Decision tools · Compare
A7 vs A7 II
Quick take: The A7 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·13 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 — Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction: The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
A7 II — Travel, Portrait: The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
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)
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7Sony · 2013 | A7 IISony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £151 usedBest | £288 used |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card)Best | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
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
A7 II
Portrait
6.6/10
6.8/10
Street
6.2/10
5.9/10
Travel
6.0/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
5.3/10
5.5/10
Documentary
5.6/10
5.7/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
5.8/10
Landscape
5.8/10
5.8/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
6.7/10
Casual
3.9/10
3.8/10
Food
5.7/10
6.0/10
Macro
5.0/10
5.5/10
Architecture
5.6/10
5.7/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
6.4/10
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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Camera family history