Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Sony
Alpha 7R V
61MP resolution champion with AI-based AF and 8-stop IBIS for landscape and studio work.
$3,899
Released Oct 2022
Z8 is 6 months newer.
Wins
Z8
Wins
Alpha 7R V
1 categories tied
Check current prices
Search these camera bodies at major authorized retailers to check current discounts, bundled lenses, and certified refurbished deals:
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7R V has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 68 frames)
- AZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
- BAlpha 7R V has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- AZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Alpha 7R V
131 × 97 × 82 mm
723 g (1.59 lb / 25.50 oz)
Z8 is 13mm wider, 22mm taller, and 1mm thicker than Alpha 7R V.
Z8 is 97 g heavier than Alpha 7R V.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Z8 · 82mm Alpha 7R V
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Alpha 7R V
131 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Alpha 7R V
131 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7R V
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z8
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R V
✓ 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
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 68 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z8 supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R V
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.9, 82.4
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 7R V supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Battery life (CIPA)
530 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓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
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Alpha 7R V
Pros
- ✓61MP — exceptional detail and crop flexibility
- ✓AI-based subject recognition (AI Processing Unit)
- ✓8-stop IBIS compensation
- ✓9.44M dot EVF — highest on market
Cons
- –10fps burst limits sports/action use
- –Large RAW files (61MB+ each)
- –No internal RAW video
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z8 or Alpha 7R V?
Z8 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for Alpha 7R V — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z8 and Alpha 7R V?
Z8 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7R V is 61 MP, so the Alpha 7R V captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z8 and Alpha 7R V have in-body image stabilization?
Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7R V has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z8 or the Alpha 7R V?
Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic. Alpha 7R V reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z8 and Alpha 7R V?
Z8 weighs 820 g and Alpha 7R V weighs 723 g, so the Alpha 7R V is 97 g lighter.
Do the Z8 and Alpha 7R V record 4K video?
Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 7R V: 8K (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z8 and Alpha 7R V weather sealed?
Z8: Yes. Alpha 7R V: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 340 shots (CIPA) for the Z8 and 530 shots for the Alpha 7R V, giving the Alpha 7R V the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z8 launched at $3,999 and Alpha 7R V at $3,899. The Alpha 7R V is $100 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.