A7S IIvs ZV-E1
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
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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, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The a7s 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-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 5fps continuous | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 584g body only | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-I slots | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S II | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | ||
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — |
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Camera family history