Sony A7S vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7S vs Nikon Z6

35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S.
Compare Sony A7S image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7S II
Compare A7S vs A7S II
Compare Sony A7S II vs Nikon Z6

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Differences

Sony A7S advantages over Nikon Z6

Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 5.94 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7S test data on DxO Mark Z6 test data on DxO Mark

3,702 vs 3,299 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
48 mm vs 67 mm
Thinner
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon Z6 advantages over Sony A7S

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.5 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7S

Sony a7S

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Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

Review Excerpt

Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.
4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7S Review

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A7S

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$7999
35mm

Thinner
More pixels

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Nikon Z6

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1797
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$7999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7S II

Nikon Z6

Sony A7S II

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$2398
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7S II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Nikon Z6

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4995
35mm

Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7S

Sony A7 III

$1998
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Sony A7S

Canon EOS R

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

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