A7Svs Sony RX100 VII
Sony
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
Starting from £1099 new
Best for Travel & versatility
View Sony RX100 VII
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): 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.
Travel & Versatility — Sony RX100 VII (2019): The most versatile compact camera ever made — 24-200mm zoom, 20fps burst, and 960fps slow-motion in a jacket pocket.
Who should buy what
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
- Travel photographers who want the most capable 1-inch compact available
- Vloggers who need fast AF and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket body
- Photographers who want a high-quality compact backup to a mirrorless system
- Anyone who wants professional AF performance without carrying a large camera
Quick take: The sony rx100 vii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the a7s is the most affordable; only the a7s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S (2014) | Sony RX100 VII (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £600 | £1,099 |
| Sensor | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS (stacked) |
| Resolution | 12.2MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) | 4K/30p HLG, FHD/960fps super slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF | 357-point phase-detect + 425 contrast, Eye AF, tracking |
| Stabilisation | None | 3-stop Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 20fps AF/AE tracking (90fps short burst) |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 302g with battery and card |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | Pop-up EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S | Sony RX100 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history