Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs A7R II
Quick take: The A7R II has the highest resolution at 42MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the A7R 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.
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?
A7R II — Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography: The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
Who should buy what
A7R II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | A7R IISony · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £420 used |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 42.4MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~290 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 625g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | None (rear screen only) | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon 1 | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single microSD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
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
A7R II
Portrait
4.3/10
7.1/10
Street
6.7/10
5.8/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.6/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
5.5/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
5.9/10
Documentary
4.1/10
6.1/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
5.8/10
Landscape
3.9/10
6.4/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
6.7/10
Casual
5.0/10
3.9/10
Food
4.8/10
6.4/10
Macro
3.4/10
5.8/10
Architecture
3.9/10
6.4/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
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 →
Next
More comparisons with 1 J5
Camera family history