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Nikon Z8vsSony a7 IV: Which is Better?

The Nikon Z8 and Sony a7 IV are full-frame mirrorless cameras built for demanding creators. While both offer dual card slots and weather sealing, they diverge sharply in resolution, video capabilities, and physical design.

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Intro

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Best for

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Biggest differences

  • Continuous shooting (electronic)

    Nikon Z8 leads

    3×

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z830 fps
    • Sony a7 IV10 fps

  • 4K max frame rate (full width)

    Nikon Z8 leads

    4×

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z8120 fps
    • Sony a7 IV30 fps

  • Launch price

    Sony a7 IV leads

    −37%

    lower is better

    • Nikon Z83,999.95 USD
    • Sony a7 IV2,499.99 USD

  • Rear screen resolution

    Nikon Z8 leads

    2.02×

    higher is better

    • Nikon Z82.1 M dots
    • Sony a7 IV1.04 M dots

Features not all of them have

High resolution pixel-shift mode

  • Nikon Z8✓
  • Sony a7 IV✕

Where each one wins

  • Nikon Z8

    • High resolution pixel-shift mode
    • Effective pixels
    • Sensor type
    • Continuous shooting (electronic)
    • Max video resolution
    • 4K max frame rate
    • 4K max frame rate (full width)
    • Raw video recording
    • Viewfinder magnification
    • Screen size
    • Screen articulation
    • Rear screen resolution
    • Minimum operating temperature

  • Sony a7 IV

    • Launch price
    • Native ISO maximum
    • Weight
    • Width
    • Height
    • Depth

What both have

  • Sensor formatFull-frame
  • In-body image stabilization5.5 stops
  • Video bit depth10 bit
  • Log profile support✓
  • Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots
  • Memory card slots2 slots
  • Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
  • USB charging & power delivery✓
  • Headphone port✓
  • HDMI port typeFull-size

Every spec

Red marks the better value in each row.

SpecNikon Z8Sony a7 IV
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2023-052021-10
Launch price3,999.95 USD2,499.99 USD
Lens mountNikon ZSony E
High resolution pixel-shift modeYesNo
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels45.7 MP33 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameFull-frame
Native ISO maximum25,600 ISO51,200 ISO1
In-body image stabilization5.5 stops25.5 stops3
Sensor readout speedNot publishedNot published
Sensor typeStacked CMOSCMOS
Aspect ratios3:2, 1:1, 16:93:2
Lens & Autofocus

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Lens & Autofocus specs

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Continuous shooting (mechanical)Not published10 fps4
Continuous shooting (electronic)30 fps510 fps
Max mechanical shutter speedNot published8,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture duration300 s6Not published
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, bird, train, airplane, motorcycle, vehicleHuman, animal, bird
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution8K4K
4K max frame rate120 fps60 fps7
Video codecsH.264, HEVC, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes RAW, N-RAWH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)120 fps30 fps8
Raw video recordingInternalNone9
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit
Log profile supportYesYes
Video dynamic range (log)Not published15 stops10
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots3.69 M dots
Viewfinder magnification0.8 x0.78 x
Screen size3.2 in2.95 in11
Screen articulationMulti-angle12Fully articulated
Rear screen resolution2.1 M dots1.04 M dots13
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery lifeNot published580 shots14
Memory card slots2 slots2 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistantDust and drip resistant15
Weight910 g658 g
Width144 mm131.3 mm
Height118.5 mm96.4 mm
Depth83 mm69.7 mm16
USB charging & power deliveryYesYes17
Minimum operating temperature-10 °C0 °C
Headphone portYesYes
HDMI port typeFull-sizeFull-size
Notes on 17 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 1Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
  2. 2Nikon 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.
  3. 3Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
  4. 4Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
  5. 5Nikon Z8, Continuous shooting (electronic): Full-resolution JPEG bursts reach 30 fps; 14-bit RAW bursts top out at 20 fps.
  6. 6Nikon Z8, Pre-burst capture duration: The 300 s Pre-Release Capture buffer arrived with firmware 2.0; launch firmware allowed 30 s.
  7. 7Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
  8. 8Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
  9. 9Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
  10. 10Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
  11. 11Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
  12. 12Nikon Z8, Screen articulation: Nikon's 4-axis monitor tilts both vertically and horizontally but does not swing out like a fully articulated screen.
  13. 13Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
  14. 14Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
  15. 15Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
  16. 16Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
  17. 17Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.

Resolution and Detail

The Nikon Z8 captures significantly more detail with its 45.7 MP stacked CMOS sensor compared to the 33 MP sensor on the Sony a7 IV. This higher resolution allows for heavier cropping and larger prints without losing sharpness.

Additionally, the Z8 includes a high-resolution pixel-shift mode for static subjects, a feature the Sony lacks entirely.

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Resolution and Detail

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Speed and Action

For capturing fast movement, the Nikon Z8 reaches electronic burst speeds of 30 fps for full-resolution JPEGs. The Sony a7 IV tops out at 10 fps for compressed RAW, JPEG, and HEIF files, dropping to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed options.

The Z8 also introduces extensive subject detection for trains, airplanes, motorcycles, and vehicles, alongside humans, animals, and birds, whereas the Sony limits its tracking to humans, animals, and birds.

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Speed and Action

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Video Performance

Video creators will find major differences in capability. The Nikon Z8 records in 8K and shoots 4K at up to 120 fps across the full sensor width, while offering internal raw recording formats like ProRes RAW and N-RAW.

The Sony a7 IV is limited to 4K resolution and restricts its 4K 60 fps mode to a Super35mm crop, with full-width 4K topping out at 30p and no internal raw recording options.

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Video Performance

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Handling and Portability

The Sony a7 IV prioritizes a lighter and more compact build, weighing 658 g with smaller overall dimensions than the 910 g Nikon Z8. This makes the Sony easier to carry on long hikes or all-day shoots.

However, the Nikon Z8 counters with a rugged build rated down to -10 °C, a larger 3.2-inch rear screen with higher 2.1 M dot resolution, and a multi-axis tilting monitor.

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Handling and Portability

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The Verdict

Buy the Nikon Z8 if you need uncompromised 8K video, fast electronic burst shooting, and maximum sensor resolution. Buy the Sony a7 IV if you want a lighter, more affordable full-frame camera with solid everyday hybrid capabilities.

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Verdict

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Where to buy

FAQ

Which camera is cheaper to buy?

The Sony a7 IV launched at $2,499.99, making it significantly more affordable than the Nikon Z8 at $3,999.95.

Can both cameras shoot in raw video internally?

Yes, the Nikon Z8 supports internal raw video recording in formats like ProRes RAW and N-RAW. The Sony a7 IV does not support internal or external raw video recording.

Do both models feature fully articulated screens?

No, the Sony a7 IV features a fully articulated screen that swings out. The Nikon Z8 uses a 4-axis multi-angle monitor that tilts vertically and horizontally without swinging out.

What is the native ISO range for each camera?

The Nikon Z8 has a native maximum of ISO 25,600, while the Sony a7 IV reaches a native maximum of ISO 51,200.

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FAQ

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