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Alpha 7R

Sony

Alpha 7R

36MP no-AA-filter full-frame mirrorless for landscape and studio — launched the high-res mirrorless era.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Oct 2013

vs
FX5

Sony

FX5

2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.

$4,899

Launch price

Released Aug 2026

FX5 is 12.8 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

Alpha 7R

WildlifePortrait

Wins

7categories

FX5

Video & HybridPortrait

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7R wins 3 categories·FX5 wins 2 categories
  • AAlpha 7R has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
  • AAlpha 7R has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BFX5 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 25)
  • AAlpha 7R has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
  • BFX5 has higher EVF resolution (7,070,000 vs 2,400,000)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7RFX5
Resolution36.4 MP16.6 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60012,800
Burst20 fps
4K60 fps120 fps
IBIS7-stop5.5-stop
Weight465 g734 g

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7R front view

Alpha 7R

127 × 94 × 48 mm

465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FX5 front view

FX5

132 × 79 × 87 mm

734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)

Alpha 7R is 5mm narrower and 39mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 15mm taller.

Alpha 7R is 269 g lighter than FX5.

Depth (front-to-back): 48mm Alpha 7R · 87mm FX5

Back view, to scale

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

Alpha 7R back view

Alpha 7R

127 × 94 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

FX5 back view

FX5

132 × 79 mm

Top view, to scale

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

Alpha 7R top view

Alpha 7R

127 × 48 mm

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

FX5 top view

FX5

132 × 87 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7R

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

FX5

35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

850 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7R

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

FX5

✓ 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 7RFX5
Portrait
8.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
7.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Travel
7.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
5.0Fair
Vlogging
7.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7R

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.9, 94.4, 48.2

  • ISO min (native)

    100 vs 800 — lower is better

  • Resolution

    36.4 MP vs 16.6 MP — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Alpha 7R supports it

  • Weight

    465 g vs 734 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

FX5

  • AF low-light limit

    -6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 25 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2…

  • EVF resolution

    7,070,000 vs 2,400,000 — higher is better

  • Battery capacity

    2670 mAh vs 1080 mAh — higher is better

  • AA filter

    Only FX5 supports it

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • RAW buffer depthBoth 120 frames
  • 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 7R

Pros

  • 36MP no AA filter
  • Compact high-res body
  • Historic significance
  • Great used value

Cons

  • Slow AF
  • No IBIS
  • Very dated ergonomics

FX5

Pros

  • 5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
  • Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
  • 15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
  • 5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
  • Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots

Cons

  • Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
  • Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
  • 4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
  • No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7R and FX5 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7R
FX5
Resolution
36.4 MP2.2× more
16.6 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame fully-stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 24.0 mm
35.7 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Alpha 7R
FX5
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ XR2 with integrated AI processing unit
Alpha 7R
FX5
ISO min (native)
100−700 less
800
ISO max (native)
25,600+1 stop
12,800
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
409,600
Alpha 7R
FX5
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7R or FX5?

Alpha 7R scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FX5 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7R and FX5?

Alpha 7R is 36.4 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the Alpha 7R captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7R and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7R has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7R and FX5?

Alpha 7R weighs 465 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the Alpha 7R is 269 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7R and FX5 record 4K video?

Alpha 7R: 4K up to 60p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.

Are the Alpha 7R and FX5 weather sealed?

Alpha 7R: Yes. FX5: Yes.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7R launched at $2,299 and FX5 at $4,899. The Alpha 7R is $2,600 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7R vs FX5 vs X comparison.

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

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.