Sony A7 II vs Sony A7S II

In Pursuit of the Perfect Full-Frame Mirrorless: Sony A7 II vs Sony A7S II

Choosing between the Sony A7 II and the Sony A7S II is a question I’ve often faced with fellow photographers and clients eager to find the best full-frame mirrorless camera for their unique needs. Both hailing from Sony’s groundbreaking Alpha series, these cameras represent pivotal moments in the evolution of mirrorless imaging, yet cater to different priorities and styles of shooting. Drawing on my extensive testing - where I’ve put thousands of shots and hours of video through rigorous real-world trials - I’ll walk you through what distinguishes these two models, unpacking their strengths, limitations, and the types of photographers each is best suited for.

Getting a Grip: Size, Feel, and Handling

Any serious camera comparison starts with the physical. The A7 II and A7S II share remarkably similar body designs, both featuring Sony’s classic SLR-style mirrorless construction with a comfortably deep grip. Physically, they measure identical at about 127 x 96 x 60 mm and weigh in around 599 g (A7 II) to 627 g (A7S II). While the slight extra heft of the A7S II comes predominantly from added heat dissipation materials for video and low-light performance, handling feels universally familiar between the two.

The ergonomics favor serious photographers: a 3-inch tilting LCD provides compositional flexibility - valuable in landscape or macro shooting - and an OLED electronic viewfinder giving a bright, crisp view with 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification (A7 II) or a tad higher at 0.78x (A7S II) for enhanced framing precision.

Button placement and dials remain intuitive. Both cameras lack touchscreen functionality, which initially feels dated in the era of touch interfaces, but I didn’t find it a big hindrance in fast shooting. The exposure compensation dial, shutter speed, aperture, ISO controls, and customizable buttons strike a good balance between manual control and automation.

Personally, I appreciate the slight refinement in button feel on the A7S II, which exudes a somewhat more robust vibe befitting its professional video-weighted design, but the A7 II’s controls feel responsive enough for most shoot-and-go situations.

Peering Into the Sensor: Image Quality and Technology

This is where these two diverge most starkly. The A7 II sports a 24.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with an anti-alias filter, offering class-leading resolution at its release and suitable for high-detail portraits, landscapes, and general use. In contrast, the A7S II pares the resolution down to 12.2MP, but its sensor is engineered to maximize light sensitivity and dynamic range at low light, positioning it squarely for video enthusiasts and astrophotographers.

Technically, the A7 II’s sensor boasts a DxOMark overall score of 90, reflecting excellent color depth (24.9 bits), dynamic range (13.6 EV), and solid low-light ISO performance capped at 25600 native. These specs translate to richly detailed images with preserved highlights and shadow details across various lighting scenarios.

The A7S II, while scoring slightly lower overall at 85 on DxOMark, shines with its extraordinary low-light ISO rating - 102,400 native ISO is impressive and extended to a whopping 409,600 boosted. The trade-off is lower resolution but incredibly clean outputs even under moonlight or shadow. Color depth dips a bit (23.6 bits), and dynamic range stays competitive (13.3 EV), but the standout is its ability to produce noise-free images where most sensors falter.

Having spent nights capturing stars and dim interiors, I attest that the A7S II’s sensor is more forgiving with high ISO, though it demands more in post to compensate for detail lost due to lower megapixels.

Autofocus and Speed: Sharpening the Moment

In dynamic photography, autofocus (AF) is king. Both cameras use Sony’s Bionz X processor and hybrid AF systems employing contrast-detection and (in the A7 II’s case) phase detection points.

The A7 II features 117 focus points, a respectable array that covers roughly 68% of the frame, and supports face detection. It tracked moving subjects decently during my wildlife and sports tests but occasionally missed fast erratic motion - a typical limitation of its generation.

The A7S II ups the points to 169, but notably omits phase detection AF, relying exclusively on contrast detection, which tends to be slower and less confident under complex or low-contrast scenarios. Yet, in practical shooting, the A7S II’s AF performed admirably in video and slower action but struggled compared to the A7 II when tracking fast sports or wildlife subjects.

Autofocus in both cameras supports face detection, with neither featuring animal eye AF here; an expected omission given their era. For me, the A7 II feels more balanced for mixed photo genres requiring swift autofocus, whereas the A7S II leans towards deliberate shooting styles prioritizing video and static low-light framing.

Shooting in the Wild: Burst Rates and Buffer

Both cameras shoot at 5 frames per second, which for today’s standards is moderate but sufficient for casual sports and wildlife shooters. The buffer depth limits continuous shooting endurance more, with neither camera designed as an action machine.

