Request a product

Sony Alpha 7 vs Sony Alpha 7S

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7SonyAlpha 7S
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2013June 2014
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeExmor CMOSExmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.8 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP12.2 MP
Largest image6000 × 40004240 × 2832
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–102400
Sensor detailApproximately 24.7 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and ultrasonic dust reductionApproximately 12.4 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and ultrasonic dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3; 14-bit RAW outputJPEG and RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); 14-bit RAW output; XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 and MP4 movies
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 100–102400; extended ISO 50–80 and 128000–409600; movie extended range reaches ISO 409600. UK support combines standard and extended settings, so the standard range follows Sony Japan's explicit specification.
Image processorBIONZ XBIONZ X
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
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.Interchangeable E-mount; full-frame FE lenses use the whole sensor; APS-C lenses can use a lower-resolution crop. ILCE-7S is supplied without a lens.
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 AFContrast-detection AF with 25 points; maker detection range EV -4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; AF-S, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; Lock-on AF and Eye AF
ShutterElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 secondElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with Sony flash; electronic first curtain and silent electronic shutter selectable
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 5 fps Speed Priority Continuous or 2.5 fps normal continuous; maker speed-priority buffer approximately 30 RAW or 25 RAW+JPEG images. Photography Blog states speed priority fixes focus and exposure at the first frame, while normal continuous can update both.
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible OSS lensNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible stabilised lens
FlashNo built-in flash; external flash uses the Multi Interface ShoeNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, scene modes, Sweep Panorama, DRO and Auto HDR1200-zone evaluative metering; program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; exposure compensation ±5 EV, or ±3 EV using the dedicated dial
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.Internal Japanese/NTSC Full HD up to 1920 × 1080 at 60p, 30p or 24p in XAVC S at 50 Mbps; PAL modes include 50p/25p. 1280 × 720 at 120p NTSC automatically crops to APS-C; PAL offers 100p. 4K 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p is HDMI output only and needs a compatible external recorder; 8-bit 4:2:2. S-Log2, timecode, zebra and recording-control features; approximately 29-minute internal clip limit.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; recording-level adjustment and audio-level displayBuilt-in stereo microphone; LPCM, Dolby Digital or AAC by recording format; adjustable levels; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; compatible optional shoe-mounted XLR adaptor
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTFT screen tilts approximately 90° up or 45° down; dots count colour subpixelsLCD tilts approximately 90° upwards and 45° downwards; no touchscreen
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-type OLED; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.71× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)340 photographs380 photographs
Body weight416 g446 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 20 June 2014 retail availability for ILCE-7S. This is the original 12.2 MP Alpha 7S, not a later 7S or the higher-resolution 7/7R families.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC including UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG DuoSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo; XAVC S requires Class 10 SDXC
PortsMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, Multi Interface ShoeMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI Type D, Multi Interface Shoe, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and vertical-grip connector
Wireless connectionsBuilt-in Wi-Fi and NFCWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC One-touch remote/sharing
Battery life detailNP-FW50; Sony Japan claims approximately 340 photographs using the monitor or 270 using the viewfinder under CIPA conditionsNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 380 photographs using LCD or 320 using viewfinder
ChargingUSB charging in the cameraIn-camera USB charging; optional AC-PW20 external power adaptor
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 × 94.4 × 54.8 mm from grip to viewfinder; 48.2 mm depth from grip to monitor
Weight detailApproximately 416 g body only; 474 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; both exclude the lensApproximately 446 g body only; 489 g with battery and media; both exclude lens
In the box–Sony Japan lists two NP-FW50 batteries, BC-TRW charger, AC-UUD11 adaptor, cable protector, strap, USB cable, body/shoe caps and eyepiece cup. TechRadar reports one battery in its UK/Australian package; contents vary by region.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top cover and internal structure; dust- and moisture-resistant design, not a waterproof rating–

More comparisons