Full-Frame Mirrorless Monsters Comparison: Sony a7RII vs a7SII

In 2015, Sony released two full frame mirrorless monsters: Sony a7RII and Sony a7SII. Both are amazing cameras, but if we put them together: Sony a7RII vs a7SII, what’s the result? That would be interesting!

Sony A7RII ($3,198 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama): The hot Sony A7RII mirrorless camera features the world’s first full-frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated structure CMOS sensor. This sensor design both improves low-light operation and speeds up data throughout, enabling fast high-resolution stills and UHD 4K video recording. The new Sony a7RII is a true Game-changer, and DPReview said “Sony’s Alpha 7R II breaks a lot of new ground in terms of photographic technology “. And lots of news said the new Sony a7RII is amazing and it is the killer of Canon EOS 5DS R and it can even beat the Nikon D810.

Sony A7SII ($2,998 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama): Sony A7SII is the new “low-light monster” camera. Revolving around a full-frame 12.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, the a7SII is capable of internal UHD 4K recording at 30 fps with full pixel readout as well as 1080p recording at up to 120 fps, all in the XAVC S format. Benefitting recording versatility, the BIONZ X image processor also pairs with the sensor to enable expanded sensitivity to ISO 409600 along with fast intelligent autofocus with low-light sensitivity to -4 EV. Further enabling working in difficult lighting conditions, 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization compensates for vertical, horizontal, pitch, yaw, and roll camera movements for sharper, smoother handheld recording.

Sony a7SII vs Sony a7RII Specs & Size Comparison

Feature a7SII a7RII
Sensor Resolution 12.2 MP 42.4 MP
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor Size 35.6 x 23.8 mm 35.9 x 24 mm
Sensor Type Full Frame Full Frame
SteadyShot INSIDE (image stabilization) 5-axis optical image stabilization 5-axis optical image stabilization
Image Size 4240 x 2832 7952 x 5304
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Storage Media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Continuous Shooting Speed 5 FPS 5 FPS
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 to 30 sec 1/8000 to 30 sec
ISO Sensitivity Still images: ISO 100-102400 (expandable to ISO 50-409600), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100-102400 equivalent (expandable to ISO 100-409600), AUTO (ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit) Still images: ISO 100-25600 (expandable to ISO 50–102400 for shooting still images), AUTO (ISO 100-6400, selectable lower limit and upper limit)Movies: ISO 100-25600 equivalent, AUTO (ISO 100-6400 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit)
Autofocus System 169 points 399 points
Recording Format XAVC S / AVCHD / MP4 XAVC S / AVCHD / MP4
Movie Size
  • XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160
  • MP4: 1920 x 1080
  • XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160
  • MP4: 1920 x 1080
High Frame Rate Recording 1920 x 1080 (24p/12Mbps, 30p/16Mbps)
Picture Profile Yes (Off / PP1-PP9) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode (Movie, Still, Cinema, Pro, ITU709 Matrix, White&Black, S-Gamut, S-Gamut3.Cine, S-Gamut3), Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset Yes (Off/PP1-PP7) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset
Clean HDMI output 3840 x 2160 (30p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60i), YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit 3840 x 2160 (30p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60i), YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit
LCD Size 3″ Tilting TFT-LCD 3″ Tilting TFT-LCD
LCD Resolution 1,228,800 dots 1,228,800 dots
AWB micro adjustment G7 to M7 (57 steps), A7 to B7 (29 steps) G7 to M7 (57 steps), A7 to B7 (29 steps)
Exposure compensation +/-5.0 EV (in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps), with exposure compensation dial: +/-3.0 EV (in 1/3 EV steps) +/-5.0 EV (in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps), with exposure compensation dial: +/-3.0 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing Bracket: Single/Bracket: Cont., 3/5/9 frames selectable. With 3 or 5 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 EV increments, with 9 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1.0 EV increments. Bracket: Single/Bracket: Cont., 3/5/9 frames selectable. With 3 or 5 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 EV increments, with 9 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1.0 EV increments.
New Gamma Display Assist function Yes (This new function lets you view images with natural contrast while recording in S-Log gamma setting, converting S-Log2 and S-Log3 into ITU709 (800%) gamma for monitoring*8 images or checking focus while enlarging an image, on the LCD screen or viewfinder.)
Built-in Wi-Fi Yes Yes
Shutter Durability 500,000 500,000
Battery NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Battery Life 310 shots (CIPA) 290 shots (CIPA)
USB Version 2.0 2.0
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60 mm 127 x 96 x 60 mm
Weight 627g 625g

Mirrorlessons posted the Sony a7RII va a7SII comparison and he writes:

If low-light situations are what you find yourself encountering on a daily basis, then the A7s II can become a better option if you know you will frequently use it between 6400 and 51200 ISO. If you work with Sony cameras already, it can also become an excellent second body for stills in poor light.

My opinion of these two cameras isn’t the same for video. While the A7r II has excellent 4K capabilities, the A7s II was born to shoot movies above all else and the footage I recorded with it is among the most beautiful I’ve seen from a mirrorless camera. More than for photographers, this camera is a great tool for filmmakers. However if your video needs are not that desperate, the quality of the A7r II is more than enough.

And below are some video comparison of Sony A7Rii vs Sony A7Sii

Sony A7Rii vs Sony A7Sii: 5 Things To Know

Sony A7r II vs A7s II: comparison for video

Store links:

Sony a7RII: $3,198 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Sony a7SII: $2,998 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Note: If you are a Sony Camera User, you can now join the Sony Camera Users Facebook Group to share your Sony photography and advice, ask and answer questions that arise and help each others!

Sony Camera Users: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SonyCameraUsers