Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Sony
Alpha 7S II
12MP low-light video pioneer before the A7S III revolution.
$2,999
Released Sep 2015
Alpha 7 IV is 6.1 years newer.
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
Wins
Alpha 7S II
5 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- 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
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
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
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 lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7S II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
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
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 filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both 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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
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.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.