Sony a7S → Sony a7S 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 a7S II is the direct successor to your Sony a7S, released 1 year later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 5 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a7S II lists at $2,999 (the Sony a7S launched at $2,799, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
Upgrade to the Sony a7S II if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 10-bit internal colour.
Stick with the Sony a7S if…
- •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 (10 items)
↑ 5 improved · ↓ 2 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony a7S | Sony a7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Video Capture | ||
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| →Log Profiles | S-Log2 | S-Log2 / S-Log3 / HLG |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.71x | 0.78x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →Bluetooth | v4.0 | v4.2 |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $2,799 | $2,999 |
| →Dimensions | 126.9×94.4×48.2 mm | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm |
| ↓Weight | 566g (1.25 lb) | 584g (1.29 lb) |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 240 shots | 310 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 310 shots | 370 shots |
What stayed the same (36 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony a7S already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony a7S (keep or buy used)
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Sony a7S II
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony a7S to the Sony a7S II?
The Sony a7S II is the direct successor to your Sony a7S, released 1 year later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 5 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a7S II lists at $2,999 (the Sony a7S launched at $2,799, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). The generation gap here is modest — upgrade only if a specific change below solves a real problem in your shooting.
What are the biggest improvements of the Sony a7S II over the Sony a7S?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a7S II improves 5 items. The most significant: it brings 10-bit internal colour.
What does the Sony a7S still do just as well as the Sony a7S II?
36 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor type (CMOS), sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (BIONZ X), effective resolution (12.2 MP), lens mount (Sony E), iso range (native) (100 – 102400). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a7S II give anything up compared to the Sony a7S?
Yes — 2 items on the spec sheet move the other way: price (msrp) ($2,799 → $2,999), weight (566g (1.25 lb) → 584g (1.29 lb)).