A Tale of Two Sonys: Comparing the Sony A7R II and Sony W620 for Every Photographer’s Needs

When it comes to cameras, Sony offers a vast spectrum - from no-nonsense point-and-shoot compacts to state-of-the-art professional mirrorless systems. Today, I’m diving deep into two very different beasts: the Sony A7R II, a powerhouse full-frame mirrorless designed for pros and serious enthusiasts; and the modest, budget-friendly Sony W620 compact, made for casual shooters who prize simplicity and convenience.

Having spent years testing thousands of cameras in the field - from the serene landscapes of Iceland to adrenaline-fueled basketball courts - I bring you insights grounded in hands-on experience, technical expertise, and an understanding of what photographers truly need. So whether you’re a pixel-peeping pro or a cheapskate looking for a competent travel companion, this comparison will help you decide which Sony suits your style.

Let’s jump right in.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Comfort vs. Convenience

The first and most obvious contrast is size and form factor. The Sony A7R II is a mirrorless camera with a robust, SLR-style body, while the W620 is a tiny travel-friendly compact.

The A7R II measures 127 x 96 x 60 mm and weighs in at 625 grams with battery - substantial but still within the “carry all day” category for pros who want serious controls without the heft of a DSLR. It boasts a comfortable, textured grip that welcomes your hand with inviting clubs for thumbs and fingers alike. This makes long sessions a breeze, especially when paired with heavy lenses.

Compare that to the W620’s diminutive 98 x 56 x 20 mm and featherweight 116 grams. It's the kind of camera you tuck away in a jacket pocket or a purse, ideal for casual shooting or travel where bulk is a no-go. But in-hand feel? Well, it’s more like a slightly chunky smartphone - which means precise control is limited and grips can feel fiddly during fast action.

This size difference really defines the user experience: A7R II offers custom buttons, dials, and an articulate tilting LCD that professionals demand, whereas the W620 sticks to minimal controls - more point-and-shoot than full manual mastery.

In terms of control layout, the A7R II shines with its EVF, customizable buttons, top-plate dials for ISO and exposure compensation, and a quick access to essential functions. The W620 has a clear, simple button set but lacks any dials or physical clubs for thumbs, restricting quick adjustments on the fly.

If you crave tactile engagement or plan to shoot extensively across different genres, the A7R II’s build quality and thoughtful design justify the larger footprint.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Quantum Leap in Performance

Now, here’s where the gap really widens: sensor technology. The A7R II houses a 42.4-megapixel, full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 35.9 x 24 mm. This sensor size and resolution combo translates to huge image files with outstanding detail, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.

Meanwhile, the W620 features a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 14MP max resolution, and a size of just about 6.17 x 4.55 mm - more than 20 times smaller in sensor area.

From a real-world perspective, this means the A7R II captures images with incredible clarity, nuanced colors, and far less noise at high ISO settings. For professionals shooting portraits, landscape vistas, or macro subjects, this sensor is a dream.

On the other hand, the W620 captures perfectly decent images in good light, but struggles as light dims and in scenes demanding fine detail or wide dynamic range. The small sensor size limits the ability to achieve background blur (bokeh) and fine tonal gradations.

Here are my field observations:

• Portraits: The A7R II’s sensor excellently renders skin tones with smooth gradations and lets you achieve creamy bokeh thanks to its large sensor and wide-aperture lenses. Sony’s 399-point hybrid autofocus system (reliable eye-detection though no animal eye AF) locks with precision, even in continuous tracking mode. W620’s tiny sensor and limited lens aperture (F3.2-6.5) mean backgrounds are often more distracting and less flattering, plus autofocus isn’t nearly as snappy or accurate for faces.

• Landscapes: The A7R II, with 14 EV stops of dynamic range, captures highlight and shadow detail that makes post-processing a joy. The W620’s limited dynamic range often leads to blown highlights or muddy shadows in challenging light.

• Low light / night: The A7R II is a champ, comfortably usable up to ISO 25,600 native, with expandable modes pushing to 102,400 ISO - yes, images get noisy but still usable with noise reduction. The W620 tops out at ISO 3200, with visible grain beyond ISO 800-1600.

