A7 IIvs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the a7 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 II (2014) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £349 |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 1080p 60fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | 350 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 599g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, 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 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 II | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Architecture | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with A7 II
Camera family history