Nikon Z6 has a
24.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Expeed 6 processor. On the other hand, Sony A7 IV has a
33.0MP Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz XR processor.
Sony A7 IV's sensor provides 9MP more than Nikon Z6's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Sony A7 IV's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the Z6 and A7 IV sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon Z6 and Sony A7 IV Cameras
Nikon Z6 and Sony A7 IV have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Nikon Z6 and Sony A7 IV sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that A7 IV has a better overall score of 97, 2 points higher compared to Z6's score of 95.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon Z6
95
25.3 bits
14.3 Evs
3299 ISO
Sony A7 IV
97
25.4 bits
14.7 Evs
3379 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon Z6
or the
Sony A7 IV ,
including hyperfocal distance.
