Sony a7S vs Sony a5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Sony a5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2014.

Camera Released
Sony a7S 2014
Sony a5000 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a5000 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7S 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a5000 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a7S has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a5000 has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7S 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Sony a5000 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632

Sony a5000 has a 65 % larger resolution than Sony a7S. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a7S has a larger ISO-range than Sony a5000. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Sony a5000 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S 10-102400
Sony a5000 100-16000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7S
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a5000

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a5000 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S 5
Sony a5000 3,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a7S and Sony a5000 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a7S weighs 489 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 82% heavier than Sony a5000 and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S 489 gr
1.08 lb
Sony a5000 269 gr
0.59 lb

Sony a7S vs Sony a5000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S and Sony a5000, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Name Sony a7S Sony a5000
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Release Year 2014 2014
Release Date 2014-04-06 2014-01-07
MSRP 2499 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 20 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Image
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
ISO Range 10 - 102400 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 10 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 25
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 460
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Frames per second 5 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 4 meters
External Flash Yes No
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone)
Yes
Built-in (802.11 b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S
Sony a5000
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 420 shots
Width 127 mm 110 mm
Height 94 mm 63 mm
Depth 48 mm 36 mm
Weight 489 gram 269 gram