It is probably the time to upgrade your camera, and the Sony Alpha 7R III Vs Nikon Z7 looks very attractive. These cameras are excellent upgrades if your older gear is limiting your performance. They are two examples of balanced cameras that you can use for photography and recording videos. They also have different strong points that may affect your decision. Before buying any of the two, let’s see what they can offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- When to Buy a New Camera
- What are Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- How are the Designs of Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- How are the Specs of Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- How are the Image Qualities of Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- How are the AF Performances of Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- How are the Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 for Recording Video
- How are the Experiences with Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
- Sony Alpha 7R III Vs Nikon Z7
Upgrading a Camera
We have many questions about cameras, such as when to upgrade to a newer system, buy a separate gear, or as simple as choosing the camera to buy. The camera is your tool, and different tools do different jobs, so it is very subjective to your application. When concerned about whether to upgrade a camera or buy a better lens, you need to consider whether the camera limits your application. If your camera is doing fine for your purpose, a good lens is a better investment.
Nowadays, we can use different lenses with different cameras using an adapter, and a good lens will last for as long as it still works while the camera’s system is quickly updated. Even a year difference such as Sony Alpha 7R III Vs a7III produces quite a difference in performance. On the other hand, if you feel the camera is limiting your performance or your final results, then it is wise to get a newer one. For example, cameras with small sensors have a disadvantage in low light.
If your line of work or hobby requires taking photos or videos in low-light conditions, such as concerts or wildlife, a full-frame can be a great choice. The large sensor can perform better even in dim conditions, and we can still trust the high ISO level, so your clients don’t have to complain about excessive noise in your photos. We can also do upgrades through the other gears, such as audio quality, using an external recorder if your camera doesn’t have an external mic input.
| Sony Alpha 7R III | Nikon Z7 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 5 x 3.87 x 3 inches | 5.3 x 2.7 x 4 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.45 pounds | 1.29 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7
Of course, you can also buy the expensive, latest professional camera and the most anticipated lens at the same time. Both professionals and hobbyists can reward themselves with the gear that they want. After all, the budget limits us most of the time, so we need to think carefully about which will benefit us most in the long term. There are many good cameras, and all can take beautiful photos, but not every single model will fulfill your preferences.
For those buying their first camera or upgrading, it is wise to consider what you will need from the camera and start selecting among the models that fall into the specifications or budget range. If you are a user who takes photos and records videos, hybrid models like Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 are two exciting models to consider. These cameras are some of the most popular models in the last few years. The 7R III is an older system, so expect to see some common features gap.
The best thing about a camera that has been several years in the market is cost reduction because they are noticeably cheaper now. However, the Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 are full-frame models, so they will not cost less than $2,000 in new condition, at least for now. Full-frame cameras with relatively high pixels are usually not marketed for a videographer. Still, the two produce good video quality and are useful if you also plan to use them for motion recording.
There are also some noticeable differences between Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7. For the image quality and still photography in general, the 7R III is a considerably better choice because it arguably produces better pictures. On the other hand, we think the Z7 is more suitable if you are more serious about the video part. While not built in the camera, we can get a 10-bit recording when hooking it up to an external recorder or use the flat profile for better performance in post-processing.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 Design
The camera’s form factor and overall design or layout may not affect image quality, but it plays on the user experience. The Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 are compact mirrorless cameras that will fit most people whether you only shoot pictures inside the city or travel to different continents. The form factor is almost identical, but the grip is different. The depth is similar, yet the A7 has a chunkier grip that arguably feels better to hold even with larger glass.
The a7R III is thinner, so the tips of your fingers will go into the space between the grip and lens. Depending on the lens size, it can be a bit uncomfortable or not an issue. The controls and dials are excellent, but the interface is better on Nikon Z7. We want to complain about the design because none of them have a rotating rear display, which is a bit disappointing nowadays. The a7R III also has an aging 1.4M dots display, while Z7 is slightly better at 2.1M dots.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 Specs
Next, let’s check the basic specs of Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 to see what they can offer. Both are high pixel full-frame sensor mirrorless cameras. They are perfect solutions for users who will blow up the size of their prints or need a camera that can capture incredible details when you crop the image. The effective pixel is the same or 42MP and expandable ISO up to 102,400. These cameras also have in-body image stabilization to improve handheld mode.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 Image Quality
Image quality is probably the most crucial point if you primarily use these cameras for shooting stills. Both Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 are good, and most people will love them, depending on the application. We like Z7 very low ISO 64 when you want the highest dynamic range, and it is still excellent at higher ISOs. The drawback was the lack of multi-shot, but Nikon already gave this ability through firmware updates. The reason why we rely on a7R III is that it has less noise at high ISO levels.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 AF Performance
Besides image quality, you will need to know the AF performance of these cameras. Autofocus is crucial when you are shooting moving objects. The modern AF system is implemented on the sensor and processor, so newer cameras are usually better in AF performance. But, it is not the case with Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 because Sony has better tracking performance, especially for face and eye detection. The Z7 is very reliable, but you will get a lower hit rate than Sony a7R III.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 for Video
Because many people may also want to record video with their camera, you may want to know how Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 keep up with this demand. They can record 4K, easily oversampling it from the sensor and pixel counts. We like the Nikon Z7 better because a7R III lacks built-in professional features such as 10-bit recording, as a7R III is stuck to 8-bit even with an external recorder. The video autofocus is also better than its stills to keep your subject in focus.
What to note is that, like many older cameras, both can only record 4K up to 30 minutes. Recording 4K videos quickly fill up memory card space depending on how long you record or the resolution. The a7R III has two memory card slots to ensure a streamlined recording; the Z7 only has one.
Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 Experience
Lastly, for the overall experience, these cameras are impressive and worth the investment if you are looking for a full-frame high-res camera. The lens collections for both mounts are also abundant on the budget and in high-end options to meet your needs and preferences. We are impressed by the battery of the a7R III because it is very long-lasting than many other cameras in this price range, including Z7. If you often go a whole day for shooting, the NP-FZ100 will keep up well.
In addition, the EVF needs to be a bit further from the body for some people with a pointy nose, so our nose doesn’t touch the screen. The Z7 has a great clearance for most people to prevent touching and activating unnecessary features or accidentally changing the autofocus.
Sony Alpha 7R III Vs Nikon Z7
Both Sony Alpha 7R III and Nikon Z7 are good cameras, especially if you take professional photos and require the full-frame high pixels on them. They have some notable differences, but most are very similar. The image quality is slightly better on a7R III when using high ISO levels. The handling and videography features are better on Z7, but the AF performance is better on a7R III. The overall system is also better on a7R III as it has two card slots and a bigger battery.
Conclusion
The decision is yours and depends on what is most important to you. We recommend the Nikon Z7 if you will be doing a lot of video recording because we can get 10 bits with external help. But, if you want the better image quality and need the best AF system, we will recommend the a7R III. Moreover, it has a bigger battery that goes almost twice as long as the Z7.