Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z6 III – Which one is better?

The Sony A7 IV and Nikon Z6 III are two excellent full-frame mirrorless cameras aimed at hybrid photographers and videographers — each bringing unique strengths to the table.

If you’re deciding between them, the best choice depends on what you shoot and how you shoot. Let’s dive in.

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⚙️ Overview – Resolution & All-round Hybrid vs Speed & Modern Video Hybrid

Sony A7 IV:
A broadly capable hybrid camera with a 33 MP sensor, strong stills and video features, advanced autofocus, and a well-rounded body design. It’s ideal for someone who needs one camera for both high-quality photography and serious video.

Nikon Z6 III:
A more recent model that emphasises speed, video flexibility, and improved sensor design. With a 24.5 MP (approx.) partially-stacked sensor and advanced video specs, it aims to be a versatile all-rounder for stills and video, leaning slightly more into motion work.

In short:

• A7 IV = Higher resolution stills, very capable video, excellent all-rounder.

• Z6 III = Faster sensor read-out, modern video features, strong for hybrid and motion tech.

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📸 Specifications Comparison

Here’s a distilled comparison of major spec details:

Specification	Sony A7 IV	Nikon Z6 III
Release Date	October 2021	June 2024
Camera Type	Full-Frame Mirrorless	Full-Frame Mirrorless
Sensor	33 MP BSI-CMOS full-frame	24.5 MP partially stacked CMOS full-frame
Image Processor	BIONZ XR	EXPEED 7
Lens Mount	Sony E-mount	Nikon Z-mount
ISO Range	Approx. 100–51,200 (expandable)	Approx. 100–64,000 (expandable)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)	Yes (5-axis)	Yes (5-axis)
Autofocus System	Hybrid AF with advanced subject detection	Hybrid AF with enhanced tracking
AF Subject Recognition	People, Animals, Vehicles	People, Animals, Vehicles
Continuous Shooting Speed	Up to ~10 fps	Up to ~20 fps (RAW) / 120 fps (JPG crop)
Video Recording	4K up to 60p	6K up to 60p, 4K up to 120p
Video Bit Depth / Color	10-bit color (via S-Log3)	10-bit with N-Log / ProRes options
Color Profiles	S-Log3, S-Cinetone	N-Log, Flat, Standard
RAW Video Output	Yes (external)	Yes (internal + external support)
Recording Limit	Standard limits (varies by settings)	Extended record times
Viewfinder	Built-in EVF (~3.69M dots)	Built-in EVF (~5.76M dots)
LCD Screen	3.0″ fully articulating touchscreen	3.2″ fully articulating touchscreen
Touch Functions	Full touch support	Full touch support
Product Showcase Mode	No specific mode (photo/video profiles)	No dedicated showcase
Background Defocus Button	No dedicated button	No dedicated button
Body Material	Magnesium alloy framework	Magnesium alloy framework
Weather Sealing	Yes (robust sealing)	Yes (pro-grade sealing)
Audio Options	Mic input, headphone jack	Mic input, headphone jack
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI
Battery Type	NP-FZ100	EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA)	~580–600 shots	~380–450 shots
Dimensions (W × H × D)	~131 × 96 × 80 mm	~138 × 101 × 74 mm
Weight (Body Only)	~658 g	~750 g
Approx. Price (Body Only)	~€1,838 – €1,999	~€2,341 – €2,494

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🧱 Build and Handling

The Sony A7 IV offers a familiar A7-series body with a deep grip, good weather-sealing, fully articulated screen, and plenty of customisation for both stills and video shooters.

The Nikon Z6 III builds on Nikon’s Z-mount system with improved ergonomics, perhaps slightly more modern build, and the benefit of its fast sensor and read-out design. The newer sensor allows for smoother performance and faster data handling, which can translate into better usability especially for video or action work.

👉 Verdict:

• If you prioritise a mature, well-proven body with excellent stills + video balance → A7 IV.

• If you prioritise speed, modern sensor tech, and perhaps slightly more future-proof video capabilities → Z6 III.

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🎯 Autofocus and Performance

Sony has long been a leader in autofocus, and the A7 IV continues that tradition: strong real-time tracking, Eye-AF for humans/animals, good performance across photo and video.

