Sony
Alpha 7S
12MP low-light video legend that changed indie filmmaking with incredible high ISO performance.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Apr 2014
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 priceReleased Aug 2026
FX5 is 12.3 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S
Wins
FX5
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7S has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 7S has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 7S has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- AAlpha 7S has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
- BFX5 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 7S
127 × 94 × 48 mm
489 g (1.08 lb / 17.25 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
Alpha 7S is 5mm narrower and 39mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 15mm taller.
Alpha 7S is 245 g lighter than FX5.
Depth (front-to-back): 48mm Alpha 7S · 87mm FX5
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 7S
127 × 94 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX5
132 × 79 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 7S
127 × 48 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
FX5
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7S
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FX5
✓ 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 7S
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
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 7S supports it
Weight
489 g vs 734 g — lower is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
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
Codecs
Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF resolution
7,070,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Resolution
16.6 MP vs 12.2 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.9 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7S
Pros
- ✓Legendary low light
- ✓12MP optimized for video
- ✓Full-frame
- ✓Historic video body
Cons
- –12MP for stills
- –No IBIS
- –Superseded by a7S series
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 7S and FX5 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7S or FX5?
Alpha 7S scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FX5 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S and FX5?
Alpha 7S is 12.2 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the FX5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S 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 7S and FX5?
Alpha 7S weighs 489 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the Alpha 7S is 245 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S and FX5 record 4K video?
Alpha 7S: 4K up to 60p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7S and FX5 weather sealed?
Alpha 7S: Yes. FX5: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S launched at $2,499 and FX5 at $4,899. The Alpha 7S is $2,400 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S 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.