Upgrade Guide

Sony A7 II→Sony A1

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

A7 II

£549

2014

→

Upgrade to

Sony

£5999 (+£5,450)

2021

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A7 II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A1

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A7 II	A1
Price	£549	£5,999
Released	2014	2021	↑
Sensor	Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm	50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS
Resolution	24MP	50MP	↑
Video	1080p 60fps	8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	117-point phase-detect hybrid AF	Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops	IBIS — up to 5.5 stops
Burst Rate	5fps	30fps electronic with full AF/AE	↑
Battery Life	350 shots (CIPA)	~430 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	599g (body only)	737g (with battery)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot	EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot	3.0" fully tilting touchscreen
Mount	Sony E-Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See A7 II and A1 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A1 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the A7 II

Related buying guides

Camera family history