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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

vs

Sony

Alpha 7S II

12MP low-light video pioneer before the A7S III revolution.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2015

Alpha 7 IV is 6.1 years newer.

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Wins

11categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

Wins

2categories

Alpha 7S II

PortraitTravel

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7 IV wins 4 categories·Alpha 7S II wins 1 categories
  • AAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
  • AAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 169)
  • AAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
  • AAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 12.2 MP)
  • BAlpha 7S II has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7 IVAlpha 7S II
Resolution33 MP12.2 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,200102,400
Burst10 fps5 fps
4K60 fps30 fps
IBIS5.5-stop4.5-stop
Weight658 g627 g
Battery580 shots310 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 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 7S II

127 × 96 × 60 mm

627 g (1.38 lb / 22.12 oz)

Alpha 7 IV is 4mm wider, 1mm taller, and 20mm thicker than Alpha 7S II.

Alpha 7 IV is 31 g heavier than Alpha 7S II.

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

Back view, to scale

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

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7S II

127 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

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

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7S II

127 × 60 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Alpha 7S II

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7S II

✓ 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 IVAlpha 7S II
Portrait
9.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good✓ wins
1.5Limited
Video & Hybrid
7.5Good✓ wins
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.5Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Travel
7.0Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
8.0Excellent✓ wins
2.5Limited
Vlogging
8.0Excellent✓ wins
6.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • 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 120 frames — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Animal, Bird, Insect…

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 169 — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better

  • Resolution

    33 MP vs 12.2 MP — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7S II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.9, 95.7, 60.3

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD, MP4

  • Weight

    627 g vs 658 g — lower 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 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

Alpha 7S II

Pros

  • Legendary low light
  • 4K internal
  • Compact files

Cons

  • 12MP stills limit
  • Old AF
  • 8-bit 4K

Decided which one is right for you?

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7S II
Resolution
33 MP2.7× more
12.2 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Full Frame Exmor CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 23.9 mm
35.6 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7S II
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ X
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7S II
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200
102,400+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
409,600
Alpha 7 IV
Alpha 7S II
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

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

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for Alpha 7S II — Bird AF subject recognition.

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

Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and Alpha 7S II is 12.2 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

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

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

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

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

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

Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and Alpha 7S II weighs 627 g, so the Alpha 7S II is 31 g lighter.

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

Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7S II: 4K up to 30p.

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

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

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 310 shots for the Alpha 7S II, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

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

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

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

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

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.