Z5vs A7S II
VS
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?
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.
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
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
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 z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7s ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £799 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | 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 | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history