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Nikon Z 5 vs Sony Alpha 7C

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 5SonyAlpha 7C
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020October 2020
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 sensor; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
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 compressed or uncompressed RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); 14-bit RAW output, reduced to 12-bit with compressed RAW in continuous, Bulb or long-exposure noise-reduction shooting; XAVC S movies
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–102400; auto ISO availableStandard still-image and movie ISO 100–51200; still-image extension ISO 50–204800; movie extension reaches ISO 102400
Image processorEXPEED 6BIONZ X
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 restrictionsInterchangeable E-mount; ILCE-7C is body only; ILCE-7CL kit includes the retractable FE 28–60 mm f/4–5.6 lens. The photo shows both body colours with this optional kit lens.
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 in full-frame stills; maker detection range EV -4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; Real-time Tracking and human/animal Eye AF. Current Sony specifications include animal Eye AF in video.
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.Electronic first-curtain mechanical shutter up to 1/4000 second; silent electronic shutter up to 1/8000 second; 30-second exposures and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second with Sony flash
Burst detailContinuous H up to 4.5 fps at full resolution with AF/AE; Continuous L 1–4 fpsUp to 10 fps Hi+ with AF/AE tracking, 8 fps Hi with live view, 6 fps Mid or 3 fps Lo; maker buffer approximately 223 fine JPEGs, 115 compressed RAW or 45 uncompressed RAW images
Stabilisation detailFive-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claimFive-axis sensor-shift correction; maker claim 5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw testing with the FE 50 mm f/1.4 ZA lens and long-exposure noise reduction off
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessoriesNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash; flash unavailable with electronic shutter
Exposure controlsAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering1200-zone evaluative metering; program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; exposure compensation ±5 EV, or ±3 EV using the dedicated dial
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.Internal 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p NTSC or 25p PAL in XAVC S up to 100 Mbps, 8-bit 4:2:0; Full HD up to 120p NTSC or 100p PAL. HDMI outputs 8-bit 4:2:2. Photography Blog identifies full-width 4K at 24p/25p and a crop at 30p. S-Log2/S-Log3, HLG, timecode, gamma display assist and S&Q features.
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; LPCM stereo recording; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible microphones and XLR adaptor
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.Side-opening vari-angle LCD; opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; touch focus, tracking, shutter and touchpad operation, without touch menu navigation
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint0.39-type XGA OLED; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.59× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; 60 or 120 fps refresh
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs740 photographs
Body weight590 g424 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 Hong Kong specifies retail availability from the beginning of October 2020. This is the original ILCE-7C, a separate compact family alongside Alpha 7 III.
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingOne SD slot supporting UHS-I and UHS-II SDHC/SDXC; Class 10 or higher for XAVC S, UHS Speed Class 3 for 100 Mbps recording
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 (USB 3.2 at 5 Gbps), Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and digital-audio 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 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 4.1; NFC; smartphone remote control and FTP transfer; 5 GHz availability varies by region
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; CIPA maker claim approximately 740 photographs using LCD or 680 using viewfinder; actual movie claim approximately 140 minutes using either display
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 connectorIn-camera USB charging and USB power supply
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mmApproximately 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7 mm; depth from grip to monitor 53.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 590 g body only or 675 g with battery/card, excluding body capApproximately 424 g body only; 509 g with battery and memory card; both exclude lens. Photography Blog mislabels the loaded 509 g figure as body only; Sony's explicit split is used.
MaterialsMaker dust/drip-resistant magnesium-alloy exterior; TechRadar identifies a plastic rear panel. Maker operating range 0–40°C; resistance does not guarantee waterproofing.Magnesium-alloy monocoque construction; maker describes dust and moisture resistance without guaranteeing complete protection
Colours–Silver/black or black
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, strap, body/shoe caps and USB-A to USB-C cable; kit additionally includes FE 28–60 mm lens and lens caps

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