Compare · 2 products compared
Sony a7 VvsNikon Z8: Full Comparison
These full-frame mirrorless cameras share dust-resistant builds, dual card slots, and electronic bursts up to 30 fps. Choosing between them comes down to whether you prioritize high-resolution 8K video and stacked-sensor speeds or a lighter body and lower launch price.
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Best for Travel and hybrid shooters wanting a lighter, budget-friendly body
Wins7 / 17- MOST WINS
Best for Pro videographers and landscape photographers needing high resolution
Wins10 / 17
Biggest differences
Pre-burst capture duration
Nikon Z8 leads
300×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V1 s
- Nikon Z8300 s
Native ISO maximum
Sony a7 V leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V51,200 ISO
- Nikon Z825,600 ISO
4K max frame rate (full width)
Nikon Z8 leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a7 V60 fps
- Nikon Z8120 fps
Effective pixels
Nikon Z8 leads
+38%
higher is better
- Sony a7 V33 MP
- Nikon Z845.7 MP
Features not all of them have
High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Sony a7 V✕
- Nikon Z8✓
Where each one wins
Sony a7 V
- Launch price
- Native ISO maximum
- In-body image stabilization
- Weight
- Width
- Height
- Depth
Nikon Z8
- High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Effective pixels
- Sensor type
- Pre-burst capture duration
- Max video resolution
- 4K max frame rate
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Raw video recording
- Viewfinder magnification
- Minimum operating temperature
What both have
- Sensor formatFull-frame
- Continuous shooting (electronic)30 fps
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Log profile support✓
- Viewfinder resolution3.69 M dots
- Screen size3.2 in
- Screen articulationMulti-angle
- Rear screen resolution2.1 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.
| Spec | Sony a7 V | Nikon Z8 |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2025-12 | 2023-05 |
| Launch price | 2,899 USD | 3,999.95 USD |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | No1 | Yes |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 33 MP | 45.7 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | Full-frame |
| Native ISO maximum | 51,200 ISO2 | 25,600 ISO |
| In-body image stabilization | 7.5 stops3 | 5.5 stops4 |
| Sensor readout speed | 15 ms | Not published |
| Sensor type | Partially-stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9 | 3:2, 1:1, 16:9 |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps5 | Not published |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 30 fps6 | 30 fps7 |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | Not published |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 1 s | 300 s8 |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplane | Human, animal, bird, train, airplane, motorcycle, vehicle |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 4K | 8K |
| 4K max frame rate | 119.88 fps9 | 120 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC | H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes RAW, N-RAW |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 60 fps10 | 120 fps |
| Raw video recording | None | Internal |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit |
| Log profile support | Yes | Yes |
| Video dynamic range (log) | Not published | Not published |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 3.69 M dots | 3.69 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78 x11 | 0.8 x |
| Screen size | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Screen articulation | Multi-angle | Multi-angle12 |
| Rear screen resolution | 2.1 M dots | 2.1 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 750 shots13 | Not published |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant | Dust and drip resistant |
| Weight | 695 g | 910 g |
| Width | 130.3 mm | 144 mm |
| Height | 96.4 mm | 118.5 mm |
| Depth | 72.3 mm14 | 83 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum operating temperature | 0 °C | -10 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Full-size |
Notes on 14 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Sony a7 V, High resolution pixel-shift mode: No in-camera pixel shift; Sony's Extended Hi-Res merges burst frames later in its desktop software.
- 2Sony a7 V, Native ISO maximum: Refers to standard still image shooting prior to ISO expansion.
- 3Sony a7 V, In-body image stabilization: Measured at the center with an FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens mounted per CIPA 2024 standards with long exposure NR off.
- 4Nikon 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.
- 5Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (mechanical): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using mechanical shutter in Hi+ mode.
- 6Sony a7 V, Continuous shooting (electronic): Maximum continuous shooting speed achieved using electronic shutter in Hi+ mode.
- 7Nikon Z8, Continuous shooting (electronic): Full-resolution JPEG bursts reach 30 fps; 14-bit RAW bursts top out at 20 fps.
- 8Nikon Z8, Pre-burst capture duration: The 300 s Pre-Release Capture buffer arrived with firmware 2.0; launch firmware allowed 30 s.
- 9Sony a7 V, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 4K frame rate is available in XAVC HS 4K 4:2:0 10-bit mode.
- 10Sony a7 V, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 120p needs an APS-C/Super 35 crop; the full sensor width tops out at 4K 60p.
- 11Sony a7 V, Viewfinder magnification: Measured with a 50mm lens focused at infinity at -1 m⁻¹.
- 12Nikon Z8, Screen articulation: Nikon's 4-axis monitor tilts both vertically and horizontally but does not swing out like a fully articulated screen.
- 13Sony a7 V, Battery life: Measured using the LCD monitor under standard CIPA test conditions.
- 14Sony a7 V, Depth: Overall maximum depth including the viewfinder eyepiece is 82.4 mm.
Image Quality and Resolution
The Nikon Z8 delivers 45.7 MP for finer detail in landscapes and crops. It also includes an in-camera pixel-shift mode for high-resolution merging.
By contrast, the Sony a7 V offers 33 MP alongside a maximum native ISO of 51,200 for stills, giving it an edge in low-light shooting before expansion.
Video Capabilities
For filmmakers, the Nikon Z8 records in 8K and supports internal raw video formats like ProRes RAW and N-RAW. It also reaches 120 fps in 4K across the full sensor width.
The Sony a7 V caps video at 4K resolution and requires an APS-C crop to hit 120 fps, though it shares 10-bit recording and log profiles.
Speed and Autofocus
The Nikon Z8 utilizes a fully stacked CMOS sensor and provides a massive 300-second pre-release capture buffer to grab action before you press the shutter. Its autofocus adds motorcycle and vehicle detection to standard animal and human tracking.
The Sony a7 V uses a partially stacked sensor with a 15 ms readout speed and a 1-second pre-burst duration, adding train and airplane detection to its subject array.
Handling and Portability
The Sony a7 V weighs 695 g and measures 130.3 mm wide, making it significantly lighter and more compact than its rival. It also offers 7.5 stops of image stabilization and a 750-shot battery life using the LCD.
The Nikon Z8 weighs 910 g with a wider 144 mm body, but offers a lower minimum operating temperature of -10 °C for harsh weather.
The Verdict
Buy the Sony a7 V if you want a lighter, more affordable body with strong image stabilization. Buy the Nikon Z8 if you need 8K video, internal raw recording, and higher resolution.
Where to buy
Sony a7 V
Best for Travel and hybrid shooters wanting a lighter, budget-friendly body
Nikon Z8
Best for Pro videographers and landscape photographers needing high resolution
FAQ
Which camera has a mechanical shutter?
The Sony a7 V includes a mechanical shutter supporting speeds up to 8,000 1/s and 10 fps continuous shooting. The Nikon Z8 is electronic-shutter only.
Do both cameras feature full-size HDMI ports?
Yes, both models are equipped with full-size HDMI ports for external monitors and recorders.
What lens mounts do they use?
The Sony a7 V uses the Sony E mount, while the Nikon Z8 uses the Nikon Z mount.
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