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Sony Alpha 7 vs Sony Alpha 7 II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7SonyAlpha 7 II
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2013December 2014
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.8 × 23.9 mm35.8 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP24.3 MP
Largest image6000 × 40006000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–25600
Sensor detailApproximately 24.7 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and ultrasonic dust reductionApproximately 24.7 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor.
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3; 14-bit RAW outputJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3; the current maker specification includes uncompressed RAW.
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–25600; expanded ISO 50. Multi Frame NR offers ISO 51200 by combining images, rather than extending the standard single-image range.Standard still-image ISO 100–25600; expanded ISO 50, 64 and 80. Multi Shot NR reaches ISO 51200 by combining images rather than extending the standard single-image range.
Image processorBIONZ XBIONZ X.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps5 fps
Lens detailInterchangeable E-mount; full-frame FE lenses use the whole sensor, while APS-C lenses use a crop. ILCE-7K includes FE 28–70mm F3.5–5.6 OSS; the photograph shows this kit.–
AutofocusFast Hybrid AF; 117 phase-detection and 25 contrast-detection points in full-frame mode; single AF, continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; Eye AF and Lock-on AFFast Hybrid AF with 117 phase-detection points in full-frame mode and 25 contrast-detection points; single AF, continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus.
ShutterElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 secondFocal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; electronic first curtain can be enabled or disabled.
Burst detailApproximately 5 fps Speed Priority Continuous or 2.5 fps normal continuous shooting. Sony's original ILCE-7/7R Help Guide states that speed-priority focus normally fixes at the first image, but specifically permits phase-detection AF with Continuous AF on the ILCE-7; exposure behaviour depends on AEL-with-shutter settings. Speed and tracking depend on shooting conditions and lens compatibility. Sony specifies a speed-priority buffer of 25 RAW or 23 RAW+JPEG photographs.Up to approximately 5 fps in Continuous Hi with AF/AE tracking, according to Sony's announcement; approximately 2.5 fps in Continuous Lo. Speed varies with shooting conditions and the memory card.
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible OSS lensFive-axis image-sensor shift; Sony claims 4.5 stops under CIPA conditions for pitch/yaw with Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on the lens.
FlashNo built-in flash; external flash uses the Multi Interface Shoe–
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, scene modes, Sweep Panorama, DRO and Auto HDR–
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailAVCHD Full HD 60p/24p on the Japanese model; PAL versions offer 50p/25p. Interlaced 60i/50i modes are separate from progressive frame rates. MP4 recording also available. HDMI 4K output is for still-image playback, not 4K movie recording.Japanese specification lists XAVC S Full HD 60p, 30p and 24p at approximately 50 Mbps. The headline maximum reflects this NTSC/Japanese mode; no 4K movie recording. S-Log2 picture profiles and clean HDMI output are supported.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; recording-level adjustment and audio-level displayBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,6001,228,800
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTFT screen tilts approximately 90° up or 45° down; dots count colour subpixelsTFT screen tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; dots count colour subpixels.
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch XGA OLED Tru-Finder; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.71× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity0.5-inch XGA OLED Tru-Finder; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage and approximately 0.71× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)340 photographs350 photographs
Body weight416 g556 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 15 November 2013 for the original ILCE-7 body and ILCE-7K kit, following its 16 October announcement. This is not the higher-resolution Alpha 7R or a later Alpha 7 generation.Sony Japan specifies 5 December 2014 for the ILCE-7M2 body, following its 20 November announcement; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC including UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG DuoSD, SDHC and SDXC including UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo.
PortsMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, Multi Interface ShoeMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsBuilt-in Wi-Fi and NFCWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC.
Battery life detailNP-FW50; Sony Japan claims approximately 340 photographs using the monitor or 270 using the viewfinder under CIPA conditionsNP-FW50; Sony's UK specification gives up to approximately 350 photographs.
ChargingUSB charging in the camera–
DimensionsApproximately 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2 mm (width × height × depth) in Sony's launch table; the Japanese specification also gives 54.8 mm from grip to viewfinder, versus 48.2 mm from grip to monitorApproximately 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7 mm (width × height × depth), according to Sony's launch specification.
Weight detailApproximately 416 g body only; 474 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; both exclude the lensApproximately 556 g body only; 599 g with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top cover and internal structure; dust- and moisture-resistant design, not a waterproof ratingMagnesium-alloy top and front covers and internal structure; dust- and moisture-resistant design, not a waterproof rating.
In the box–Power cord, NP-FW50 battery, AC adaptor, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony UK.

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