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Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2015
  • Old Model is Sony A7S
  • Updated by Sony A7S III
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Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Sony A7 versus Sony A7S II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both are sold by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the A7 (24MP) and A7S II (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The A7 was revealed 20 months earlier than the A7S II making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the A7 scores against the A7S II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony A7S II

 A7 A7S II 
Display resolution1230k1229kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Sony A7

 A7S II A7 
LaunchedOctober 2015January 2014More modern by 20 months

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony A7S II

 A7 A7S II 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A7 has got exterior measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S II has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Check the Sony A7 versus Sony A7S II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the A7 vs the A7S II.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A7 and A7S II is 78 and 68 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The image here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A7 and A7S II.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony A7 to deliver more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged A7 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 Portrait photography info
Sony A7S II Portrait photography info
82
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
68
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography factors
Sony A7S II Street photography factors
79
has a tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than average in class (474g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (370 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography details
Sony A7S II Travel photography details
69
lighter than average in class (474 grams)
environment proof
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
49
weather proofing
terrible battery life (370 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Landscape photography camera
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7
Vlogging with Sony A7S II
35
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than average in class (474 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Sony A7 vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony A7S II
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha A7S II
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-01-22 2015-10-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 25600 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 117 169
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 474 grams (1.04 lb) 627 grams (1.38 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 90 85
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 13.3
DXO Low light rating 2248 2993
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 370 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $798 $2,767