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A7S vs Sony FX5

Quick take: The Sony FX5 has the highest resolution at 17MP; the A7S 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 — Astrophotography & Low-Light: The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.

Who should buy what
A7S (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Astrophotographers
  • Low-light event videographers
  • Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification A7SSony · 2014Sony FX5Sony · 2026
Price £600Best£4,699
Sensor 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS16.6MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Resolution 12.2MP16.6MPBest
Video 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder)5K/60p open-gate, 4K/120p, internal RAW/X-OCN, 10-bit Log, triple base ISO
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF, 25 pointsAI-powered hybrid phase-detect AF (759 points) with subject tracking
Stabilisation No stabilisationIBIS with Dynamic Active Mode
Burst Rate 5fps10fpsBest
Battery Life ~370 shots (CIPA)Best~105 min actual recording, ~170 min continuous (LCD)
Weight 474g (with battery and card)Best734g (with battery and card)
Dimensions 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm—
Weather Sealed YesYes
Viewfinder Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnificationOptional detachable EVF (DVF-EL1), OLED
Screen 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dotsFully articulating touchscreen (4-axis arm)
Mount Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)Sony E-mount
Memory Cards Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slotCFexpress Type A + SDXC (dual)
Connectivity Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFCUSB-C, full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

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
Sony FX5
Portrait
5.3/10
6.9/10
Street
5.7/10
5.3/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.2/10
Wedding & Events
4.3/10
7.0/10
Filmmaking
5.9/10
8.7/10
Documentary
5.6/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
4.8/10
6.8/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.1/10
Wildlife
5.4/10
6.8/10
Casual
3.6/10
5.1/10
Food
4.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
4.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.7/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
6.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10

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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