• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7S advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 5.97 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,702 vs 2,449 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • 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

Sony A7 II advantages over Sony A7S

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $1998*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

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 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.

  • 4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

  • 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).

The Competition

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A7S
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More pixels
Sony A7 II
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7S
Sony A7
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A7S
Sony A7S II
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A7 II
Sony A7S II
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Sony A7 II
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7S
Sony A7 III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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