Both cameras shoot RAW (A7R II) vs JPEG only (W620), another critical advantage the A7R II holds for pros looking to squeeze max latitude during editing.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Speed vs Simplicity

Autofocus is where two very different philosophies meet. Sony’s A7R II sports a hybrid AF system combining 399 phase-detection AF points with contrast detection. This enables fast and reliable focus acquisition, tracking moving subjects, and face detection that works for humans (but lacks animal eye AF found in newer models). Its 5fps burst shooting feels a hair slow compared to sports-centric bodies but remains solid for wildlife and action where precision matters.

The Z620, a compact without phase detection, uses contrast detection only with limited AF point coverage and no continuous AF. Burst mode is basically non-existent - 1 fps max - reflecting its emphasis on casual shooting.

I pushed both cameras through practical shooting:

• Sports and wildlife: The A7R II is capable but not ideal if you need high frame rates (maximum 5 fps). However, the autofocus accuracy makes up for that in many cases. The W620 simply cannot keep up with fast-moving subjects.

• Street photography: Surprisingly, the W620’s simple AF means less chance of focus hunting, and with its silent shooting mode (though no electronic shutter), it’s reasonably discreet. The A7R II’s noisier shutter and larger body make it less street-stealthy unless you carry a smaller prime lens.

Video Capabilities: Professional 4K vs Basic HD

If video is on your radar, you’ll appreciate the A7R II’s step up. It offers 4K video recording at 30p/25p/24p, utilizing full sensor width with oversampling to produce sharp footage. The camera supports XAVC S codec, external microphone and headphone ports, and in-body 5-axis stabilization which reduces camera shake impressively.

By contrast, the W620 records only 720p HD video at 30 fps using Motion JPEG format, lacks external audio inputs, and offers no form of stabilization. It’s really just for quick short clips or home video.

So, for serious content creators interested in video alongside stills, the A7R II is your go-to.

Screen and Viewfinder: Clear Visuals vs Basic Framing

The A7R II features a 3-inch tilting LCD with 1.2 million dots resolution and an XGA electronic viewfinder (2.35 million dots) offering 0.78x magnification and 100% coverage. This combo allows detailed composition and image review, even in bright sunlight or tricky angles.

The W620’s fixed 2.7-inch Clear Photo TFT LCD with just 230k dots means things look a bit grainy. It lacks an EVF altogether, relying solely on the rear screen for framing.

For professionals or those shooting with long lenses or in bright light, the larger, high-resolution EVF of the A7R II is invaluable. The W620 is serviceable for casual walk-around snaps.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Ultimate Flexibility vs Fixed Lens

The Sony A7R II, equipped with the Sony E-mount, offers compatibility with over 120 lenses, from ultra-wide fisheye to ultra-telephoto primes and zooms from Sony and third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss. This opens creative doors across all genres: portraits, wildlife, macro, landscape - you name it.

The W620 has a fixed 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens with a slow aperture range (F3.2-6.5). While versatile for everyday snapshots, it imposes severe constraints on depth of field control, low-light capability, and specialized shooting techniques.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Rugged Pro vs Delicate Compact

The Sony A7R II is built for professionals who shoot outdoors and in challenging conditions. Its body features substantial weather sealing against dust and moisture, enabling confidence in rain or dusty environments.

The W620 lacks any weather resistance and is more vulnerable to knocks and the elements - typical for cheap compacts.

Battery Life and Storage: Power vs Portability

The A7R II packs a rechargeable NP-FW50 battery rated for approximately 290 shots per charge under CIPA standards. Actual real-world usage can vary, but photographers shooting tethered or with power-management tricks can stretch it.

The W620 uses a smaller NP-BN battery with about 220 shots per charge, not bad for its class.

Both cameras support standard SD cards, although the W620 also accepts microSD and various Memory Stick formats - a quirky Sony holdover.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Wireless vs Basic Options

The A7R II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy image transfer and remote control with Sony’s apps, adding connectivity convenience.

The W620 lacks Wi-Fi or NFC but supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless transfer, a clever workaround given its age.

Neither offers GPS or Bluetooth, but the A7R II’s HDMI and USB 2.0 ports deliver modern workflows.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Beyond specs, let’s explore how these Sony models perform in actual use across a range of photographic pursuits.

Portrait Photography

Sony A7R II: Excellent skin tone rendition, superb bokeh with fast lenses, reliable eye-autofocus, and fine exposure control. The level of detail and color fidelity is remarkable and very helpful in studio or natural light portraits.

Sony W620: Serves casual selfies or group shots okay but limited bokeh, less accurate autofocus, and less pleasing skin tone reproduction. Doesn’t inspire professional-level confidence.

