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Sony A7S II vs Sony a1

Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67
Sony Alpha A7S II front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Push 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
  • Announced October 2015
  • Replaced the Sony A7S
  • Refreshed by Sony A7S III
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Sony A7S II and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both are created by Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the A7S II (12MP) and a1 (50MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The A7S II was released 6 years earlier than the a1 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A7S II grades vs the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Sony a1

 A7S II a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7S II

 a1 A7S II 
LaunchedJanuary 2021October 2015Newer by 64 months
Display resolution1440k1229kCrisper display (+211k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A7S II and Sony a1

 A7S II a1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A7S II has got outside dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") and a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A7S II and Sony a1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A7S II vs the a1.

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A7S II and a1 is 68 and 61 respectively.

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7S II and a1.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony a1 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 38MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged A7S II is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
68
manual focus
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
88
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400s)
MP count fantastic (50MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good ISO range (102,400)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
weather sealing
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7S II Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
58
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (370 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (530 shots)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7S II
Travel photography with Sony a1
49
environment proofing
bad battery pack (370 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery life (530 shots)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count fantastic (50MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7S II Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
71
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery pack (370 per charge)
88
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery life (530 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S II Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Sony A7S II vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S II and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7S IISony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7S II Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2015-10-12 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 50MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4240 x 2832 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 102400 32000
Max enhanced ISO 409600 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 169 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Available lenses 121 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,229 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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 per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps]) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 627 gr (1.38 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
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 score 85 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 2993 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 images 530 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots One Dual
Cost at release $2,767 $6,498