Sony A7 II vs Sony A7S II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7 II vs Sony A7S II

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S II.
Compare Sony A7S II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A7S II

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Sony A7S II

Less expensive
$998 vs $2398*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~1.70 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More pixels
24.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Sony A7S II advantages over Sony A7 II

Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 5.97 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7S II test data on DxO Mark A7 II test data on DxO Mark

2,993 vs 2,449 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.
Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.
Read our Sony A7S II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Sony A7S II

Sony A7

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7

Compared to Sony A7S

Sony A7 II

Sony A7S

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1998
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7S

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7S II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7 II

Sony A9

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$3147
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A9

Sony A7S II

Sony A9

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3147
35mm

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Sony A7S II

Sony A7 III

$2398
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7 III

Compare Other Cameras?