A7S IIvs ZV-1 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?
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.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
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
ZV-1 II (2023)
- Vloggers and content creators who want a pocketable fixed-lens camera
- Travellers who want 4K video and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket size
- ZV-1 owners who want a wider lens and improved subject tracking
- Beginners who want a simple, capable vlogging camera without changing lenses
Quick take: The zv-1 ii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the zv-1 ii is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S II (2015) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £649 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 5fps continuous | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 584g body only | 292g |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-I slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S II | ZV-1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Landscape | — |
More comparisons with A7S II
Camera family history