Sony a7S II vs Sony a7
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S II and Sony a7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7S II were released 2015 and Sony a7 was released 2013. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7S II | 2015 |
Sony a7 | 2013 |
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 a7S II | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a7 | 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 a7S II has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7S II |
12 MP
12007680 pixels 4240 x 2832 |
Sony a7 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a7 has a 100 % larger resolution than Sony a7S II. 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 II has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7. Sony a7S II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7S II | 100-102400 |
Sony a7 | 100-25600 |
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 II
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7S II | 5 |
Sony a7 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7S II and Sony a7 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 a7S II weighs 627 gr (equal to 1.38 lb) which is 32% heavier than Sony a7 and its 474 gr (or 1.04 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7S II | 627 gr 1.38 lb |
Sony a7 | 474 gr 1.04 lb |
Sony a7S II vs Sony a7 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S II and Sony a7, 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 II |
Sony a7 |
Name | Sony a7S II | Sony a7 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Release Year | 2015 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2015-09-11 | 2013-10-16 |
MSRP | 2999 USD | 1699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4240 x 2832 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz X |
Image |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
ISO Range | 100 - 102400 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 10 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5 axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 169 | 117 |
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 a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1228800 | 1230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT-LCD | Xtra Fine LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
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 | No | 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 a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
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 PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Remote Control | Yes (wired or smartphone) | Yes (wired) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7S II |
Sony a7 |
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) | 370 shots | 340 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 60 mm | 48 mm |
Weight | 627 gram | 474 gram |