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Compare · 2 products compared

Nikon Z5IICvsSony a7 IV: Full-Frame Face-Off

These full-frame mirrorless cameras offer advanced stabilization, interchangeable lenses, and high-resolution video for demanding creators. The choice between them comes down to a significant price gap, handling preferences, and whether you prioritize sensor resolution or internal raw video capture.

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Intro

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  • MOST WINS
    Nikon

    Nikon Z5IIC

    Best for Budget-conscious creators prioritizing video raw formats and high-speed bursts

    9of 17 specs better
  • Sony

    Sony a7 IV

    Best for Shooters needing dual card slots, higher photo resolution, and longer battery life

    8of 17 specs better
    View on eBay · $1,998.00

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Best for

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Which products? Tick all that apply, or none if you are not sure.

Biggest differences

  • Continuous shooting (electronic)

    Nikon Z5IIC leads

    3×

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z5IIC30 fps
    • Sony a7 IV10 fps

  • Memory card slots

    Sony a7 IV leads

    2×

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z5IIC1 slots
    • Sony a7 IV2 slots

  • Launch price

    Nikon Z5IIC leads

    −44%

    lower is better

    • Nikon Z5IIC1,399.95 USD
    • Sony a7 IV2,499.99 USD

  • Battery life

    Sony a7 IV leads

    +66%

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z5IIC350 shots
    • Sony a7 IV580 shots

Where each one wins

  • Nikon Z5IIC

    • Launch price
    • Native ISO maximum
    • In-body image stabilization
    • Continuous shooting (mechanical)
    • Continuous shooting (electronic)
    • Raw video recording
    • Screen size
    • Weight
    • Height

  • Sony a7 IV

    • Effective pixels
    • Max mechanical shutter speed
    • Viewfinder resolution
    • Battery life
    • Memory card slots
    • Width
    • Depth
    • HDMI port type

What both have

  • Sensor formatFull-frame
  • Sensor typeCMOS
  • Max video resolution4K
  • 4K max frame rate60 fps
  • 4K max frame rate (full width)30 fps
  • Video bit depth10 bit
  • Log profile support✓
  • Screen articulationFully articulated
  • Rear screen resolution1.04 M dots
  • Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
  • USB charging & power delivery✓
  • Minimum operating temperature0 °C
  • Headphone port✓

Every spec

Red marks the better value in each row.

SpecNikon Z5IICSony a7 IV
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2026-102021-10
Launch price1,399.95 USD2,499.99 USD
Lens mountNikon ZSony E
High resolution pixel-shift modeNot publishedNo
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels24.5 MP33 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameFull-frame
Native ISO maximum64,000 ISO151,200 ISO2
In-body image stabilization7.5 stops35.5 stops4
Sensor readout speedNot publishedNot published
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Aspect ratios3:2, 1:1, 16:953:2
Lens & Autofocus

