A7vs Sony FX30
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.
Video Creators & Filmmakers — Sony FX30 (2022): The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
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
Sony FX30 (2022)
- Filmmakers and video creators who want a dedicated cinema-style APS-C body
- Content creators who need S-Cinetone and S-Log3 in a compact form factor
- A6700 owners who want cinema-style ergonomics and a full-size HDMI port
- Video professionals who want Sony's colour science without full-frame pricing
Quick take: The sony fx30 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the a7 is the most affordable; only the sony fx30 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7 (2013) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £299 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 | Sony FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Documentary | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
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