Sony α7R → Sony a7R II
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Sony a7R II is the direct successor to your Sony α7R, released 2 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: 4K video arrives; in-body stabilisation is added; subject-detection AF is added. The Sony a7R II lists at $3,199 (the Sony α7R launched at $2,299, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Sony a7R II if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 10-bit internal colour and Log for gradable footage.
- ✓You photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks.
- ✓You shoot handheld — in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -2 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Stick with the Sony α7R if…
- •You're budget-conscious — it launched at $2,299, about $900 less, freeing money for lenses.
- •You value portability — at 465g (1.03 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 625g (1.38 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
- •You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed for rain and dust, the other isn't.
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (22 items)
↑ 14 improved · ↓ 3 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony α7R | Sony a7R II |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 36.4 MP | 42.4 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 25600 | 50 – 102400 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 4 fps | 5 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 0 | 399 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -1 EV | -2 EV |
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.71x | 0.78x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Resolution | 0.92M dots | 1.23M dots |
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $2,299 | $3,199 |
| →Dimensions | 126.9×94.4×48.2 mm | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm |
| ↓Weight | 465g (1.03 lb) | 625g (1.38 lb) |
| ↓Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| ↑In-Body Stabilization | No | Yes |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 250 shots | 290 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 270 shots | 340 shots |
What stayed the same (22 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony α7R already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony α7R (keep or buy used)
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Sony a7R II
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony α7R to the Sony a7R II?
The Sony a7R II is the direct successor to your Sony α7R, released 2 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 14 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: 4K video arrives; in-body stabilisation is added; subject-detection AF is added. The Sony a7R II lists at $3,199 (the Sony α7R launched at $2,299, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Sony a7R II over the Sony α7R?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a7R II improves 14 items. The most significant: it brings 10-bit internal colour and Log for gradable footage. it adds AF subject detection for animals that the other body lacks. in-body stabilisation lets you use slower shutter speeds and steadies video, which the other body can't do without a stabilised lens. AF that focuses down to -2 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What does the Sony α7R still do just as well as the Sony a7R II?
22 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (BIONZ X), lens mount (Sony E), iso range (native) (100 – 25600), mechanical shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a7R II give anything up compared to the Sony α7R?
Yes — 3 items on the spec sheet move the other way: price (msrp) ($2,299 → $3,199), weight (465g (1.03 lb) → 625g (1.38 lb)), weather sealed (Yes → No).