The Sony A7 IV and the Nikon Z7 II have only a 1-year gap between their launches, making these two mirrorless cameras quite identical.
Still, these cameras have some significant differences that largely affect their overall performance.
Following this Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A7 IV comparison guide, we have compared these two Pro Mirrorless cameras in nine different aspects, mentioning edge.
We also include a specs comparison table and quick answers to assist you in deciding the best cameras for your specific needs.
Nikon Z7 II Vs Sony A7 IV: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A7 IV is that the Z7 II has a 46 MP sensor and a larger LCD screen.
Conversely, the A7 IV is lighter, has a longer battery life, and allows recording of unlimited video.
Spec Comparison Table
Specifications | Sony Alpha A7 IV | Nikon Z7 Mark II |
---|---|---|
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Resolution | 33 MP | 46 MP |
Sensor Pixel Area | 25.88µm2 | 18.88µm2 |
LCD Screen Size | 3″ | 3.2 |
Top LCD | No | Yes |
LCD Resolution | 1.440k dots | 2.100k dots |
Adjustable LCD Screen | Fully articulated | Tilting |
Focus Bracketing and Stacking | No | Yes |
Max ISO | 51.200 | 25.600 |
Color Depth | 25.4 | 26.3 |
Gyroscopic Stabilization | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Magnif. | 0.78x | 0.8x |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift | Sensor-shift |
Number of Focus Points | 759 | 493 |
Continuous Shooting | 10.0fps | 10.0fps |
Video Record Limit | Unlimited | Limited |
Max Video Bit rate | 600mbps | 144mbps |
Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Environmental Sealing | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | 600 shots | 420 shots |
Dimensions | 129 x 97 x 81mm | 134 x 101 x 70mm |
Weight | 659 g | 705 g |
Nikon Z7 II Vs Sony A7 IV: In-Depth Comparison
Let’s compare the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A7 IV in all possible aspects and set them apart to find out which is the better performer:
Physical Specs
Edge: Sony A7 IV
The Sony A7 IV is considered the perfect hybrid camera because it provides incredible images while allowing them to be shared instantly.
In addition, it has been manufactured and designed to make the maximum creativity of any professional come true.
Conversely, the Nikon Z7 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera that has the ability to capture great detail thanks to its features and quality.
The light conditions will not matter; with this camera you will give free rein to creativity and perfection.
In comparison, the Sony A7 IV is lighter and more compact than the Nikon Z7 II.
However, both cameras are splash and dust-proof, allowing them to be used in harsh environments and inclement weather conditions.
Either of these models will serve you well during outdoor photography in extreme conditions. The dimensions and weight of these cameras are:
- Sony A7 IV: 129 x 97 x 81 mm and 659 g
- Nikon Z7 II: 134 x 101 x 70 mm and 705 g
Lens Mount And Lenses
Edge: Sony A7 IV
The Sony A7 IV comes with a Sony E lens mount and you can purchase around 184 native lenses for its mount.
Despite this, its short flange focal distance will let you choose from a wide number of options, even from third-party lens manufacturers.
Its sensor features a 5-axis image stabilization system to stabilize the lens you’ll mount on this camera.
Though the Nikon Z7 II also has image stabilization, its lens choice is limited to only 33 options.
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Sensor And Photography Features
Edge: Nikon Z7 II
The Sony A7 IV presents a new sensor together with a processor.
The sensor is of the Exmor R CMOS type, with 33 MP, allowing amazing performance and quality.
In addition, this new sensor has a high-speed readout, high sensitivity, noise reduction, and high-precision color reproduction.
The processor they established is of the BIONZ XR type, which provides higher performance, allowing them to achieve continuous, comfortable capture and reliable data transfer operation at these high speeds.
The Nikon also features a CMOS sensor, although it improves the quality of the Sony with 45.7 MP.
Also, thanks to the dual EXPEED processors inside, the Z 7II has the ability to create high-resolution full-frame images.
You’ll enjoy the greater dynamic range and clearer performance across the wide ISO range.
You will be able to focus absolutely firmly, even when lighting situations are not optimal.
Another difference is that the Z7 II allows shooting of 8256 x 5504 pixels at max resolution along with 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, and 16:9 aspect ratios.
Conversely, the max shooting resolution of the A7 IV is 7008 x 4672 pixels and has the same aspect ratio as the A7 III except 4:3.
In terms of native ISO range, the Z7 II has 64–25600 ISO, which is expandable up to 32–102400 compared to the 100–51200 ISO of the A7 IV.
However, the A7 IV allows expanding the ISO double times.
Both cameras allow saving files in RAW format and lack anti-aliasing to get the best quality picture along with increased sharpness and level of detail.
LCD
Edge: Z7 II
The Sony A7 IV has a touch-screen type fully articulated 3.00-inch LCD screen along with a 1,440 pixel resolution.
It means you can efficiently adjust the setting and set the desired focus point conveniently.
An exciting feature is that its screen is selfie-friendly, making the camera preferable for shooting selfies and group photos.
Despite this, the vlogger and video creator can also take advantage of this LCD screen during work in a single-person setup.
Conversely, the Nikon Z7 II comes with a 3.20-inch LCD screen along with a 2,100K dot resolution.
