Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Nikon - Z f | Sony - α7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| AF points | 299 | 759 |
| Weight | 710 g | 658 g |
| Megapixels | 24 MP | 33 MP |
Between the Z f and α7 IV, the Z f comes out ahead in several specs, while the α7 IV wins on af points / weight. Overall, the Z f scores 64.3 and the α7 IV scores 70.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The α7 IV edges ahead on the Mars Score (64.3 vs 70.4), but the 6.1-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
The Z f does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the α7 IV if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are af points, weight, megapixels. The single most decisive one: AF points — 153.85% more. 759 vs 299.
Both ship with comparable sensor size, max video, in-body stabilization, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the α7 IV is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Nikon - Z f or Sony - α7 IV?
Sony - α7 IV leads the current Mars Score by 6.1 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare megapixels, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Nikon - Z f if…
Nikon - Z f does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Sony - α7 IV if…
Sony - α7 IV has the measurable edge on af points, weight g, megapixels.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Nikon - Z f wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sony - α7 IV wins
- ▲AF points — 153.85% more. 759 vs 299.
- ▲Weight — 52.00 g less. 658 vs 710.
- ▲Megapixels — 37.50% more. 33 MP vs 24 MP.
Spec comparison
Sensor
| Spec | Nikon - Z f | Sony - α7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor sizeⓘ | Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Megapixels | 24 MP | 33 MPlead |
| Max ISO | 64000lead | 51200 |
Video
| Spec | Nikon - Z f | Sony - α7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K60 |
| RAW video | false | false |
| Log profileⓘ | true | true |
Autofocus
| Spec | Nikon - Z f | Sony - α7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| AF pointsⓘ | 299 | 759lead |
| Eye AFⓘ | true | true |
| In-body stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Body & Controls
| Spec | Nikon - Z f | Sony - α7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 710 g | 658 glead |
| Weather sealedⓘ | true | true |
| Dual card slotsⓘ | false | truelead |