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Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched July 2020
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and HX7V (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and HX7V (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The Z5 was unveiled 9 years later than the HX7V and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the Z5 matches up versus the HX7V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony HX7V

 Z5 HX7V 
IntroducedJuly 2020July 2011Fresher by 110 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kSharper display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Nikon Z5

 HX7V Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony HX7V

 Z5 HX7V 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z5 comes with physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the Z5 versus the HX7V.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and HX7V is 62 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The visual here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and HX7V.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z5 will show more detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer Z5 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
85
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
30
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Sony HX7V Street photography info
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (675 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Sony HX7V Sports photography advice
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery (470 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.5 frames per second)
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Sony HX7V
68
great battery (470 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
MP count good (24 megapixels)
heavier than competitors in class (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Landscape photography camera
86
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
great battery (470 per charge)
2 card slots
42
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Sony HX7V
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (675 grams)
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony HX7V
 Nikon Z5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2020-07-20 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 273 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Amount of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.80 m
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lb) 208 grams (0.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15c NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Launch pricing $1,399 $499