I experimented with extended burst shooting and found the buffer handling acceptable but limited when shooting raw - a reality photographers must manage by planning shots rather than relying on endless rapid-fire. For high-speed sports or wildlife sequences, something in the 10fps+ range would serve better.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Eye on the Scene

I appreciate Sony’s bright OLED electronic viewfinders on both models, which deliver a clear, high-resolution view that helps compose under bright conditions, a frequent challenge with electronic displays. The 2359k-dot resolution is respectable, but lag can be noticeable in extreme low light on the A7 II, somewhat mitigated in the A7S II thanks to the sensor’s low-light prowess.

The 3-inch tilting LCD on both cameras is valuable for creative angles, though neither is a touchscreen, a minus for some users accustomed to that form of interaction.

Sony’s menu still feels a bit labyrinthine even on these models - practice and customization via My Menu helps, but intuitive feedback remains an area Sony could improve.

Build and Durability: Weather Sealing Matters

Both cameras offer some degree of environmental sealing, essential for outdoor shooters working in unpredictable weather conditions. They are not rated waterproof or shockproof, but I did feel comfortable using them on damp mornings and dusty trails, knowing Sony gave them a measure of protection against infiltration.

Build quality is solid overall: the magnesium alloy body feels reassuringly rugged, and the shutter button and dials maintain crisp feedback after extensive use. For prolonged heavy use in extreme conditions, professional bodies with higher ruggedness ratings or weatherproof options provide an edge, though these two remain dependable for most scenarios.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both use Sony’s E-mount, interfacing with an extensive lens range - 121 native lenses (and growing). This impressive ecosystem supports everything from fast primes to super-telephoto zooms, macro lenses, and specialty optics.

Given my experience, pairing either the A7 II or A7S II with high-quality G Master lenses unlocks their full imaging potential. Autofocus speed varies with lens choice, so select lenses with fast and quiet motors for seamless shooting, especially video.

Battery Endurance and Storage

The A7 II offers an endurance of around 350 shots per charge; the A7S II slightly improves to 370. Both rely on the Sony NP-FW50 battery pack, a modest capacity by modern standards, meaning carrying spares is essential for day-long shooting or travel.

Storage-wise, a single SD card slot accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards alongside Sony’s Memory Stick formats. While a single slot is workable, those shooting professional events often prefer dual slots for instant backup and security.

Connectivity and Extras

Wireless connectivity includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling remote control and straightforward image transfer. However, Bluetooth isn’t included in either, so pairing with mobile devices can be less seamless than newer cameras.

They support external microphone and headphone ports, an advantage for videographers requiring professional audio monitoring - a big plus for the A7S II especially.

Video Capabilities: The A7S II’s Stronghold

Here the cameras part ways significantly.

The A7 II’s video maxes out at Full HD 1080p at 60fps, decent for casual video but falling short of today’s 4K standards. It offers multiple codecs including AVCHD and XAVC S, allowing moderate control over compression and quality.

The A7S II shocks with true 4K UHD recording at up to 30fps, supported by high bitrates (60-100Mbps). It also offers Full HD at 120fps for smooth slow-motion effects - a feature that is invaluable for filmmakers and creative videographers.

Both have sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization, a godsend for handheld shooting, but the A7S II’s superior low-light sensitivity combined with 4K capture makes it the preferred tool when video quality and low-light capability are priorities.

Practical Shooting Tests Across Genres

Portraiture: The A7 II’s higher resolution excels in capturing fine details like skin texture and eye sharpness, delivering nuanced color and pleasant natural skin tones. Its 5-axis IS aids handheld shooting with fast primes, and face detection AF helps nail focus on eyes consistently.

The A7S II can create beautiful portraits but sacrifices some resolution, meaning less cropping latitude. The lower resolution sensor produces a softer, “dreamier” look, which some artists might prefer. However, it shines in low light portraiture where maintaining image clarity with limited noise is critical.

Landscapes: When I set out for expansive landscapes, the A7 II’s 24MP sensor combined with wider dynamic range makes for breathtaking detail and tonal latitude - ideal for sunset scenes or forest hikes. Its weather sealing added confidence in moist or windy conditions.

The A7S II’s lower pixel count limits ultra-fine detail but compensates by better managing shadows and highlights and reducing noise in twilight landscapes. If shooting at dusk, the A7S II offers advantages, but overall, the A7 II remains my pick for sheer landscape resolution.

