A7 IIvs 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?
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
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
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
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 a7 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 II (2014) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £799 |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 1080p 60fps | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | 350 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 599g (body only) | 584g body only |
| 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, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 II | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with A7 II
Camera family history