A7Rvs A7S II
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, 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.
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 (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
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 has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7R (2013) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £799 |
| Sensor | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 36.4MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 465g (with battery and card) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Architecture | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — | |
| 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