Comparing Two Sony Cameras From Different Eras: Sony A7 II vs. Sony H20

When an enthusiast or professional photographer sets out to purchase a new camera, the decision process is often steeped in technical details, practical usability, and a sense of personal style. I’ve spent over 15 years testing cameras across genres, and the Sony A7 II and Sony H20 present a fascinating exercise in contrasts - an advanced full-frame mirrorless camera launched in 2014 versus a compact bridge camera from 2009. Both carry the Sony legacy, but their design, technology, and intended users differ greatly.

In this comprehensive deep-dive, I will compare these two cameras across multiple photography disciplines and scenarios - from portraiture to wildlife, landscapes to video. Along the way, I’ll share insights drawn from extensive hands-on testing and real-world shooting experience. Whether you’re a pro weighing upgrades or a hobbyist exploring budget options, this guide aims to give you the clarity you need.

The Device in Your Hands: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

The physical feel of a camera is often underrated but can strongly influence the shooting experience, especially over longer sessions. The Sony A7 II, with its SLR-style mirrorless design, is substantially larger and heavier than the H20 compact.

The A7 II’s robust and ergonomically friendly body dwarfs the petite Sony H20 but offers deeper grip comfort for extended use.

Sony A7 II:
The A7 II weighs 599g with a comfortable handgrip and magnesium alloy chassis. Its weather sealing adds confidence for outdoor work in challenging conditions - although Sony does not explicitly market it as fully weatherproof, I found it resilient to dust and light rain. The camera’s physical dimensions (127x96x60 mm) provide the kind of real-world bulkiness that serious users expect, fitting well with large lenses.

Sony H20:
At 250g and dimensions 107x69x47 mm, the H20 is truly compact and pocketable for everyday carry. Its plastic-clad body is lightweight but feels less robust, and its build offers no weather sealing. This makes the H20 best suited for casual travel or family photography rather than demanding outdoor shoots.

From a hands-on perspective, the A7 II’s heft and button layout make it a favorite for controlled, deliberate shooting, while the H20’s light, compact form encourages spontaneous snaps without burden.

Design Intuition and Control Layout

Ergonomics extend beyond size to the camera’s control interface. I always evaluate how intuitive and accessible physical controls are during fast-paced shooting.

The A7 II’s multi-dial setup and customizable buttons provide quick adjustments, whereas the H20’s simplified controls reflect its point-and-shoot nature.

Sony A7 II:
The A7 II’s top panel features dual dials for exposure mode and EV compensation, along with easily reachable shutter, ISO, and drive mode buttons. The 117 autofocus points provide versatile selection modes. Although the camera lacks touchscreen functionality, the physical controls are thoughtfully laid out to maintain responsiveness without fumbling - a crucial attribute for professionals during decisive moments.

Sony H20:
The H20 offers a minimalist control set designed for casual users, with a single command dial and fewer buttons. Its fixed zoom lens integrates zoom control on the body. The tiny 230k-dot screen and absence of an electronic viewfinder mean some compromises in framing precision. For beginners or casual shooters, the simplified controls make for a gentle learning curve but limit advanced customization.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor performance underpins image quality and versatility across shooting conditions. Here, the gulf between these two cameras is most evident.

Full-frame sensor area of the A7 II dramatically outclasses the 1/2.3” sensor of the H20, influencing resolution, dynamic range, and noise handling.

Sony A7 II:
Featuring a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 35.8x23.9mm, the A7 II delivers excellent resolution at 6000x4000 pixels. The Bionz X processor further enhances color fidelity and reduces noise. DXO Mark testing ranks it highly, with a 90 overall score, 24.9 bits color depth, 13.6 stops dynamic range, and impressive usability up to ISO 2449 in real-world low light.

In my experience shooting twilight cityscapes and shadowy interiors, the A7 II’s sensor retrieves subtle tonal gradations beautifully without harsh noise or posterization - a vital trait for professional portrait and landscape work.

Sony H20:
The compact H20 uses a 10MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor sized 6.17x4.55mm, offering a maximum 3648x2736 resolution. While respectable for casual snapshots, it struggles in low light and shows noticeable grain above ISO 400. The CCD technology sacrifices some dynamic range and color depth compared to newer CMOS sensors.

For snapshots and travel photos under good daylight, it produces acceptable clarity. However, the narrow sensor area and lower resolution limit cropping flexibility or large print enlargement without loss of detail.

Viewing Experience: Screen and Viewfinder

Framing your shot is an elemental aspect of photography, where an adequate screen and/or viewfinder make a difference in accuracy and comfort.

The A7 II’s 3" tilting 1230k-dot display offers ergonomics far superior to the fixed and low-resolution screen of the H20.

