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Nikon Z 5 vs Sony Alpha 7 III

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 5SonyAlpha 7 III
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020March 2018
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6016 × 40166000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–51200
Sensor detailUK publishes 24.3 million effective pixels, Japan 24.32 million; 24.93 million total. Image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data.Approximately 25.3 million total pixels; 3:2 back-illuminated sensor.
Image formatsNEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless or compressed options, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, square and 16:9 still crops supported.JPEG and Sony ARW 2.3 RAW, including uncompressed RAW. Sony's announcement limits compressed RAW continuous shooting to 12 bits; 14-bit output is not universal in every mode.
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–102400; auto ISO availableStandard still-image ISO 100–51200; expanded ISO 50–204800. Video ISO 100–51200 expands up to ISO 102400.
Image processorEXPEED 6BIONZ X with front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst4.5 fps10 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter with model-dependent restrictions–
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection, 273 single-point FX positions and human/animal eye detection. Maker sensitivity −2 EV normally or −3 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.Fast Hybrid AF with 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points; phase-detection covers approximately 93% of the image area. Eye AF supports continuous AF.
ShutterMechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.Focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; electronic first curtain and silent electronic shooting.
Burst detailContinuous H up to 4.5 fps at full resolution with AF/AE; Continuous L 1–4 fpsUp to approximately 10 fps in Hi+ with AF/AE tracking using mechanical or silent shooting; approximately 8 fps in Hi with live view. Maximum speed depends on settings and lens compatibility. Silent shooting can distort moving subjects. Sony gives buffers of approximately 177 standard JPEG, 89 compressed RAW or 40 uncompressed RAW images under its UHS-II SDXC test conditions.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claimFive-axis image-sensor shift; Sony claims 5 stops under CIPA conditions for pitch/yaw with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on the lens.
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessories–
Exposure controlsAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering–
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 up to 29.97p with approximately 1.7× crop; Full HD up to 59.94p using full-frame image area. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. No 120p recording mode.Japanese/NTSC XAVC S 4K at 30p or 24p, approximately 100 or 60 Mbps; the UK PAL specification lists 25p. Full HD reaches 120p in NTSC modes. S-Log2, S-Log3 and HLG supported. Sony specifies different sensor readout at 24p and 30p; PhotographyBlog reports a 1.2× crop at 30p. Continuous recording is limited to approximately 29 minutes.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring availableBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots1,040,000921,600
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels. Maker size is 3.2 inches, rather than TechRadar's 3.0-inch wording.TFT screen tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; touch focus is supported. Dots count colour subpixels.
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint0.5-inch electronic viewfinder; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs710 photographs
Body weight590 g565 g
Release detailMaker launch release states August 2020 availability; a later US maker notice schedules 27 August. Exact earliest worldwide or UK retail day remains unconfirmed, so month precision is retained.Sony Japan specifies 23 March 2018 for the ILCE-7M3 body and ILCE-7M3K kit, following its 27 February announcement; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim.
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingTwo card slots; slot 1 supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards, while slot 2 supports UHS-I SD and compatible Memory Stick media.
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords; maker connector specifications take precedence over the review's full-size HDMI wordingUSB-C with USB 3.1 Gen 1, Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsUK technical page lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Japan lists a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz. Bluetooth 4.2 and SnapBridge; regional wireless specifications differ.Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC.
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 470 shots using monitor or 390 using EVF. Movie battery claim approximately 120 minutes with monitor or 115 with EVF. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N10 holds two batteries.NP-FZ100; approximately 710 photographs with the monitor or 610 with the viewfinder under CIPA conditions.
ChargingUSB-C charging/power with compatible equipment; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b; MH-25a external charger, optional EH-7P or compatible AC adapter with EP-5B connectorUSB-C or Multi/Micro USB charging and power supply.
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mmApproximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm maximum (width × height × depth); Sony also gives 62.7 mm from grip to monitor.
Weight detailApproximately 590 g body only or 675 g with battery/card, excluding body capApproximately 565 g body only; 650 g including battery and memory card; lens excluded.
MaterialsMaker dust/drip-resistant magnesium-alloy exterior; TechRadar identifies a plastic rear panel. Maker operating range 0–40°C; resistance does not guarantee waterproofing.–
In the boxBF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, AN-DC19 strap, UC-E24 USB cable and BS-1 shoe cover; charger plug varies by region, current Japan also lists AN-DC26 as a strap alternativeNP-FZ100 battery, AC adaptor AC-UUD12, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony Japan.

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