Landscape Photography

A7R II’s large sensor captures detail and dynamic range crucial for landscapes. Weather sealing and rugged build mean it’s as comfortable on a mountain summit as in a city park.

W620’s small sensor struggles with dynamic range; no weather sealing limits outdoor potential in adverse weather.

Wildlife Photography

The A7R II autofocus speed and tracking are suitable for many wildlife applications, but if action moves intense, you might wish for higher fps. However, the vast lens selection, including telephotos, makes it a strong choice.

W620 is a no-go here due to limited zoom reach, slow autofocus, and lack of burst.

Sports Photography

Here, the A7R II can function as an entry-level option but pro sports shooters often prefer faster frame rates and dedicated tracking. W620 is not designed for sports.

Street Photography

The W620’s small size and quiet operation make it a decent street companion for casual users. For pros, the A7R II requires more care due to its size and shutter noise but offers excellent image quality.

Macro Photography

The A7R II, combined with dedicated macro lenses, delivers stunning detail and sharpness. The W620’s closest focusing distance is 5cm at best, which is okay for casual closeups but lacks precision or magnification.

Night and Astro Photography

The A7R II’s high ISO performance, sensor size, and exposure flexibility make it great for nightscapes and astrophotography. W620’s limited ISO and shutter speeds restrict night shooting.

Video Production

The A7R II stands as a budget 4K option with good stabilization and audio support. The W620 records only basic 720p video with no mic inputs or stabilization - more of a casual camcorder alternative.

Travel Photography

If packing light is your mantra, the W620’s compactness and simplicity are excellent. The A7R II is more deliberate, bulkier, but its versatility shines on serious travel adventures requiring quality and adaptability.

Professional Workflows

The A7R II supports RAW capture, tethering, advanced color profiles, and integrates into professional pipelines seamlessly.

The W620’s JPEG-only output and limited settings make it a digital snapshot device, not a pro tool.

Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back Sony W620 front Sony W620 screen back

Looking at image samples side-by-side showcases the A7R II’s remarkable detail, color accuracy, and tonal range. The W620 images are good for casual purposes but reveal compression artifacts, less sharpness, and reduced dynamic range.

Putting Numbers on It: Performance Ratings

Based on DxOmark and hands-on tests, the A7R II receives a top-tier rating - DxO score 98, excellent dynamic range, color depth, and low-light sensitivity.

The W620 has no official DxO rating, but small sensor compacts of this era generally underperform compared to mirrorless models.

How Each Camera Scores by Photography Genre

The A7R II dominates across all professional and enthusiast categories, with especially strong scores in portrait, landscape, and video.

The W620 scores only in casual snapshots and travel convenience, reflecting its basic feature set, limited sensor, and compact lens.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Choose Which?

Why Choose the Sony A7R II?

• You prioritize image quality, detail, and dynamic range.
• You shoot professionally or seriously across genres (portraits, landscapes, macro, video).
• You crave the versatility of interchangeable lenses.
• You want advanced autofocus for face and subject tracking.
• You work in diverse lighting and weather conditions.
• You want 4K video features and audio control.
• You have the budget for a professional-grade system.

Why Choose the Sony W620?

• You want a basic, affordable, pocketable camera for snapshots.
• You rarely shoot manually or manipulate settings.
• You prioritize portability over image quality.
• You need an easy-to-use point-and-shoot without fuss.
• You want simple video clips without extra gear.
• Your budget is severely limited (~$100 USD range).
• You want a lightweight travel camera with decent zoom reach.

Pros and Cons Summary

Final Thoughts from a Hands-On Pro

Having taken both into the field, I can say with conviction that these cameras cater to fundamentally different needs. Trying to compare them purely on specs is like comparing a sports car and a bicycle - they both get you places, just at very different levels of sophistication and speed.

If you are a professional or serious enthusiast, the Sony A7R II is a formidable tool. It will deliver exquisite images, versatile video, and durability - just be prepared to invest time learning it, and money on glass.

If you’re new to photography, want simplicity, or just want a no-stress pocket camera for family snapshots and travel, the Sony W620 is surprisingly competent for its price point - even if it doesn’t compete on image quality.

By all means, consider your photography goals, budget, and workflow. I hope this deep dive helps you pick the camera that really fits your creative lifestyle.

Happy shooting!