Z5 IIvs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
Z5 II (2024)
- DSLR photographers making the switch to full-frame mirrorless
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame Z quality at the most accessible price
- Z5 owners wanting significantly improved autofocus and uncropped 4K
- Landscape and portrait photographers stepping up from APS-C
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the z5 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 II (2024) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £349 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 700g body only | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 II | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Architecture | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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