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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80
Nikon Z6 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Key Specs

Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost 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
  • Revealed August 2018
  • Replacement is Nikon Z6 II
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Introduced July 2019
  • Superseded the Sony A7R III
  • Later Model is Sony A7R V
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7R IV, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the Z6 (25MP) and A7R IV (61MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The Z6 was revealed 10 months earlier than the A7R IV and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the Z6 grades versus the A7R IV with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Sony A7R IV

 Z6 A7R IV 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kSharper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Nikon Z6

 A7R IV Z6 
IntroducedJuly 2019August 2018More recent by 10 months

Common features in the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7R IV

 Z6 A7R IV 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z6 has external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A7R IV has specifications of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7R IV in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the Z6 vs the A7R IV.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z6 and A7R IV is 62 and 62 respectively.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 and A7R IV.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony A7R IV to offer you greater detail because of its extra 36MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older Z6 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 Portrait photography advice
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography advice
85
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
88
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 Street photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Street photography highlights
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
features touch focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z6
Sports photography with Sony A7R IV
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (330 shots)
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (61MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (670 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z6
Travel photography with Sony A7R IV
66
environment proof
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count excellent (25MP)
not so great battery power (330 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (670 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
megapixel count fantastic (61 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Landscape photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (330 shots)
88
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (61 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (670 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z6
Vlogging with Sony A7R IV
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
37
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 and Sony A7R IV
 Nikon Z6Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z6 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-08-23 2019-07-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz X
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 surface area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 61MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 9504 x 6336
Max native ISO 51200 32000
Max enhanced ISO 204800 102800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 273 567
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 5,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/250s
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675g (1.49 pounds) 665g (1.47 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 99
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 14.8
DXO Low light rating 3299 3344
Other
Battery life 330 photos 670 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One 2
Pricing at release $1,997 $3,498