Sony A7R III vs Nikon Z6

Side-by-side specs, features and our lab-measured performance for the Sony A7R III and the Nikon Z6.

Sony A7R III

Compact System Camera · Released 2017 · 42.4 MP · 35mm

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Nikon Z6

Compact System Camera · Released 2018 · 24.5 MP · 35mm

Read our review Compare with another camera

Compare their image quality Open both cameras in the Comparometer: the same studio scenes, at every ISO, side by side.

Key differences

Why pick the Sony A7R III

More resolution: 42.4 MP vs 24.5 MP
Higher DxOMark sensor score: 100 vs 95
Lighter: 657 g vs 1,175 g
More shots per charge (CIPA): 530 shots vs 310 shots
Dual card slots

Why pick the Nikon Z6

Higher native ISO ceiling: ISO 51,200 vs ISO 32,000
Faster continuous shooting: 12 fps vs 9.9 fps
Deeper RAW buffer: 35 frames vs 30 frames
Faster autofocus shutter lag (lab tested): 0.21s vs 0.25s
Starts up faster (lab tested): 1.5s vs 1.7s
Bigger screen: 3.2 in vs 3 in
Sharper screen: 2,100,000 dots vs 1,440,000 dots
Built-in intervalometer
Costs less (street price when tested): $1,396 vs $2,498
Newer model (2018 vs 2017)

Worked out from the spec sheets and our lab measurements. Image quality, handling and autofocus tracking are judged in the reviews.

