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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R II front
Portability
68
Imaging
76
Features
84
Overall
79

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced July 2020
Sony A7R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 625g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Old Model is Sony A7R
  • New Model is Sony A7R III
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and A7R II (42MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The Z5 was revealed 5 years after the A7R II which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the Z5 scores vs the A7R II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A7R II

 Z5 A7R II 
ReleasedJuly 2020June 2015More modern by 63 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7R II over the Nikon Z5

 A7R II Z5 
Screen resolution1229k1040kCrisper screen (+189k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A7R II

 Z5 A7R II 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 has got physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A7R II has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 625 grams (1.38 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the Z5 and the A7R II.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and A7R II is 62 and 68 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and A7R II.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A7R II to render more detail because of its extra 18MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger Z5 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7R II as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
85
has manual focus
great sensor resolution (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7R II as a Street photography camera
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675g)
81
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Sony A7R II Sports photography advice
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.5 frames per second)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography details
Sony A7R II Travel photography details
68
good battery pack (470 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
62
environment sealing
great sensor resolution (42MP)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography details
Sony A7R II Landscape photography details
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging advice
Sony A7R II Vlogging advice
34
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
37
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A7R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A7R II
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha A7R II
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha A7R II
Class Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2020-07-20 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4016 7974 x 5316
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 273 399
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.5fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lb) 625 gr (1.38 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 98
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.9
DXO Low light score not tested 3434
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Cost at release $1,399 $2,913