Nikon Zfcvs A7S II
Sony
A7S II (2015)
From £799
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
Which should you buy?
Lifestyle, Street & Casual Shooters — Nikon Zfc (2021): Nikon's most beautiful camera — FM2-inspired dials and styling wrapped around a capable modern sensor with Z-mount access.
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
Nikon Zfc (2021)
- Photographers who want APS-C Z quality in a retro film-camera aesthetic
- Beginners and enthusiasts attracted to tactile dial controls
- Street and travel photographers who want a compact, stylish Z body
- Anyone who wants the Nikon Z system entry point with a distinctive look
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 nikon zfc has the highest resolution at 21mp; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Nikon Zfc (2021) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £799 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (slight crop), 1080p/120p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase/contrast AF with subject detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None (lens-based only) | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | 300 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 445g body only | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 134.5 × 93.5 × 43.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.39" OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single UHS-I SD | 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 | Nikon Zfc | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Nikon Zfc
Camera family history