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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80
Nikon Z6 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Key Specs

Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Refreshed by Nikon Z6 II
Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released October 2021
  • Older Model is Sony A7 III
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the Z6 (25MP) and A7 IV (33MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Z6 was manufactured 4 years prior to the A7 IV and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the Z6 grades vs the A7 IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Sony A7 IV

 Z6 A7 IV 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kClearer screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Nikon Z6

 A7 IV Z6 
ReleasedOctober 2021August 2018Fresher by 38 months
Screen typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7 IV

 Z6 A7 IV 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z6 enjoys outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 IV has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the Z6 versus the A7 IV.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z6 and A7 IV is 62 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z6 and A7 IV.

To sum up, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony A7 IV to result in extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older Z6 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
megapixel count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
81
manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (33MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Street photography camera
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 Sports photography features
Sony A7 IV Sports photography features
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
84
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is excellent (33MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery power (600 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z6
Travel photography with Sony A7 IV
66
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count great (25 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
great battery power (600 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is excellent (33 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 IV Landscape photography factors
81
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
84
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is excellent (33MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery power (600 per charge)
has dual storage slots
no liveview feature
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 Vlogging highlights
Sony A7 IV Vlogging highlights
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic jack
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 and Sony A7 IV
 Nikon Z6Sony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z6 Sony Alpha A7 IV
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2018-08-23 2021-10-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 33 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4024 7008 x 4672
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 759
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 172
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,100k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot 3,690k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 699 grams (1.54 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3299 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 600 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage XQD card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $1,997 $2,500