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Sony A7R II vs Sony a1

Portability
68
Imaging
76
Features
84
Overall
79
Sony Alpha A7R II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 625g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7R
  • Replacement is Sony A7R III
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Sony A7R II and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and they are both built by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A7R II (42MP) and the a1 (50MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A7R II was announced 6 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the A7R II matches up against the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R II over the Sony a1

 A7R II a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7R II

 a1 A7R II 
LaunchedJanuary 2021June 2015Newer by 68 months
Screen resolution1440k1229kClearer screen (+211k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A7R II and Sony a1

 A7R II a1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A7R II features outer dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") and a weight of 625 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Sony A7R II and Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the A7R II and the a1.

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7R II and a1 is 68 and 61 respectively.

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R II and a1.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony a1 to show extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged A7R II will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R II Portrait photography details
Sony a1 Portrait photography details
85
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
89
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/400 seconds)
amazing megapixels (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R II Street photography information
Sony a1 Street photography information
81
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R II Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
91
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (530 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7R II
Travel photography with Sony a1
62
environment proofing
megapixel count amazing (42MP)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (530 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
amazing megapixels (50MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R II Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
88
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (530 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R II Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
37
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
37
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Sony A7R II vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R II and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7R IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R II Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-06-10 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 42MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7974 x 5316 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 25600 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 399 759
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 625 gr (1.38 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 98 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3434 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 530 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Two
Retail price $2,913 $6,498