• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-7 advantages over Sony A7

  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    560g vs 769g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7 advantages over Sony NEX-7

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,248 vs 1,016 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 16000 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 panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-7

Review Excerpt

  • 24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.

  • No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Very high resolution; Hybrid autofocus is reasonably fast and confident; Significantly better burst-shooting performance than A7R; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Faster x-sync than A7R; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Grass-is-greener syndrome when compared to its higher-res sibling; Moderate performance; Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Weak low-light autofocus considering its price; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Sony NEX-7
Sony A7R
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A7
Sony A7R
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX200
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Sony A7
Samsung NX200
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Sony NEX-7
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
Sony A7
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX300
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sony A7
Samsung NX300
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony NEX-7
Sony A7 II
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A7
Sony A7 II
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?