• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Nikon Z7

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    731g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z7 advantages over Sony A58

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    26.3 vs 23.3 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 753 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.6 vs 12.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • 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
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Z7
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5200
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z7
Canon T5i
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A58
Nikon Z6
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Sony A58
Canon EOS R
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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