Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs A7 II
Quick take: The A7 II has the highest resolution at 24MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the A7 II is weather sealed.
16 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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 II — Travel, Portrait: The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Who should buy what
A7 II (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | A7 IISony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £288 used |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | None (rear screen only) | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single microSD slot | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
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
1 J5
A7 II
Portrait
4.3/10
6.8/10
Street
6.7/10
5.9/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
5.5/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
5.7/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
5.8/10
Landscape
3.9/10
5.8/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
6.7/10
Casual
5.0/10
3.8/10
Food
4.8/10
6.0/10
Macro
3.4/10
5.5/10
Architecture
3.9/10
5.7/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
6.4/10
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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