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Nikon Z6III vs Sony a7 IV: which to buy?
Two full-frame hybrids that often end up on the same shortlist. The Nikon Z6III pairs a 24.5MP partially stacked sensor with 6K/60p internal raw video, an 8-stop in-body VR and a 5.76M-dot viewfinder; the Sony a7 IV has more resolution at 33MP, longer CIPA battery life and a lighter body.
Why it exists. This page is for someone choosing a full-frame hybrid body who wants to know whether the Z6III's faster sensor readout, 6K raw video, stronger stabilization and brighter, sharper viewfinder matter more than the a7 IV's 33MP resolution, battery life and lower weight.
Side-by-side specs
| Nikon Z6III | Sony a7 IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame partially stacked CMOS; EXPEED 7 | 33MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; BIONZ XR |
| Fastest bursts | Up to 20 fps RAW or 60 fps JPEG at full resolution; 120 fps only at 10.6MP JPEG | Up to 10 fps (Hi+) |
| Video | 6K/60p internal N-RAW; 4K up to 120p (1.5x crop) | 4K/60p (Super 35 crop); full-frame 4K up to 30p |
| Stabilization | In-body, 8.0 stops | In-body, 5.5 stops (CIPA) |
| Viewfinder | 5.76M dots, up to 4,000 cd/m² | 3.69M dots, 0.78x |
| Screen | 3.2in vari-angle, about 2.1M dots | 3.0in fully articulating, 1.04M dots |
| Card slots | CFexpress Type B / XQD + SD (UHS-II) | CFexpress Type A / SD (UHS-II) + SD (UHS-II) |
| Battery, screen (CIPA) | About 410 shots (energy saving on) | About 580 shots |
| Battery, viewfinder (CIPA) | About 380 shots (energy saving on) | About 520 shots |
| Weight | About 760 g with battery and card | About 658 g with battery and card |
Specs from our Z6III and a7 IV reviews, Nikon's Z6III specifications and the Sony a7 IV Help Guide (specifications, battery life). Battery figures are compared on the same basis: screen against screen, viewfinder against viewfinder. ✓ = advantage; blank = tie or not directly comparable.
Sample photos
Three photos taken with the Z6III and six with the a7 IV, shared on Wikimedia Commons under open licenses, including the two at the top.
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Who should buy which
Get the Z6III if
- You shoot video and want 6K/60p internal raw and 4K up to 120p.
- You want the stronger 8-stop in-body VR and the 5.76M-dot viewfinder.
- You shoot action and want faster bursts from the partially stacked sensor.
Get the a7 IV if
- You want more resolution: 33MP vs 24.5MP.
- You want longer battery life: about 580 vs 410 shots on the screen.
- You want the lighter body: about 658 g vs 760 g with battery and card.
See our full Z6III and a7 IV reviews, and the a7 V vs Z6III and a7 V vs a7 IV comparisons.
Where to buy
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Further discussion
- FM Forums: Sony A7RV or Sony A7IV for Sports Photography (indirect: an A7RV vs A7IV thread with only a Z6III mention; 47 posts by 27 authors)
- FM Forums: Official Z6 III Thread (indirect: a Z6III owners' thread, not a head-to-head with the a7 IV; 885 posts by 122 authors)
- FM Forums: Speculation on stacked BSI sensor (indirect: Sony users speculating on a future sensor in reaction to the Z6III, not an a7 IV comparison; 134 posts by 35 authors)