Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7
78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74


84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 50 - 25600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Revealed January 2014
- Newer Model is Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Launched December 2011

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
Following is a in-depth assessment of the Sony A7 versus Sony NEX-7, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the NEX-7 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the A7 (Full frame) and NEX-7 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The A7 was revealed 2 years after the NEX-7 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the A7 matches up versus the NEX-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha A7 & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The full galleries are available at Sony A7 Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony NEX-7
A7 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | December 2011 | More modern by 26 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper screen (+309k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sony A7
NEX-7 | A7 |
---|
Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony NEX-7
A7 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A7 has got physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
See the Sony A7 versus Sony NEX-7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A7 versus the NEX-7.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A7 and NEX-7 is 78 and 84 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A7 and NEX-7.
As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The A7 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field simpler. The more recent A7 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Sony Alpha A7 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha A7 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-01-22 | 2011-12-13 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Bionz X | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 855.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | 50 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 117 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sony E | Sony E |
Total lenses | 121 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | Xtra Fine LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.00 m |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 474 gr (1.04 lb) | 400 gr (0.88 lb) |
Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 90 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.8 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.2 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 2248 | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 pictures | 430 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FW50 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $798 | $699 |