Z7 IIvs A7S II
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?
Landscape & Studio / High-Resolution — Z7 II (2020): The Z7 II is a landscape and studio camera first, everything else second. 45.7MP with weather sealing and dual card slots is a compelling package. If you need resolution, it delivers. If you don't, the Z6 II is the smarter buy.
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
Z7 II (2020)
- Landscape photographers who print large or need to crop significantly
- Studio and commercial photographers requiring maximum resolution
- Architecture photographers where detail is non-negotiable
- Fine-art photographers who shoot primarily from a tripod
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 z7 ii has the highest resolution at 46mp; the a7s ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z7 II (2020) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,699 | £799 |
| Sensor | 45.7MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 45.7MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 493 points, Eye AF, subject tracking | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~420 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 705g (body, battery, card) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z7 II | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Z7 II
Camera family history