Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Sony
PXW-Z90
Palm-sized XDCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, Fast Hybrid AF, 3G-SDI, dual XLR, and XAVC 4K up to 30p.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Dec 2017
Alpha 7 IV is 3.9 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7 IV
Wins
PXW-Z90
8 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 14.2 MP)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Alpha 7 IV is 3mm narrower than PXW-Z90 but it is also 5mm taller and 8mm thicker.
Alpha 7 IV is 78 g heavier than PXW-Z90.
Depth (front-to-back): 80mm Alpha 7 IV · 72mm PXW-Z90
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PXW-Z90
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
PXW-Z90
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
PXW-Z90: mount data unavailable
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
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Resolution
33 MP vs 14.2 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Reasons to choose
PXW-Z90
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only PXW-Z90 supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Weight
580 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
PXW-Z90
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS (14.2MP)
- ✓273-point Fast Hybrid AF
- ✓Built-in ND (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- ✓3G-SDI + dual XLR handle
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone
Cons
- –4K limited to 30p
- –Small palm body ergonomics
- –XAVC 100Mbps max in 4K
- –Superseded by newer NX800/Z200 line
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Sony PXW-Z90
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Alpha 7 IV or PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for PXW-Z90 — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and PXW-Z90 is 14.2 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while PXW-Z90 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 IV or the PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic. PXW-Z90 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and PXW-Z90 weighs 580 g, so the PXW-Z90 is 78 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90 record 4K video?
Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. PXW-Z90: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 7 IV and PXW-Z90 weather sealed?
Alpha 7 IV: Yes. PXW-Z90: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 640 shots for the PXW-Z90, giving the PXW-Z90 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7 IV launched at $2,499 and PXW-Z90 at $2,799. The Alpha 7 IV is $300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 IV vs PXW-Z90 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.