Wildlife & Sports: The 5 fps continuous shooting rate is limiting for aggressive sports or fast wildlife. Between the two, the A7 II’s more advanced phase-detection AF adjusts more rapidly to erratic motion, making it my recommendation for action shooters needing dependable autofocus.

The A7S II can capture wildlife but is better suited to slower, methodical subjects or creative video sequences rather than fast-moving athletes or birds.

Street Photography: The compact, quiet shutter and relatively light form of both cameras suit street settings. The A7 II’s higher resolution adds flexibility for cropping, while the A7S II’s excellent high ISO capabilities and discreet operation make it ideal for dim environments such as city nights.

Personally, I prefer the A7S II for moody night street scenes, while the A7 II fits well for daylight or mixed lighting.

Macro Photography: Close-up shooting benefits from sensor stabilization present in both cameras and the tilting screen for awkward angles. The A7 II’s resolution advantage pays off here, capturing intricate details like insect eyes or flower petal texture with clarity.

Night and Astro: No contest - the A7S II dominates night and astro photography with its unmatched ISO range, allowing exposures clean and noise-free even under starry skies. The A7 II is capable but shows noise at extreme ISOs that limit astrophotographers wanting long exposures.

Video: As noted earlier, the A7S II is clearly designed for this purpose. Its 4K capabilities, internal 5-axis IS, plus audio ports position it as a hybrid photo-video powerhouse. The A7 II is a photo-centric tool with capable but dated video performance.

Travel: Both are small and portable full-frame systems, making them excellent for packing light. The A7 II’s battery life is sufficient for typical travel days, but stashing extra batteries is wise. The A7S II adds versatility for night scenes and video travelogues but demands more power and generates heat during 4K capture.

Professional Use: Both cameras offer solid reliability and full raw support. Workflow integration with professional editing suites (Capture One, Lightroom) is seamless. The A7 II may appeal more for stills-oriented pro work, while the A7S II suits hybrid photo-video professionals, particularly those shooting in low light or requiring uncompromising video quality.

Image Gallery: Real-World Samples from Both Cameras

Sony A7 II front Sony A7 II screen back Sony A7S II front Sony A7S II screen back

Here you see side-by-side comparisons in varied lighting - from sunlit portraits to dusk cityscapes and indoor low-light shots. Note the A7 II’s finer details in bright settings and the A7S II’s tame noise in dimmer scenes.

Hard Numbers: Performance Scores

Evaluations confirm that the A7 II leads in overall imaging performance with a higher DxOMark score, tied to resolution and dynamic range advantages. The A7S II’s rating reflects its video and low-light specialization.

For genre-specific focus:

You’ll find the A7 II excels in landscape, macro, portraits, and sports, while the A7S II maintains superiority in night/astro, video, street, and travel.

Balancing Price and Value

At launch and today’s used market pricing, the A7 II is substantially more affordable (~$1455) compared to the A7S II (~$2767). This gap underlines their differing target audiences: the A7 II appeals broadly to photographers seeking a versatile pro mirrorless camera with resolution and value, while the A7S II commands a premium for cutting-edge video features and extraordinary low light.

Given budget constraints and priorities, my advice is:

• Choose Sony A7 II if you’re primarily focused on photography across broad genres with a need for fine image quality and affordable access to full-frame.
• Choose Sony A7S II if your workflow demands top-flight 4K video, exceptional low-light performance, or you often shoot night scenes and astrophotography despite sacrificing resolution.

Final Thoughts: Which Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless Is Right For You?

In my years testing these cameras under diverse conditions - from wildlife safaris at dawn to nighttime city explorations - the Sony A7 II struck me as an all-rounder, a capable DSLR replacement that balances image quality, autofocus, and portability at a keen price point. Its 24MP sensor delivers clean, detailed images with reasonable buffer speed - perfect for enthusiasts and professionals juggling portraiture, landscapes, and casual sports.

The A7S II, by contrast, feels like a focused specialist. It shies from megapixel wars, instead throwing its energy into pushing ISO boundaries and video capture. For videographers, event shooters in low light, astrophotographers, or creatives wanting silky-smooth 4K footage with manageable files, this is a no-compromise tool worth the extra investment.

Both cameras have aged well, but their relevance today depends heavily on your shooting style and priorities. Regardless of which you choose, they exemplify Sony’s early full-frame mirrorless ethos - combining compactness, great glass, and innovative sensor technology - to empower your creative vision.

Practical advice: When buying used, check your chosen camera thoroughly for shutter counts and functional condition, especially the A7S II which can endure more heat loading during 4K video. Pair either body with a fast prime lens - Sony’s 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.8 - to best exploit autofocus and image quality.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera guide you to new photographic adventures!