Sony
A7S II 2015
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
£799
list price · used from £400 at eBay
Decision tools · Compare
A7S II vs ZV-E1
Quick take: The A7S II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7S II — Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking: 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.
ZV-E1 — Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers: 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7S IISony · 2015 | ZV-E1Sony · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799Best | £1,779 |
| 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 | Contrast-detect AF, 169 points; 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 | 10fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min videoBest |
| Weight | 584g (body only) | 483g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| 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 SD UHS-II slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
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
A7S II
ZV-E1
Portrait
5.8/10
7.0/10
Street
5.3/10
6.9/10
Travel
5.2/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
5.6/10
6.4/10
Filmmaking
6.2/10
8.0/10
Documentary
5.8/10
8.2/10
Sports & Action
5.2/10
6.4/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.7/10
Wildlife
5.6/10
7.1/10
Casual
3.5/10
5.9/10
Food
5.2/10
7.1/10
Macro
4.8/10
6.7/10
Architecture
4.8/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
6.8/10
7.2/10
Vlogging & Video
—
7.0/10
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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