Sony a7R vs Sony a7R II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 36 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony a7R
65
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 42.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7R II
70
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a7R and Sony a7R II are both mirrorless cameras sharing the Sony FE mount, so either takes the same FE lenses. The a7R arrived in 2013 and the a7R II in 2015. The carry difference favours the a7R. The a7R II weighs 625 g against 465 g, a 160 g increase, and it is deeper at 60 mm against 48 mm, so the a7R packs smaller for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 16, 2013 | June 10, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 127 x 94 x 48 mm | 127 x 96 x 60 mm |
| Camera weight | 465 g | 625 g |
| Optics | 74/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a7R II is the stronger choice for heavy cropping. Its 42.4 MP sensor offers 17.8 per cent more pixels than the a7R's 36 MP, leaving more room to crop a distant subject or print large. Autofocus coverage is much broader too, with 399 points against 25 for subjects away from the centre. Its 5 fps maximum also beats the a7R's 4 fps for brief action bursts. The a7R II also stabilises its sensor in body, so any FE lens can be handheld at slower shutter speeds. The a7R has no sensor shift. Both use the Bionz X processor and a 1/8000 second top shutter speed, and native ISO runs 100 to 25600 on each. The a7R II's expanded ISO reaches 102400, beyond the a7R's expanded 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
36 MP050 | 42.4 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
7360 x 4912 | 7952 x 5304 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 35.9 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony FE | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz X | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
250300 | 3990300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 235900009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a7R II is the camera for 4K recording, which captures far more detail than the a7R's Full HD ceiling and gives editors room to crop or reframe footage. Its video tops out at 30 fps. It also offers the XAVCS recording format alongside AVCHD and MP4. The a7R keeps a frame-rate advantage of its own. Its video reaches 60 fps against the a7R II's 30 fps maximum, suiting smoother motion or slow-motion playback. If slow motion matters more than 4K detail, the original body is the better video pick. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 | XAVCS, AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth give you a 3-inch tilting LCD for waist-level and overhead framing plus Wi-Fi for wireless transfer. Weather sealing and support for external flash are shared too. Neither offers a touchscreen, built-in flash, GPS or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
12300001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a7R holds the battery advantage, rated for 340 shots against the a7R II's 290 under their test conditions, a 50-shot difference. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so one spare and charger can serve either body. Their storage setups are similar. Both have a single card slot for SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick media, and the a7R II also accepts standard Memory Stick Duo. Neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
340 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the a7R II if you shoot handheld in dim interiors, track subjects at weddings or events, or want 4K footage. Its sensor stabilisation, broad autofocus coverage, 42.4 MP resolution and 4K recording make it the more capable body for landscape, portrait and hybrid work.
The a7R still earns its place for a lightweight travel kit. It is the lighter, more compact body and rates higher for battery life on one charge. For stills-first shooting where portability matters, it remains a sound pick.