A7S IIvs Sony FX30
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?
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.
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
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
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 a7s ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S II (2015) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 5fps continuous | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 584g body only | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-I slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S II | Sony FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Documentary | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Travel | — |
More comparisons with A7S II
Camera family history