Sony a7R II vs Sony a7S

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R II and Sony a7S. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a7R II were released 2015 and Sony a7S was released 2014. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7R II 2015
Sony a7S 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7R II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a7S 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a7R II has a 42 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7S has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7R II 42 MP
42177408 pixels
7952 x 5304
Sony a7S 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832

Sony a7R II has a 251 % larger resolution than Sony a7S. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a7S has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7R II. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Sony a7R II has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7R II 100-25600
Sony a7S 10-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7R II
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7S

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7R II 5
Sony a7S 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a7R II and Sony a7S can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a7R II weighs 625 gr (equal to 1.38 lb) which is 28% heavier than Sony a7S and its 489 gr (or 1.08 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7R II 625 gr
1.38 lb
Sony a7S 489 gr
1.08 lb

Sony a7R II vs Sony a7S Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R II and Sony a7S, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Name Sony a7R II Sony a7S
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Release Year 2015 2014
Release Date 2015-06-10 2014-04-06
MSRP 3199 USD 2499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7952 x 5304 pixels 4240 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 42 MP 12 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Image
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
ISO Range 100 - 25600 10 - 102400
White Balance Presets 10 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 4.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 399 25
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1228800 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.71x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Frames per second 5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone)
Remote Control Yes (wired or via smartphone) Yes (Wired)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7R II
Sony a7S
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 380 shots
Width 127 mm 127 mm
Height 96 mm 94 mm
Depth 60 mm 48 mm
Weight 625 gram 489 gram