GH5vs A7S II
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Video, Filmmaking & Hybrid Shooting — GH5 (2017): The GH5 redefined what a consumer video camera could do — 4K/60p and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording made it the independent filmmaker's tool of choice for years.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Who should buy what
GH5 (2017)
- Independent filmmakers who need 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording without a dedicated cinema camera
- YouTube creators who want 4K/60p, a fully articulating screen, and unlimited recording
- Photographers who shoot primarily stills but need serious video capability as a second
- GH4 owners who want 4K/60p and 10-bit — a significant step up
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The gh5 has the highest resolution at 20mp; the gh5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH5 (2017) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £799 |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p, C4K/30p, 1080p/180p; 10-bit 4:2:2 internal; unlimited recording | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face/eye detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops; Dual IS 2 with compatible lenses (6.5 stops) | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 9fps (AFC) | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 725g (with battery and card) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 98.1 × 87.4mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.76× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, headphone jack, HDMI | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH5 | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history