Z5vs A7 II
VS
Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Quick take: The a7 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A7 II (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £549 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history