Sony Alpha A7 III vs Nikon Z5
Sony Alpha A7 III has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A7 III is the better pick for portraits; the Z5 is better for beginners.
Choose the Alpha A7 III for
- faster bursts (10fps vs 4.5fps)
- a lighter body (650g vs 675g)
- a lower price (from £339)
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 54)
Choose the Z5 for
- a newer design (2020)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A7 III | Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24MP | Full frame, 24MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | Nikon Z |
| Released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Burst | 10 fps | 4.5 fps |
| Readout | ≈65 ms | — |
| Max ISO | 51,200 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 4K 30p | 4K 30p (crop) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 650 g | 675 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Nikon EN-EL15c |
| Card slots | 2× SD (UHS-II) | 2× SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | No longer sold new | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £339–904 | £509–574 |
| Native lenses in our database | 105 (82 third-party) | 54 (31 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | Z5 |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | Alpha A7 III |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | About equal |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The Alpha A7 III uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the Z5 uses Nikon Z (54 lenses, 31 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Nikon EN-EL15c (about £51).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A7 III better than the Nikon Z5?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A7 III offers faster bursts (10fps vs 4.5fps), a lighter body (650g vs 675g), a lower price (from £339); the Z5 offers a newer design (2020).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A7 III or the Z5?
They are closely matched for video (4K 30p vs 4K 30p (crop)); stabilisation and lens choice will decide it.
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A7 III or the Z5?
The Alpha A7 III costs No longer sold new new and from £339 used at MPB; the Z5 costs No longer sold new new and from £509 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A7 III lenses on the Z5?
Not directly. The Alpha A7 III uses Sony E / FE and the Z5 uses Nikon Z; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.