Z5vs A7 IV
VS
Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the z5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history