)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Battery life (CIPA) (580 shots vs 420 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z7 II
134 × 101 × 70 mm
615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Z7 II is 10mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 3mm wider and 4mm taller.
Z7 II is 43 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm Z7 II · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Z7 II
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
Z7 II
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z7 II
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 100.5, 69.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better
Weight
615 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.8 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
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
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 10 fps
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 10 fps
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z7 II
Pros
- ✓45MP detail
- ✓Dual slots
- ✓IBIS
Cons
- –Slower AF than Z8
- –4K 30p limitations
- –Superseded by Z8
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 Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z7 II
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Z7 II or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for Z7 II — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 II is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Z7 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Z7 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z7 II or the Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 II reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 II weighs 615 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Z7 II is 43 g lighter.
Do the Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Z7 II: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z7 II and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Z7 II: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 420 shots (CIPA) for the Z7 II and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z7 II launched at $2,999 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.