Decision tools · Compare
A7 II vs A7R II
Quick take: The A7R II has the highest resolution at 42MP; the A7 II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 II — Travel, Portrait: The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
A7R II — Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography: The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
Who should buy what
A7 II (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
A7R II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7 IISony · 2014 | A7R IISony · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £288 usedBest | £420 used |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 42.4MPBest |
| Video | 1080p 60fps | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | 350 shots (CIPA)Best | ~290 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 599g (body only)Best | 625g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
A7 II
A7R II
Portrait
6.8/10
7.1/10
Street
5.9/10
5.8/10
Travel
5.7/10
5.6/10
Wedding & Events
5.5/10
5.5/10
Documentary
5.7/10
6.1/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
5.8/10
Landscape
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
6.7/10
Casual
3.8/10
3.9/10
Food
6.0/10
6.4/10
Macro
5.5/10
5.8/10
Architecture
5.7/10
6.4/10
Astrophotography
6.4/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
—
5.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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