The Nikon Z6 III, thanks to its partially-stacked sensor and updated processing, brings impressive AF and fast read-out, which helps reduce rolling shutter and improve performance in both stills and video.

👉 Verdict:

• A7 IV: Top tier AF for hybrid work.

• Z6 III: Slight edge for speed and modern performance, especially in demanding situations.

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🎥 Video Capabilities

Here’s where differences become more significant.

Sony A7 IV:

• Offers 4K up to 60p in many modes, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording.

• Excellent hybrid shooter video wise, very strong for content creators.

• Some limitations may include crop factors (e.g., at certain 4K 60p modes) and older video features compared to the very newest models.

Nikon Z6 III:

• Offers 6K/60p, oversampled 4K, 4K up to 120p in some modes.

• Sensor read-out and design reduce rolling shutter and improve video quality in motion.

• Strong pick if your workflow leans heavily into video or hybrid with serious video features.

👉 Verdict:

• If your workflow is majorly video or hybrid with advanced video demands → Z6 III has the edge.

• If the video is important but still combined with high-quality stills, and you want one camera that does it all well → A7 IV remains extremely competitive.

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🧠 Image Quality

The A7 IV’s 33 MP sensor gives very good resolution for stills, good dynamic range, and flexibility for cropping or detailed work.

The Z6 III’s ~24.5 MP sensor means slightly lower nominal resolution, but the partially-stacked design offers benefits in read-out speed, video performance, and responsiveness. The trade-off is resolution for speed in certain respects.

👉 Verdict:

• For high-resolution stills where detail and cropping matter → A7 IV.

• For everyday stills + video where speed, responsiveness, modern features matter more than ultra-high resolution → Z6 III.

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🔋 Battery Life and Connectivity

Both cameras come with modern connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, etc.

The Sony A7 IV benefits from the mature ecosystem of Sony and solid hybrid capabilities. The Nikon Z6 III benefits from its modern sensor and read-out speeds for better responsiveness.

Battery life in real-world use will depend a lot on what you’re doing (video vs stills), but if you shoot lots of video or long sessions, the Nikon’s modern sensor efficiency might help.

👉 Verdict:

• Both very capable. If you prioritise smooth workflow, modern features, and faster performance → Z6 III slightly ahead.

• If you prioritise a robust ecosystem, established body design and balance between stills + video → A7 IV very strong.

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💰 Price and Value

Given similar price brackets, the choice becomes what features you value more.

• If cost is a major factor and you want best all-round hybrid value → A7 IV gives you tremendous capabilities for what you pay.

• If you can afford the slightly newer tech and want the speed, video flexibility, and responsiveness → Z6 III offers very compelling value in that space.

👉 Verdict:

• A7 IV: Best value for a hybrid shooter who wants excellent stills + video.

• Z6 III: Best value if you prioritise speed, modern sensor tech, and heavy video/hybrid use.

Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒

📷 Sony A7 IV — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia

📷 Nikon Z6 III — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia

Note: camerafight.com participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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🏁 Final Verdict — Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z6 III

✅ In short:

Choose the Sony A7 IV if you want a well-rounded hybrid that excels in stills, offers great video, and has excellent value.

Choose the Nikon Z6 III if you prioritise modern sensor technology, faster performance, advanced video features, and are willing to lean into the newer system.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

The Sony A7 IV remains one of the best hybrid full-frame cameras around. It gives full-frame quality, excellent autofocus, great video features, and superb value.

The Nikon Z6 III, however, represents a newer wave: with a partially-stacked sensor, modern video features (6K, oversampled 4K, high frame-rates), and very strong hybrid capacity. If you are looking ahead, it’s a terrific option.

If your priority is stills (high resolution, cropping, classic photography) with strong video on the side → A7 IV is a brilliant choice.
If your workflow is heavy on video or you want a camera built for speed, responsiveness and future-proof hybrid work → Z6 III is excellent.

Happy shooting — and if you like, I can pull in lens ecosystem comparisons (Sony vs Nikon Z-mount) too, since that’s often a major practical deciding factor.