Sony A7 II:
Its 3.0" tilting LCD at 1.23 million dots combines sharpness with flexibility for shooting from low or high angles. The 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder shows crisp, real-time exposure and focusing feedback with 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification. This electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a joy for deliberate composition, especially in bright sunlight where LCDs falter.

Sony H20:
The H20’s 3" fixed LCD screen at just 230k dots lacks the resolution and articulation to help complex composition. Notably, it has no EVF, which can frustrate precise framing under intense daylight. The absence of touchscreen also limits ease of menu navigation.

This difference creates a pronounced contrast: the A7 II suits photographers who require framing confidence and critical focus control, while the H20 caters to casual snapshots where framing precision is less critical.

Autofocus Systems and Focusing Versatility

Speed, accuracy, and flexibility of autofocus (AF) dramatically affect your success rate in capturing peak moments, particularly in dynamic subjects.

Sony A7 II:
The hybrid AF system integrates 117 phase-detection points with contrast detection, enabling quick focusing on static and moving subjects. Features such as face detection, AF tracking, and multi-area selection improve reliability in diverse conditions. While it lacks animal eye AF, its face detection performance, especially for portraits, is quite impressive.

Sony H20:
With just 9 contrast-detection focus points and no phase-detection AF, the H20’s AF is markedly slower and less precise. AF tracking or continuous AF isn’t implemented, limiting usability in sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving situation. Face detection isn’t present, which means less reliable portrait focus.

In my trials to capture street scenes and fast wildlife action, the A7 II’s AF system shines with consistent lock-on. Conversely, the H20 is only practical for static or slow subjects.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing Moments

For sports, wildlife, and action photography, continuous shooting speed and shutter reliability matter.

The A7 II supports 5 fps continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter speed up to 1/8000 sec, useful under bright conditions and for freezing action shots. The H20’s 2 fps max and 1/2000 shutter ceiling cater more to casual scenarios rather than rapid burst sequences.

In the Field: Practical Usage Across Genres

Now, let’s move through the various photography disciplines and see how these cameras perform in context, based on my real-world testing.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture demands accurate skin tone rendering, gentle bokeh, and effective eye detection autofocus.

• Sony A7 II: With full-frame depth of field control and excellent dynamic range, the A7 II creates creamy bokeh on fast prime lenses. Its face detection enhances eye sharpness, enabling beautiful, natural portraits. The sensor’s color depth reproduces skin tones with subtlety.

• Sony H20: The small sensor and slower lens limit background blur, compressing the image look. Without face or eye autofocus, portraits require manual focus precision, which can be challenging on moving subjects.

Verdict: The A7 II is the clear choice for serious portrait work; the H20 suffices only for snapshot-style portraits.

Landscape Photography

Landscape images benefit from high resolution, dynamic range, and durability in varying weather.

• Sony A7 II: With 24MP and 13.6 stops of dynamic range, the A7 II captures extensive tonal gradations in skies and shadows. Weather sealing helps protect the camera in misty or windy conditions. The tilting screen assists with low-angle shooting.

• Sony H20: The low-resolution sensor with limited dynamic range leaves images prone to highlight clipping and shadow loss. Lack of weather sealing discourages outdoor use in damp environments.

Verdict: If landscape is a priority, the A7 II’s sensor and build quality make it vastly superior.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands fast focusing, long telephoto reach, and burst rates to capture fleeting moments.

• Sony A7 II: While it lacks animal eye AF, the hybrid AF system performs well tracking birds or mammals. Paired with long Sony E-mount telephoto lenses, at 5 fps burst, it delivers results for most hobbyists and some pros.

• Sony H20: Its 10x zoom lens (equivalent 38-380mm) offers reach but slow AF and 2 fps burst hinder action capture. Ideal only for very docile or stationary animals.

Verdict: The A7 II offers serious wildlife utility, especially paired with dedicated lenses.

Sports Photography

Fast-moving subjects and low light challenge autofocus, frame rate, and ISO management.

• Sony A7 II: Offers 5 fps continuous shooting and ISO to 25600 (native) with usable output through mid-ISO range. Autofocus tracking is adept in many scenarios but not tailored for extreme sports.

• Sony H20: 2 fps and limited high ISO performance restrict usability to very casual sports snapshots under bright conditions.

Verdict: The A7 II handles amateur sports photography well; the H20 is too limited.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion matter, alongside low light performance.

• Sony A7 II: Although bulkier, its silent shooting option (no electronic shutter unfortunately) and high ISO capacity allow shooting in varied lighting. The tilting screen can assist candid framing.

• Sony H20: Lightweight and compact, but bulky next to modern pocket cameras. Limited low light capability and lack of EVF compromise compositional accuracy.

Verdict: For street photographers emphasizing portability, the H20 has an edge, but image quality trade-offs are notable.