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Lens & Autofocus specs

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Continuous shooting (mechanical)14 fps610 fps7
Continuous shooting (electronic)30 fps810 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed4,000 1/s98,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture duration1 s10Not published
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, bird, airplane, vehicleHuman, animal, bird
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution4K4K
4K max frame rate60 fps1160 fps12
Video codecsH.264, HEVC, N-RAWH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)30 fps1330 fps14
Raw video recordingInternalNone15
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit
Log profile supportYesYes
Video dynamic range (log)Not published15 stops16
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution0 M dots3.69 M dots
Viewfinder magnificationNot published0.78 x
Screen size3.2 in2.95 in17
Screen articulationFully articulatedFully articulated
Rear screen resolution1.04 M dots1.04 M dots18
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery life350 shots19580 shots20
Memory card slots1 slots2 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistant21Dust and drip resistant22
Weight620 g23658 g
Width134 mm131.3 mm
Height80.5 mm96.4 mm
Depth72 mm69.7 mm24
USB charging & power deliveryYesYes25
Minimum operating temperature0 °C0 °C
Headphone portYes26Yes
HDMI port typeMicroFull-size
Notes on 26 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 1Nikon Z5IIC, Native ISO maximum: Expanded settings reach ISO 204800 (Hi 1.7); 64000 is the highest standard/native value.
  2. 2Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
  3. 3Nikon Z5IIC, In-body image stabilization: CIPA 2024 standard: up to 7.5 stops at the frame center, 6.0 stops at the periphery.
  4. 4Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
  5. 5Nikon Z5IIC, Aspect ratios: Native FX (36 x 24) stills are 3:2; 1:1 and 16:9 are selectable in-camera image areas.
  6. 6Nikon Z5IIC, Continuous shooting (mechanical): Spec table: extended burst is approx. 14 fps (15 fps with silent mode); rates apply to non-RAW quality.
  7. 7Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
  8. 8Nikon Z5IIC, Continuous shooting (electronic): C30 is fixed at JPEG [L]/NORMAL; Nikon advises use of a recommended card.
  9. 9Nikon Z5IIC, Max mechanical shutter speed: The 1/8000 s figure is the overall shutter-speed range; the fastest mechanical speed is 1/4000 s.
  10. 10Nikon Z5IIC, Pre-burst capture duration: In High-Speed Frame Capture +, Pre-Release Capture is fixed at JPEG [L] NORMAL.
  11. 11Nikon Z5IIC, 4K max frame rate: 4K/60p is recorded in a DX (APS-C) crop.
  12. 12Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
  13. 13Nikon Z5IIC, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K/60p uses a DX (APS-C) crop, so full-width 4K recording tops out at 30p.
  14. 14Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
  15. 15Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
  16. 16Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
  17. 17Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
  18. 18Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
  19. 19Nikon Z5IIC, Battery life: Approx. 390 shots per charge with [Energy saving (photo mode)] set to ON.
  20. 20Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
  21. 21Nikon Z5IIC, Weather sealing: Complete dust- and drip-resistant performance is not guaranteed in all situations or conditions.
  22. 22Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
  23. 23Nikon Z5IIC, Weight: 620 g is with battery and memory card; the body alone weighs approx. 538 g.
  24. 24Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
  25. 25Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.
  26. 26Nikon Z5IIC, Headphone port: Shared 3.5 mm output doubles as remote release; set its function to headphones for monitoring.

Price and Value

The Nikon Z5IIC launches at $1,399.95, undercutting competitors in the full-frame market. This lower entry cost leaves more room in the budget for high-quality lenses.

In contrast, the Sony a7 IV commands a much higher launch price of $2,499.99. Buyers pay significantly more for its feature set, making value a major advantage for the Nikon.

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Price and Value

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Speed and Autofocus

Action shooters benefit greatly from the Nikon Z5IIC, which delivers up to 14 fps in mechanical continuous shooting and reaches 30 fps electronically. Its expanded subject detection covers airplanes and vehicles alongside humans, animals, and birds.

The Sony a7 IV maxes out at 10 fps for continuous shooting and sticks to human, animal, and bird tracking. It does retain a faster maximum mechanical shutter speed, however.

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Speed and Autofocus

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Video Capabilities

Videographers looking for maximum post-production flexibility will appreciate that the Nikon Z5IIC records raw video internally. Both models capture 4K at 60 fps, though both must use an APS-C or Super35 crop to do so.

The Sony a7 IV lacks any internal or external raw video recording capabilities. It does, however, boast a claimed 15 stops of video dynamic range using its log profiles.

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Video Capabilities

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Handling and Battery

Handling differences are subtle yet important for daily carry. The Nikon Z5IIC weighs only 620 g with its battery and memory card inserted, and features a larger 3.2-inch fully articulated screen.

Meanwhile, the Sony a7 IV provides dual memory card slots and a much higher battery life of 580 shots per charge when using the rear LCD. It also equips a full-size HDMI port rather than the micro connector found on the Nikon.

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Handling and Battery

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The Verdict

Buy the Nikon Z5IIC if you want internal raw video, faster burst rates, and a lower price tag. Buy the Sony a7 IV if you need dual card slots, higher resolution, and superior battery longevity.

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Verdict

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Where to buy

  • Nikon Z5IIC

    Best for Budget-conscious creators prioritizing video raw formats and high-speed bursts

  • Sony a7 IV

    Best for Shooters needing dual card slots, higher photo resolution, and longer battery life

    View on eBay · $1,998.00

FAQ

Do both cameras support log profiles for video?

Yes, both models feature log profile support for grading flexibility.

Which camera has better image stabilization?

The Nikon Z5IIC provides up to 7.5 stops of stabilization at the frame center, outperforming the 5.5-stop rating on the Sony a7 IV.

Can I charge both cameras via USB?

Yes, both models support USB charging and power delivery through their USB Type-C ports.

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FAQ

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