A7R VIvs A7S II
Sony
A7R VI (2025)
Starting from £4399 new
Best for Studio, landscape and commercial photographers needing maximum resolution
View A7R VI
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Studio, Landscape And Commercial Photographers Needing Maximum Resolution — A7R VI (2025): The A7R VI cements its place as the resolution flagship of the Sony full-frame range — 61MP, AI-driven autofocus, and 8K video make it as capable for video and action work as it is for studio and landscape photography. The price reflects its position at the top of the lineup, but the capability is hard to match.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): 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
A7R VI (2025)
- Studio and commercial photographers who need maximum resolution for large prints and heavy cropping
- Landscape photographers who want best-in-class dynamic range and detail
- Hybrid shooters who need 8K video alongside a 61MP stills sensor
- Professionals upgrading from the A7R V who want faster AI-driven autofocus
A7S II (2015)
- 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
Quick take: The a7r vi has the highest resolution at 61mp; the a7s ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7R VI (2025) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,399 | £799 |
| Sensor | 61MP full-frame stacked back-illuminated CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 61.0MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 8K 30fps, 4K 120fps oversampled | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | AI processing unit — subject recognition for people, animals, birds and vehicles across the frame | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | In-body 5-axis IS, up to 8.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical / 7fps electronic with full AF/AE tracking | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~530 shots (CIPA, NP-FZ100) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 723g (body with battery and card) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 131.3 × 96.9 × 82.8mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 9.44M-dot, up to 120fps | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2-inch 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen, 3.69M-dot | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots — CFexpress Type A / SD (UHS-II) | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (10Gbps), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.5GbE | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R VI | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
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