Nikon
Z7
Original high-res Z body with 45MP for detail work.
$3,399
Launch priceReleased Aug 2018
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 3.2 years newer.
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Wins
Z7
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Battery life (CIPA) (580 shots vs 330 shots)
- AZ7 has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 100)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareZ7
134 × 101 × 68 mm
585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Z7 is 12mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 3mm wider and 4mm taller.
Z7 is 73 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 68mm Z7 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z7
134 × 101 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.
Z7
134 × 68 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z7
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
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
Subject recognition
Adds People
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 100.5, 67.5
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
585 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.8 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
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
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z7
Pros
- ✓45MP
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Z mount
Cons
- –Single slot
- –Older AF
- –Superseded
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 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Z7 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for Z7 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the Z7 and Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Z7 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z7 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Z7 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 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 reaches 9 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z7 and Alpha 7 IV?
Z7 weighs 585 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Z7 is 73 g lighter.
Do the Z7 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Z7: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z7 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Z7: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 330 shots (CIPA) for the Z7 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z7 launched at $3,399 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z7 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.