A7 IIvs ZV-E1
VS
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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)
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The a7 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 ii is the most affordable; only the a7 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 II (2014) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 1080p 60fps | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps |
| Battery Life | 350 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 599g (body only) | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 II | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with A7 II
Camera family history