Sony
Alpha 7R
36MP no-AA-filter full-frame mirrorless for landscape and studio — launched the high-res mirrorless era.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Oct 2013
Sony
Alpha 7R II
Historic 42MP mirrorless that proved high-resolution full-frame could work.
$3,199
Launch priceReleased Jun 2015
Alpha 7R II is 1.7 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7R
Wins
Alpha 7R II
7 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7R has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 5 fps)
- AAlpha 7R has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 290 shots)
- AAlpha 7R has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- AAlpha 7R has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AAlpha 7R has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 399)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 7R
127 × 94 × 48 mm
465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7R II
127 × 96 × 60 mm
625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
Alpha 7R is 1mm shorter and 12mm thinner than Alpha 7R II.
Alpha 7R is 160 g lighter than Alpha 7R II.
Depth (front-to-back): 48mm Alpha 7R · 60mm Alpha 7R II
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7R
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 7R II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7R
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R 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 7R
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Subject recognition
Adds Animal, Bird, Vehicle
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 94.4, 48.2
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 290 shots — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Alpha 7R supports it
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 7R supports it
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R II
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 95.7, 60.3
AA filter
Only Alpha 7R II supports it
Resolution
42.4 MP vs 36.4 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7R
Pros
- ✓36MP no AA filter
- ✓Compact high-res body
- ✓Historic significance
- ✓Great used value
Cons
- –Slow AF
- –No IBIS
- –Very dated ergonomics
Alpha 7R II
Pros
- ✓42MP milestone
- ✓5-axis IBIS
- ✓Historic importance
Cons
- –Very dated AF
- –Old video
- –Superseded many times
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7R
Sony Alpha 7R II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7R or Alpha 7R II?
Alpha 7R scores 9.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for Alpha 7R II — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II?
Alpha 7R is 36.4 MP and Alpha 7R II is 42.4 MP, so the Alpha 7R II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7R has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7R II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7R or the Alpha 7R II?
Alpha 7R reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7R II reaches 5 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II?
Alpha 7R weighs 465 g and Alpha 7R II weighs 625 g, so the Alpha 7R is 160 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II record 4K video?
Alpha 7R: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7R II: 4K up to 30p.
Are the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7R II weather sealed?
Alpha 7R: Yes. Alpha 7R II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7R and 290 shots for the Alpha 7R II, giving the Alpha 7R the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7R launched at $2,299 and Alpha 7R II at $3,199. The Alpha 7R is $900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7R vs Alpha 7R II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.