Sony a7S vs Sony a500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7S were released 2014 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7S | 2014 |
Sony a500 | 2009 |
Type of camera
Sony a7S is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a7S | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 a7S has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7S |
12 MP
12007680 pixels 4240 x 2832 |
Sony a500 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
Sony a500 has a 1 % 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 a500. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7S | 10-102400 |
Sony a500 | 200-12800 |
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 a7S
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7S | 5 |
Sony a500 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a7S. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
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 a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 29% heavier than Sony a7S and its 489 gr (or 1.08 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7S | 489 gr 1.08 lb |
Sony a500 | 630 gr 1.39 lb |
Sony a7S vs Sony a500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S and Sony a500, 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 a7S |
Sony a500 |
Name | Sony a7S | Sony a500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2014-04-06 | 2009-08-27 |
MSRP | 2499 USD | 549 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4240 x 2832 pixels | 4272 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 12 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
ISO Range | 10 - 102400 | 200 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A 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 |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT-LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired) | Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7S |
Sony a500 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 shots | 520 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 137 mm |
Height | 94 mm | 104 mm |
Depth | 48 mm | 84 mm |
Weight | 489 gram | 630 gram |