Z5vs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — 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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £349 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Architecture | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history