A7vs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction — A7 (2013): The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
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 (2013)
- 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
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 a7 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 (2013) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £299 | £349 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | None | None |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Architecture | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history