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A1 vs A7S

Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 55MP; the A7S is the most affordable; only the A7S is weather sealed.

Different kinds of camera — their specs aren't comparable, so read the rows as facts, not a contest.

32 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

A7S — Astrophotography & Low-Light: The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.

Who should buy what
A7S (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Astrophotographers
  • Low-light event videographers
  • Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification A1Antigravity · 2025A7SSony · 2014
Price £909£303 usedBest
Sensor —12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS
Resolution 55.0MPBest12.2MP
Video —1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder)
Autofocus —Contrast-detect AF, 25 points
Stabilisation —No stabilisation
Burst Rate —5fps
Battery Life —~370 shots (CIPA)
Weight —474g (with battery and card)
Dimensions —126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedYesBest
Viewfinder —Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification
Screen —3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots
Mount Fixed lens (360°, f/2.2)Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards —Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot
Connectivity —Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC
Take-off weight 249 g—
Fly without registering Yes — under 250 g—
Flight time 24 min—
Wind resistance 10.7 m/s—
Obstacle sensing Omnidirectional—
Video link OmniLink 360—
Range 6.0 km—
Top speed 16.0 m/s—
Cameras 1—
RAW stills Yes—
Vertical shooting Not supported—
Intelligent flight Subject tracking, waypoints, return-to-home—
Storage 20 GB built in + microSD slot—
Controller in the box Vision goggles + Grip Motion Controller—
FPV Yes, goggles in the box—
Folds Yes—

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
A1
A7S
Portrait
—
5.3/10
Street
—
5.7/10
Travel
—
5.6/10
Wedding & Events
—
4.3/10
Filmmaking
—
5.9/10
Documentary
—
5.6/10
Sports & Action
—
4.8/10
Landscape
—
5.0/10
Wildlife
—
5.4/10
Casual
—
3.7/10
Food
—
4.9/10
Macro
—
4.3/10
Architecture
—
4.7/10
Astrophotography
—
6.0/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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