Request a product

Nikon Z5II vs Sony Alpha 7 IV

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ5IISonyAlpha 7 IV
Overview
ReleasedApril 2025November 2021
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated CMOSExmor R back-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP33 MP
Largest image6048 × 40327008 × 4672
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–64000100–51200
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor-cleaning function and image-dust-off reference data for NX StudioApproximately 34.1 million total pixels; 3:2 full-frame sensor
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless, high-efficiency star or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIFJPEG, HEIF and 14-bit RAW; compressed, lossless compressed and uncompressed RAW options
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–64000; expanded equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Conventional movie ISO 100–51200.Standard still-image ISO 100–51200; expanded ISO 50–204800. Movie ISO 100–51200, expandable to 102400.
Image processorEXPEED 7BIONZ XR
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst30 fps10 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter, with model-dependent functional restrictionsInterchangeable E-mount; body figures exclude lenses. ILCE-7M4K kit includes FE 28–70mm F3.5–5.6 OSS.
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills; 3D tracking, nine subject types and AF-A automatic AF-S/AF-C selection. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, an f/1.2 lens and 20°C.Fast Hybrid AF with 759 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points in full-frame mode; Eye AF recognises humans, animals and birds in stills and movies
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time, extendable to 900 seconds in manual mode; flash sync at 1/200 second or slower and Auto FP supportMechanical or electronic shutter; 1/8000 second to 30 seconds plus Bulb; full-frame flash sync 1/250 second
Burst detailOrdinary continuous high approximately 7.8 fps mechanical, 9.4 fps electronic front-curtain or 10 fps silent. Extended high approximately 14 fps, or 15 fps silent, with JPEG-only restrictions at the highest extended rate. C15/C30 high-speed frame capture supports pre-release capture; main 30 fps is electronic-shutter JPEG normal, not RAW.Hi+ up to 10 fps, Hi 8 fps, Mid 6 fps and Lo 3 fps. Photography Blog and TechRadar report JPEG/compressed RAW are needed for 10 fps; uncompressed or lossless RAW slows to approximately 5–6 fps. Speed and buffer depend on shooting conditions and card.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; maker claim up to 7.5 stops at the centre or 6 at the periphery under CIPA 2024 using NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has compatible-lens and focus-mode restrictions.Five-axis sensor shift; maker claims 5.5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA. Active movie stabilisation adds a crop.
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights–
Exposure controlsAuto, P/S/A/M and three user settings; ±5 EV still-image compensation–
Video
Highest video resolution4032 × 2268 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 60 fps
Video detailN-RAW 12-bit at 4032 × 2268 up to 30p in FX or 3984 × 2240 up to 30p in DX. Conventional UHD 3840 × 2160 reaches 60p with DX crop; uncropped UHD reaches 30p and Full HD reaches 120p. H.265 8/10-bit and H.264; N-Log, HLG, RED LUT support, waveform, timecode, proxy recording and Full HD Hi-Res Zoom. Recording-time limit 125 minutes, subject to conditions.Internal 4K up to 60p, including 10-bit 4:2:2; 60p/50p uses APS-C/Super 35 rather than full-frame readout. Full-frame 4K 30p uses 7K oversampling. Full HD up to 120p; S-Log3, HLG and S-Cinetone. USB streaming tops out at 4K 15p or Full HD 60p, separately from internal recording.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV and MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone and headphone monitoring–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0001,036,800
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% frame coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsSide-opening vari-angle touchscreen, approximately 176° opening and 270° rotation; dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint; Nikon UK claims 3000 cd/m² maximum brightness and 60 Hz refresh0.5-type OLED; 3,686,400 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.78× magnification; 60 or 120 fps display
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)390 photographs580 photographs
Body weight620 g573 g
Release detailAnnounced on 3 April 2025. Nikon's later Z5IIC announcement explicitly identifies the Z5II as released in April 2025; month precision is retained because an exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.Sony Hong Kong states 25 November 2021 availability; the UK announcement gives December 2021. Announced on 21 October 2021. This is ILCE-7M4, not the Alpha 7R IV or Alpha 7S III.
Recording mediaTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots supporting UHS-II; overflow, backup and separate file-format recordingSlot 1 accepts CFexpress Type A or UHS-I/II SD cards; slot 2 accepts UHS-I/II SD cards
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB; Micro HDMI Type D; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; MC-DC3 remote-release connectionFull-size HDMI Type A; USB-C 10Gbps with Power Delivery; Multi/Micro USB; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; Multi Interface Shoe with digital audio
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging CloudDual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, subject to regional 5 GHz restrictions; Bluetooth 4.1
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 390 shots with the monitor and power saving enabled, 350 without; EVF 380 with power saving or 330 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S. Movie battery-life claim approximately 85 minutes. Photography Blog quotes a different monitor-shot figure; main follows Nikon's full specification.NP-FZ100. Current Sony Japan specifications give approximately 580 photographs with the monitor or 520 with the viewfinder under CIPA conditions; Photography Blog's launch review instead reports a 610-shot claim. Main figure follows the current maker table.
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with compatible equipment; EN-EL15b/15a compatibility has restrictions. Nikon UK states no charger included.In-camera USB-C charging and USB Power Delivery
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 72 mmApproximately 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8 mm; 69.7 mm depth from grip to monitor
Weight detailApproximately 620 g body only or 700 g including battery and memory card, excluding body capApproximately 573 g body only; current Sony specifications give 658 g with battery and memory card. Photography Blog incorrectly describes the loaded figure as excluding battery/card; it is not used as body weight.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top and rear covers; dust- and drip-resistant construction–
In the boxEN-EL15c battery, AN-DC26 strap, DK-29 eyepiece, BS-1 shoe cover, BF-N1 body cap and USB cable–

More comparisons