Though its LCD is also a tough screen type, it is tiltable to shoot from awkward angles. This LCD is suitable for photography instead of vlogging or taking selfies.
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Viewfinder
Edge: Both
Both the Z7 II and the A7 IV feature a built-in electronic viewfinder for accurate shooting under bright conditions and tough-to-view situations.
The viewfinder resolution of these digital cameras is 3,690 k dots, and both ensure 100% coverage.
It means you’ll get the exact image seen in the viewfinder, making the cameras handy for accurate framing shots and eliminating the need for cropping.
There is the least difference in the viewfinder of these two digital cameras. The Z7 II has a 0.8x magnification ratio, while its counterpart has 0.78x.
Connectivity
Edge: Both
In terms of connectivity, both Z7 II and A7 IV are completely identical.
They both features built-in wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for convenient file transferring to compatible devices.
Plus you can control either of these cameras using your smartphone.
Another similarity is these cameras allow you to connect them to a compatible device via USB or HDMI port.
Even you can charge either of them via USB without removing the battery.
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Storage
Edge: Both
The Sony A7 IV writes it’s imaging data to SDXC cards or CFexpress (type A), while the Z7 II uses SDXC cards or CFexpress (type B).
However, both have dual card slots for backup after a memory card fails and support UHS-II cards for 312 MB/s data transfer.
Battery
Edge: Sony A7 IV
The Sony A7 IV is a winner over the Nikon Z7 II in terms of battery life, making it preferable for longer outdoor shooting.
This camera allows shooting 600 shots using its NP-FZ100 battery compared to the 420 shots of the Nikon Z7 II’s EN-EL15c battery.
Video Features
Edge: Sony A7 IV
Though the max video resolution of the A7 IV and Z7 II is 3840 x 2160, the first model allows it to be in 6 different fps while the latter has 4 different fps.
Despite this, the A7 IV offers 600 Mbps bit rates compared to the 144 Mbps bit rates of the Z7 II.
Another difference is that you can save video using the A7 IV in 6 different formats while the Z7 II offers only two formats.
Hence, the Sony A7 IV is a more versatile and impressive camera for vlogging and filmmaking than the Nikon Z7 II.
Despite this, none of these cameras have a crop factor. It means you can use a lens with the actual focal length while shooting video at a max resolution of 4K.
In addition, both cameras have a mono speaker, a built-in stereo microphone, and an external port for connecting external headphones for high-quality videography.
However, only the A7 IV can capture videos at 120fps to create slow-motion videos and get 5x slower and longer videos than normal.
The camera also has a Digital Video Stabilization mode to stabilize video during shooting.
However, the mode can crop the video slightly and won’t help stabilize still images.
Overall, the Sony A7 IV enables you to capture dynamic scenes with incredible detail and precision.
Focusing
Edge: Nikon Z7 II
Both the Z7 II and the A7 IV have Phase Detection autofocus and Contrast Detection systems to deliver improved accuracy and speed of focusing in diverse situations.
However, the A7 IV allows selecting from 759 focus points compared to the Z7 II’s 493 points.
In terms of the Face detection AF system, both cameras detect the faces in the frame intelligently and automatically lock the focus.
They also have Eye Tracking AF to track and lock the moving subject in the frame precisely. This feature is also beneficial for shooting portraits using a fast lens.
But only the Nikon Z7 II has the Focus Stacking feature, making it preferable for micro shooters.
Using this mode, the camera can composite multiple shots automatically captured at various focal positions and create a single image while maintaining the maximum depth of field.
Nikon Z7 II Vs Sony A7 IV: Which Camera Is The Best?
Still, wondering which camera is best between the Nikon Z7 II and the Sony A7 IV? Let’s check some benefits of one camera over the other to decide even more easily.
The Nikon Z7 II has a 45.4 MP sensor and delivers a larger viewfinder image using its higher magnification.
Its top LCD display also ensures easier setting verification, while the larger screen makes it more convenient to review images and control settings.
This Z7 II camera is also suitable for low-frequency shooting and is convenient for photographing in tough positions.
The Sony Alpha A7 IV, on the other hand, is more selfie-friendly and its LCD is also perfect for vlogging.
The camera has a longer battery life and ensures more solid recording, even at a more accurate price.
FAQs about the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A7 IV
Is The Z7 II Camera Good For Landscape Photography?
The Nikon Z7 II is a high-resolution mirrorless camera that offers a low native ISO of 64.
Plus, the camera provides a high level of detail and maximizes dynamic range, making the camera preferable for shooting high-contrast scenes and landscape photography.
What Is The Sony A7 IV Good For?
The Sony A7 IV is an excellent model for recording 4K video up to 60 fps along with 10-bit color depth.
It can also track the gull’s eye in the frame even if the bird is small and detect the whole body for precise photography.
Final Words
Both the Sony A7 IV and the Nikon Z7 II cameras are good for capturing ideal photos and recording videos with good resolution.
These cameras offer higher resolution and better color reproduction, allowing images to represent and highlight each detail much better.
However, they have significant differences that we have mentioned throughout this Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A7 IV debate guide.
I hope now you can go for the right digital camera that suits your quality and price.