Decision tools · Compare
A7R vs A7R II
Quick take: The A7R II has the highest resolution at 42MP; the A7R is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 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?
A7R — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: 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.
A7R II — Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography: The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
Who should buy what
A7R (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
A7R II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7RSony · 2013 | A7R IISony · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £420 usedBest |
| Sensor | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 36.4MP | 42.4MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 5fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA)Best | ~290 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 465g (with battery and card)Best | 625g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| 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 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 |
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
A7R
A7R II
Portrait
5.8/10
7.1/10
Street
5.7/10
5.8/10
Travel
5.7/10
5.6/10
Wedding & Events
4.4/10
5.5/10
Documentary
4.9/10
6.1/10
Sports & Action
4.5/10
5.8/10
Landscape
6.3/10
6.4/10
Wildlife
5.4/10
6.7/10
Casual
3.7/10
3.9/10
Food
5.6/10
6.4/10
Macro
5.0/10
5.8/10
Architecture
6.1/10
6.4/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
—
5.9/10
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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