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Sony

Alpha 7 II

First affordable IBIS full-frame mirrorless that changed the industry.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Nov 2014

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 6.9 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

Alpha 7 II

PortraitTravel

Wins

14categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7 II wins 0 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 5 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 60 frames)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 117)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7 IIAlpha 7 IV
Resolution24.3 MP33 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max25,60051,200
Burst5 fps10 fps
IBIS4.5-stop5.5-stop
Weight599 g658 g
Battery350 shots580 shots
4K60 fps

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7 II

127 × 96 × 60 mm

599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Alpha 7 II is 4mm narrower, 1mm shorter, and 20mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.

Alpha 7 II is 59 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 7 II · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Alpha 7 II

127 × 96 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Alpha 7 II

127 × 60 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7 II

35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

856 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7 II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAlpha 7 IIAlpha 7 IV
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
2.0Limited
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
3.0Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
6.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
7.5Good✓ wins
7.0Good
Wildlife
1.5Limited
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.9, 95.7, 59.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD, MP4

  • Weight

    599 g vs 658 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • AF low-light limit

    -4 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    60 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 117 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Animal, Bird, Insect…

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 7 II

Pros

  • Historic IBIS FF
  • Affordable used
  • Huge lens catalog

Cons

  • Very dated AF
  • No 4K
  • Superseded many times

Alpha 7 IV

Pros

  • 33MP — more detail for cropping and print
  • 10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • 759 phase-detect AF points

Cons

  • 4K 60p requires Super35 crop
  • 10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
  • Complex menu system

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7 II
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
24.3 MP
33 MP+36%
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.8 × 23.9 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7 II
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
BIONZ X
BIONZ XR
Alpha 7 II
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
51,200+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
51,200
204,800
Alpha 7 II
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic first curtain
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7 II or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for Alpha 7 II — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 II is 24.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 II or the Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 II reaches 5 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 II weighs 599 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 II is 59 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Alpha 7 II: Full HD. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Alpha 7 II: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 II and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7 II launched at $1,999 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 II is $500 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 II vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.