Full specifications

Show differences only

Specification	Sony A7R III	Nikon Z6
Overview
Camera Format	Compact System Camera	Compact System Camera
Date Available	2017-11-30	2018-11-16
Currently Manufactured	Yes	Yes
Retail Price	$3200.00	$1999.95
Street Price	$2,498.00	$1,395.98
Weight	23.2 oz (657 g) includes batteries	41.4 oz (1,175 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size	5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9 in. (127 x 96 x 74 mm)	5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7 in. (134 x 101 x 68 mm)
Waterproof	No	No
Predecessor	Sony A7R II	–
Successor	Sony A7R IV	–
Sensor
Effective Megapixels	42.4	24.5
Sensor Format	35mm	35mm
Sensor size	861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)	858.01mm2 (35.90mm x 23.90mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer	Sony	–
Approximate Pixel Pitch	4.51 microns	5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier	1.0x	1.0x
Aspect Ratio	3:2	3:2
Anti Aliasing Filter	None	Fixed
Sensor shift image stabilization	Yes	Yes
Self-Cleaning	Yes	Yes
Image Resolution	7952 x 5304 (42.2 MP, 3:2), 5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2), 3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2), 7952 x 4472 (35.6 MP, 16:9), 5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other), 3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9), 5168 x 3448 (17.8 MP, 3:2), 3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2), 2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2), 5168 x 2912 (15.0 MP, Other), 3984 x 2240 (8.9 MP, 16:9), 2592 x 1456 (3.8 MP, 16:9)	6048 x 4024 (24.3 MP, 3:2), 4528 x 3016 (13.7 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2), 4016 x 4016 (16.1 MP, 1:1), 3008 x 3008 (9.0 MP, 1:1), 2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1), 6048 x 3400 (20.6 MP, 16:9), 4528 x 2544 (11.5 MP, 16:9), 3024 x 1696 (5.1 MP, 16:9), 3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 4128 x 2320 (9.6 MP, 16:9), 3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 2944 x 1968 (5.8 MP, 3:2), 1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format	JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	JPEG (EXIF 2.31), NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression); TIFF
RAW Capture Support	Yes	Yes
Sensor scores (DxOMark)
DxO Sensor Score	100	95
DxO Color Depth Score (bits)	26.0	25.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs)	14.7	14.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso)	3,523	3,299
Autofocus
Auto Focus Type	Fast Hybrid 4D AF with 399 focal plane phase-detect points and 425 contrast-detect AF points; Wide (399 points (phase-detection AF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) /Expanded Flexible Spot/ Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF	Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF; 273 (single-point AF); Pinpoint, single-point and dynamic-area AF (pinpoint and dynamic-area AF available in photo mode only); wide-area AF (S); wide-area AF (L); auto-area AF; Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C); full-time AF (AF-F; available only in movie mode); predictive focus tracking; Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used; Touch AF and Touch Shutter supported.
On-Sensor Phase Detect	Yes	Yes
Focus Peaking	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Speed (Imaging Resource lab tests)
Continuous-mode frames/second	9.9	12.0
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution)	9.9	12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution)	82	47
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps)	9.2	12.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames)	30	35
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid)	0.25 seconds	0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused)	0.023 seconds	0.056 seconds
Startup Time	1.7 seconds	1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time	1.4 seconds	0.7 seconds
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution)	–	0.39
Viewfinder and screen
Viewfinder	EVF / LCD	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type	EVF: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) 3,686K-dot Quad VGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0m-1 diopter, Approx. 23mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens, 18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1, eye sensor	EVF: 1.27-cm/0.5-in., approx. 3690k-dot (Quad VGA) OLED with color balance and auto and 11-level manual brightness controls, 100% coverage, 0.8x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 diopter, eye sensor
EVF Resolution	3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels)	3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent)	0.78x	0.80x
Rear Display Size (inches)	3.0	3.2
Rear Display Resolution	1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)	2,100,000 dots
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Articulating Screen	Yes	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen	No	No
Selfie Screen	No	No
Top Deck Display	No	Yes
Exposure
Minimum ISO (native)	100	100
Maximum ISO (native)	32000	51200
ISO Settings	AUTO (ISO 100-12800; selectable lower limit and upper limit), ISO 100 - 32000, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400	Auto, 100 - 51,200 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1 and up to 204,800 in Hi-2
Shutter Speed Range	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes	1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot	Matrix, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus point), Highlight-weighted
White Balance Settings	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater	Auto (3), Natural Light Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (6), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available.
Time Lapse (intervalometer)	No	Yes
High Resolution Composite	42.4 megapixels	No
Self Timer	2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds	2/5/10/20 seconds
Creative Exposure Modes	3 Custom Settings; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)	3 User Settings (U1, U2, U3); HDR, Multiple Exposure (Add, average, lighten, darken)
Video
Can take movies	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution	3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p) 1920x1080 (120p/100p/60p/60i/50p/50i/30p/25p/24p)	3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p) 1920x1080 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p) 1920x1080 (120p/100p)
Movie File Format	XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo	MOV/MP4 (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM/AAC audio)
HD Video Out	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection	HDMI	HDMI
Microphone Jack	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack	Yes	Yes
Lens
Lens Mount	Sony E	Nikon Z
Lens	–	Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S
Focal Length (35mm equivalent)	–	24 - 70mm
Focal Length (actual)	–	24 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio	–	2.92x
Aperture Range	–	f/4 - f/22; 7-blade rounded diaphragm
Optical Image Stabilization	No	No
Filter Thread	–	72.0mm
Digital Zoom	Yes	Yes
Flash
Built-in Flash	No	No
Max Flash Sync	1/250	1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	-3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection	Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal	ISO-type hotshoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control	No	No
Storage and connectivity
Usable Memory Types	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC	XQD
UHS Support	UHS-II	–
Dual Card Slots	Yes	No
Built-In Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	No
Built-In GPS	No	No
External Connections	USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi	USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
Remote Control	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type	Optional via RM-VPR1, USB or Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or optional wired or wireless
Battery
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF)	530 shots	310 shots
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types	NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable	EN-EL15b/EN-EL15a/EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Internal Charging Supported	Yes	Yes
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter)	Yes	Yes
Other
Alternate Model Number(s)	ILCE-7RM3	Z 6
Tripod Mount	Yes	Yes
Color Filter Type	RGBG	RGBG
Composite Video Out	No	No
Integrated ND Filter	No	–
Digital Zoom Values	Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom	1.5x (DX), 5:4, 1:1, 16:9 crop modes
Auto Focus	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed)	0.78x	0.80x
Eye-level Viewfinder	Yes	Yes
Rear Display	Yes	Yes
Auto ISO Mode	Yes	Yes
Program Auto Exposure	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure	Yes	Yes
Flash Modes	Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off	Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Other Memory	Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I	–
Uncompressed Format	RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG	NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression); TIFF
Included Memory	No memory included	No memory included
PictBridge Compliant	No	Yes
DPOF Compliant	Yes	Yes
Connections (extended)	USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1), Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, Microphone and Headphone jacks	Mini (Type C) HDMI, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C (SuperSpeed USB), 10-pin Expansion Terminal, Stereo Mic Jack (3.5mm, plug-in power provided), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm)
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	No
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps)	9.1	12.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames)	30	29
Shutter Lag (manual focus)	0.105 seconds	0.058 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes)	Silent Shooting Mode: Full AF lag = 0.368s, Manual focus = 0.258s, Prefocus = 0.123s	Shutter lag results are with Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS) enabled.
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View)	650 shots	380 shots
Battery Life, Video	100 minutes	85 minutes
Batteries Included	1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary EN-EL15b Lithium-ion rechargeable
Dedicated Battery Charger Included	Yes	Yes
Included Software	Capture One Express (for Sony) free download	–
Normal Focus Range	–	30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity
Max Playback Zoom	–	24.0x
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot)	–	0.42

Highlighted cells mark the better figure where one is clearly better. Timings and buffer depths come from our lab tests; DxOMark scores are DxOMark's own.