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Nikon Z 8 vs Sony Alpha 7C II

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 8SonyAlpha 7C II
Overview
ReleasedMay 2023September 2023
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeStacked backside-illuminated CMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution45.7 MP33 MP
Largest image8256 × 55047008 × 4672
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range64–25600100–51200
Sensor detail52.37 million total pixels; sensor cleaning, dust-off reference data, protective sensor shield and electro-conductive/fluorine coatingsApproximately 34.1 million total pixels; optical low-pass filter; maker maximum movie effective resolution 27.6 MP
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG, HEIF and RAW plus JPEG or HEIFJPEG, HEIF and RAW (Sony ARW 5.0); 14-bit RAW output; compressed, lossless-compressed and uncompressed RAW options; XAVC S, XAVC S-I and XAVC HS movies
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; HLG still photography starts at ISO 400; auto ISO supportedStandard still-image and movie ISO 100–51200; still-image extension ISO 50–204800; movie extension reaches ISO 102400. Photography Blog lists a lower extended maximum; Sony’s explicit specification is used.
Image processorEXPEED 7BIONZ XR and dedicated AI processing unit
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst20 fps10 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent restrictionsInterchangeable E-mount; body-only and FE 28–60 mm f/4–5.6 kit offered; the photo shows both body colours with this optional kit lens
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection, 493 single-point FX still positions, 3D tracking and subject detection including people, animals, birds and vehicles/aircraft. Maker sensitivity −7 EV or −9 EV with Starlight View, measured in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/1.2.Fast Hybrid AF; up to 759 phase-detection points for stills or 627 for movies; EV -4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; current maker subjects include automatic selection, humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and aircraft
ShutterElectronic shutter only, with selectable sound and sensor shield; 1/32000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 or 1/250 second with reduced guide number at the higher speeds; compatible Auto FP up to 1/8000.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 full-frame or 1/200 second APS-C with Sony flash
Burst detailContinuous high-speed shooting up to 20 fps for full-resolution RAW. High-speed capture C15/C30 uses large FX or DX JPEGs, C60 requires large DX JPEGs and C120 requires small FX JPEGs (4128 × 2752). High-speed burst length varies by frame rate according to the current manual; these restricted JPEG modes are separate from the main continuous RAW figure. Pre-release capture available. Current manual restrictions take precedence over UK marketing prose and TechRadar's erroneous full-resolution 60 fps claim.Up to 10 fps Hi+; maker buffer approximately 44 compressed RAW, 27 lossless-compressed RAW or 18 uncompressed RAW images; over 1,000 Fine JPEGs. Amateur Photographer notes 10 fps requires compressed RAW and gives 8 fps live-view continuous or 6 fps with lossless-compressed RAW.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; lens VR supported, with Synchro VR up to 6 stops using NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S at the telephoto end under Nikon's CIPA conditions; electronic movie VR availableFive-axis sensor shift; maker claim 7 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw testing with the FE 50 mm f/1.2 GM lens and long-exposure noise reduction off; current maker movie modes include Dynamic Active and Active electronic correction
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering1200-zone evaluative metering; exposure compensation ±5 EV
Video
Highest video resolution8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps3840 × 2160 at 60 fps
Video detailN-RAW 12-bit 8256 × 4644 up to 59.94p; 5392 × 3032 up to 59.94p and 4128 × 2322 up to 119.88p. Conventional UHD 7680 × 4320 up to 29.97p; UHD 4K and Full HD up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have format-dependent limits. Internal N-Log/HLG, waveform, timecode, RAW proxies and Hi-Res Zoom. Nikon's launch recording claims approximately 125 minutes UHD 4K/60p and 90 minutes UHD 8K/30p use specified media, temperature and external-power conditions.Internal 3840 × 2160 up to 60p NTSC or 50p PAL, with 10-bit 4:2:2 options; 60p/50p requires Super 35 crop. Full-frame 30p is oversampled from approximately 7K; Full HD up to 120p NTSC or 100p PAL. XAVC S-I 4K reaches 600 Mbps at 60p. S-Log3, S-Cinetone, user LUT display and AI Auto Framing; HDMI output supports 10-bit 4:2:2, without RAW video output.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoringBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe; compatible accessories support four-channel 24-bit LPCM
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0001,036,800
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailFour-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsSide-opening vari-angle touchscreen; opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; touch menu operation
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 23 mm eyepoint; blackout-free display0.39-type XGA OLED; 2,359,296 dots; approximately 0.70× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; 60 or 120 fps refresh
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)370 photographs560 photographs
Body weight820 g429 g
Release detailAnnounced on 10 May 2023; Nikon US explicitly states availability on 25 May, corroborated by TechRadar's launch coverage. Exact first UK retail day is not independently established.Sony Australia specifies retail availability from September 2023. Photography Blog reports the original Alpha 7C remained in the range alongside the II. Current maker specifications include later-supported subject recognition and movie-stabilisation features.
Recording mediaOne CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recordingOne SD slot supporting UHS-I and UHS-II; no CFexpress support
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed data port and separate USB-C Power Delivery port; full-size HDMI Type A; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets; ten-pin remote terminal. Ethernet requires a compatible USB-LAN adapter; no built-in Ethernet socket or GPS receiver.USB-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 connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridgeWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 4.2; no NFC; Creators’ App remote operation and image transfer
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 370 shots with power saving or 340 without; EVF 340 with power saving or 330 without. Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test gives approximately 2280 shots; movie battery claim approximately 85 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a provide fewer shots; optional MB-N12 takes two batteries.NP-FZ100; current Sony CIPA claim approximately 560 photographs with LCD or 530 with viewfinder; actual movie claim approximately 105 minutes with LCD or 100 with viewfinder. Both launch-period reviews give lower 540/510-shot figures.
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with suitable optional cable/adapter; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b. MH-25a external charger appears in the technical accessory list; current UK included-accessory tiles do not list it, so verify regional package contents.USB-C in-camera charging and power supply with USB Power Delivery; maker specifies an 18 W or higher USB PD source and 3 A cable
DimensionsApproximately 144 × 118.5 × 83 mmApproximately 124.0 × 71.1 × 63.4 mm; depth from grip to monitor 58.6 mm
Weight detailApproximately 820 g body only or 910 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe coverApproximately 429 g body only; 514 g with battery and memory card; both exclude lens. Photography Blog gives 525 g labelled body only and Amateur Photographer gives 524 g; maker’s explicit figures are used.
MaterialsMagnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite; dust/moisture-resistant construction, maker operating range −10°C to 40°CMaker specifies recycled materials including SORPLAS in the body, depending on production timing
Colours–Silver/black or black
In the boxCurrent UK accessory tiles list EN-EL15c, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC26 strap, DK-33 eyecup and BF-N1 body cap; technical list additionally names BS-1 shoe cover, HDMI/USB cable clip and region-dependent MH-25a charger–

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