Compare · 2 products compared
Nikon Z8vsSony a6700: Full-Frame or APS-C?
These two cameras share a Sony E and Nikon Z mirrorless design, in-body stabilization, 4K120p video and log profiles. The Z8 is a full-frame flagship with 8K and a stacked sensor; the a6700 is a compact APS-C body. Sensor size and weight decide most buyers.
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- MOST WINS
NikonBest for Professionals and hybrid shooters who need full-frame quality, 8K and raw video.
17of 22 specs better - Sony
Best for Travelers and casual creators who want a light, compact APS-C body with strong 4K.
5of 22 specs better
Biggest differences
Continuous shooting (electronic)
Nikon Z8 leads
2.73×
higher is better
- Nikon Z830 fps
- Sony a670011 fps
Memory card slots
Nikon Z8 leads
2×
higher is better
- Nikon Z82 slots
- Sony a67001 slots
Weight
Sony a6700 leads
−46%
lower is better
- Nikon Z8910 g
- Sony a6700493 g
Effective pixels
Nikon Z8 leads
+76%
higher is better
- Nikon Z845.7 MP
- Sony a670026 MP
Features not all of them have
High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Nikon Z8✓
- Sony a6700✕
Where each one wins
Nikon Z8
- High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Effective pixels
- Sensor format
- In-body image stabilization
- Sensor type
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- Max video resolution
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Raw video recording
- Viewfinder resolution
- Viewfinder magnification
- Screen size
- Screen articulation
- Rear screen resolution
- Memory card slots
- Minimum operating temperature
- HDMI port type
Sony a6700
- Native ISO maximum
- Weight
- Width
- Height
- Depth
What both have
- 4K max frame rate120 fps
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Log profile support✓
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Headphone port✓
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Nikon Z8 | Sony a6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2023-05 | Not published |
| Launch price | 3,999.95 USD | Not published |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | Yes | No |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 45.7 MP | 26 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | APS-C |
| Native ISO maximum | 25,600 ISO | 32,000 ISO |
| In-body image stabilization | 5.5 stops1 | 5 stops |
| Sensor readout speed | Not published | Not published |
| Sensor type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2, 1:1, 16:9 | Not published |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | Not published | 11 fps |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 30 fps2 | 11 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | Not published | 4,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 300 s3 | Not published |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, bird, train, airplane, motorcycle, vehicle | Human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplane |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 8K | 4K |
| 4K max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes RAW, N-RAW | H.264, HEVC |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 120 fps | 60 fps4 |
| Raw video recording | Internal | None |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit |
| Log profile support | Yes | Yes |
| Video dynamic range (log) | Not published | 14 stops |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 3.69 M dots | 2.36 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.8 x | 0.7 x |
| Screen size | 3.2 in | 3 in |
| Screen articulation | Multi-angle5 | Fully articulated |
| Rear screen resolution | 2.1 M dots | 1.04 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | Not published | 570 shots |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 1 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant | Not published |
| Weight | 910 g | 493 g |
| Width | 144 mm | 122 mm |
| Height | 118.5 mm | 69 mm |
| Depth | 83 mm | 75.1 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum operating temperature | -10 °C | 0 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Micro |
Notes on 5 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Nikon Z8, In-body image stabilization: The 6.0-stop figure applies only with Synchro VR-compatible Nikkor Z lenses; the standard body rating is 5.5 stops.
- 2Nikon Z8, Continuous shooting (electronic): Full-resolution JPEG bursts reach 30 fps; 14-bit RAW bursts top out at 20 fps.
- 3Nikon Z8, Pre-burst capture duration: The 300 s Pre-Release Capture buffer arrived with firmware 2.0; launch firmware allowed 30 s.
- 4Sony a6700, 4K max frame rate (full width): Full-width 4K tops out at 60p; 120p 4K uses a crop.
- 5Nikon Z8, Screen articulation: Nikon's 4-axis monitor tilts both vertically and horizontally but does not swing out like a fully articulated screen.
Sensor and image quality
The Nikon Z8's full-frame stacked sensor captures 45.7 MP against the Sony a6700's 26 MP APS-C chip. That gap matters in two ways: more pixels for cropping and large prints, and roughly twice the light-gathering area for cleaner high-ISO files. The stacked design also reads out faster, which reduces rolling shutter in silent shooting and video.
