Decision tools · Compare
A7 IV vs A7S II
Quick take: The A7 IV has the highest resolution at 33MP; the A7S II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Sony
A7S II 2015
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
£799
list price · used from £400 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 IV — Portrait & Wedding Photography: The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
A7S II — Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking: 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 IV (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
A7S II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7 IVSony · 2021 | A7S IISony · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,799 | £799Best |
| Sensor | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 33.0MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition | Contrast-detect AF, 169 points; limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronicBest | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~580 shots (CIPA)Best | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 659g (body only) | 584g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Slot 1 CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II, slot 2 SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
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 IV
A7S II
Portrait
8.2/10
5.8/10
Street
6.5/10
5.3/10
Travel
6.3/10
5.2/10
Wedding & Events
7.9/10
5.6/10
Vlogging & Video
6.1/10
—
Filmmaking
7.2/10
6.2/10
Documentary
7.4/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
7.5/10
5.2/10
Landscape
6.7/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
7.8/10
5.6/10
Casual
5.3/10
3.5/10
Food
7.6/10
5.2/10
Macro
7.3/10
4.8/10
Architecture
6.8/10
4.8/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
6.8/10
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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