Nikon
Z fc
Retro APS-C Z camera with dial controls and compact style.
$999
Released Jun 2021
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 4 months newer.
Wins
Z fc
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 209)
- 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 300 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z fc
135 × 94 × 44 mm
390 g (0.86 lb / 13.76 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Z fc is 3mm shorter and 36mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 3mm wider.
Z fc is 268 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 44mm Z fc · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Z fc
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z fc
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
Z fc
Subject recognition
Adds People, Dogs, Cats
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.5, 93.5, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
AF low-light limit
-4.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Weight
390 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
1.02 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 209 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z fc
Pros
- ✓Retro design
- ✓Compact
- ✓Good JPEG
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Older sensor
- –Limited grip
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 landscape, Z fc or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z fc — 33MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Z fc and Alpha 7 IV?
Z fc is 20.9 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z fc and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Z fc does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z fc or the Alpha 7 IV?
Z fc reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z fc and Alpha 7 IV?
Z fc weighs 390 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Z fc is 268 g lighter.
Do the Z fc and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Z fc: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z fc and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Z fc: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 300 shots (CIPA) for the Z fc and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z fc launched at $999 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Z fc is $1,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.