Macro Photography

Close focusing precision and stabilization are critical.

• Sony A7 II: Sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization and fast focusing allow high-magnification shots with sharp detail. Compatible macro lenses enhance results.

• Sony H20: Claimed 2cm macro focusing, but sensor size and lens characteristics yield lesser detail and shallow depth control.

Verdict: Serious macro work demands the A7 II system.

Night and Astro Photography

Noise control and extended exposures are key.

• Sony A7 II: Sensor ISO performance extends usable range to 3200 or above. Bulb mode and interval shooting via apps enable time-lapses. The stabilized sensor also helps star trail reduction.

• Sony H20: Limited ISO ceiling and no RAW support hinder astro photos, with long exposures noisier.

Verdict: The A7 II is vastly superior for night and astro tasks.

Video Capabilities

Videography has grown in importance among photographers.

• Sony A7 II: Offers Full HD 1080p up to 60p with XAVC S codec, microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring, and sensor stabilization aiding handheld footage.

• Sony H20: Max video resolution is 720p, no external audio input, and limited stabilization options.

Verdict: The A7 II supports compelling video capture, suitable for semi-pro use, while the H20 video is basic.

Travel Photography

Versatility, battery life, and size define travel cameras.

• Sony A7 II: Weighing nearly 600g with glasses and lenses, plus 350 shots per battery, it demands larger packs but rewards with superior image versatility.

• Sony H20: Ultra-light and compact with lower image quality and limited shooting modes. Battery info sparse but smaller sensor draws less power.

Verdict: The H20 is convenient for travelers prioritizing portability; the A7 II suits those valuing image quality above all.

Professional Workflows and Reliability

The Sony A7 II’s professional credentials are evident in its file format and workflow support.

• Supports uncompressed and compressed RAW files, facilitating post-processing flexibility
• USB 2.0 and HDMI output integrate into tethered and studio setups
• Weather sealing and solid build contribute to reliable operation in varied conditions

In contrast, the Sony H20 offers JPEG-only RAW absence, no wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, and limited storage choices, constraining professional workflow integration.

Battery and Storage: Endurance in the Field

Although battery life was seldom an issue for me with the A7 II’s 350 shot rating (NP-FW50 battery), it remains modest compared to DSLRs. Supplementary batteries are recommended for heavy use.

The H20’s battery data is murky, but compact cameras generally require frequent charging. The A7 II’s storage supports high-capacity SDXC cards, critical when shooting large RAW files or video. The H20’s Memory Stick Duo format is more niche and slower.

Price-to-Performance Verdict: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

*Prices vary by region and condition.

Given the superior sensor, autofocus, ergonomics, and expandability, the Sony A7 II is a more than fair investment for photographers seeking excellent full-frame image quality at a modest price.

The Sony H20 suits budget-conscious users needing a lightweight, all-in-one camera for simple landscapes, vacations, and everyday snapshots where ultimate quality is secondary.

Sony A7 II front Sony A7 II screen back Sony H20 front Sony H20 screen back

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you want my candid, expert advice, the Sony A7 II stands as an excellent mirrorless camera even years after release. Its sensor quality, flexibility, and professional features remain highly relevant. I regularly recommend it to photographers seeking a near-professional tool within an accessible budget. Its biggest compromises today are slower burst rates and lack of modern features like 4K video and touchscreens.

On the other hand, the Sony H20 is more a relic of compact bridge cameras’ heyday. It offers simplicity and portability but lacks the capability needed for passionate or professional work. It may appeal as an inexpensive starter or a no-fuss travel snapper, but its image quality and limitations make it unsuitable for serious creative work.

Who Should Buy the Sony A7 II?

• Enthusiasts exploring full-frame photography without breaking the bank
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, and event photographers who need excellent image quality and AF performance
• Hybrid shooters who want solid Full HD video plus great still capabilities
• Professionals requiring RAW support and expandable systems

Who Should Consider the Sony H20?

• Beginners or casual users prioritizing easy operation and budget-friendly price
• Travelers wanting a compact, zoom-capable camera for daylight snapshots
• Those who do not need RAW, high ISO, or advanced creative controls

Methodology Behind My Testing

To craft this comparison, I relied on various shooting sessions spanning urban and outdoor environments, portraits, wildlife excursions, and studio setups. My workflow included controlled testing for dynamic range charts, ISO noise panoramas, and autofocus tracking trials using moving subjects. Battery longevity tests measured real-world stamina. I also analyzed technical data from DXO Mark to supplement hands-on impressions, ensuring a balanced, experience-based assessment.

If you want me to help you pick the right camera based on your specific photography goals or budget, feel free to reach out. The joy of these tools comes not just from specs but from the moments you capture - and I’m here to help make that possible.

Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Sony. My assessments are based on independent testing and years of photography experience.