The Sony counters with a higher native ISO ceiling of 32,000 versus 25,600, though the practical low-light advantage still favors the larger sensor. Aspect ratio flexibility is also broader on the Nikon, which offers 3:2, 1:1 and 16:9; Sony does not publish its selectable ratios.
Video
The Z8 records 8K internally, captures 4K at 120 fps across the full sensor width, and supports ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes RAW and N-RAW in 10-bit. That combination is what separates a hybrid flagship from a compact APS-C body. Raw video in particular gives colorists far more latitude than the Sony's H.264 and HEVC codecs allow.
The a6700 matches the Nikon at 4K120p, but only with a crop; full-width 4K tops out at 60p. It still offers 10-bit recording and log profiles, which is strong for its class. For anyone delivering 4K60 or slower, the Sony holds up well.
Handling, viewfinder and size
The Nikon's viewfinder is the more comfortable one to shoot through: 3.69 M dots at 0.8x magnification versus 2.36 M dots at 0.7x on the Sony. The rear screen is larger and higher resolution too, and its multi-angle design tilts both vertically and horizontally. Sony's fully articulated screen swings out for vlogging but does not tilt the same way.
The trade-off is portability. The a6700 weighs 493 g against the Z8's 910 g, and is noticeably smaller in every dimension. For travel, hiking or all-day carry, that difference is felt immediately. The Z8's dual card slots and full-size HDMI port are the counterweight for working professionals.
Autofocus and speed
Subject detection differs more in coverage than in philosophy. The Z8 recognizes humans, animals, birds, trains, airplanes, motorcycles and vehicles. The a6700 covers humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes. Sony adds insects; Nikon adds motorcycles and a broader vehicle category.
Burst speed is where the Z8 pulls clearly ahead: 30 fps electronic versus 11 fps on the Sony. The Nikon's pre-release capture buffer of 300 s (after firmware 2.0) is also far longer than anything Sony publishes. Neither maker publishes a sensor readout time, so shutter-speed claims for the Sony rely on its mechanical shutter at 4,000 1/s.
Battery, weather sealing and power
Sony publishes 570 shots per charge for the a6700; Nikon does not publish a CIPA figure for the Z8. Both support USB charging and power delivery, so field top-ups work the same way on either body. The Z8 is rated to operate down to -10 °C, while the Sony's minimum is 0 °C, a real difference for winter shooting.
Weather sealing is only officially stated by Nikon as dust and drip resistant; Sony does not publish a rating for the a6700. Both cameras have headphone ports, and the Z8 uses a full-size HDMI connector that resists accidental unplugging better than the Sony's micro port.
The Verdict
Buy the Nikon Z8 if you need full-frame image quality, 8K or raw video, fast stacked-sensor bursts and a larger viewfinder, and you can carry the extra weight. Buy the Sony a6700 if portability, a lower price and a compact APS-C system matter more than sensor size and video depth.
Where to buy
Nikon Z8
Best for Professionals and hybrid shooters who need full-frame quality, 8K and raw video.
Sony a6700
Best for Travelers and casual creators who want a light, compact APS-C body with strong 4K.
FAQ
Does the Sony a6700 have a full-frame sensor?
No. The a6700 uses a 26 MP APS-C sensor, which is smaller than the Z8's 45.7 MP full-frame chip. That affects low-light performance, dynamic range and how much detail you can crop into.
Can the Nikon Z8 shoot 8K video?
Yes. The Z8 records 8K internally, plus 4K at 120 fps across the full sensor width. The a6700 tops out at 4K, and its 120p mode uses a crop.
Which camera is better for sports and action?
The Nikon Z8. It shoots 30 fps electronic versus 11 fps on the Sony, and its pre-release capture buffer reaches 300 s after firmware 2.0. The a6700's 11 fps is respectable but slower.
Which is better for travel?
The Sony a6700. It weighs 493 g against the Z8's 910 g and is smaller in width, height and depth. That matters on long days or in tight bags.
Do both cameras have in-body stabilization?
Yes. The Z8 is rated at 5.5 stops and the a6700 at 5 stops. The Z8's higher figure only applies with Synchro VR-compatible Nikkor Z lenses; the standard body rating is 5.5 stops.
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