Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a7S II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5R and Sony a7S II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-5R were released 2012 and Sony a7S II was released 2015. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5R 2012
Sony a7S II 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5R has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Sony a7S II has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 NEX-5R 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a7S II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 NEX-5R has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7S II has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5R 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a7S II 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832

Sony NEX-5R has a 34 % larger resolution than Sony a7S II. 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 II has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5R. Sony a7S II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony NEX-5R has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5R 100-25600
Sony a7S II 100-102400

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 NEX-5R
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7S II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5R can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a7S II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5R 10
Sony a7S II 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-5R and Sony a7S II 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 II weighs 627 gr (equal to 1.38 lb) which is 127% heavier than Sony NEX-5R and its 276 gr (or 0.61 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5R 276 gr
0.61 lb
Sony a7S II 627 gr
1.38 lb

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a7S II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5R and Sony a7S II, 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 NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Name Sony NEX-5R Sony a7S II
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Release Year 2012 2015
Release Date 2012-08-29 2015-09-11
MSRP 649 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4240 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz X
Image
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 169
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1228800
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Frames per second 10 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format AVCHD
MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Optional RMT-DSLR1)
Yes (wired or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5R
Sony a7S II
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 370 shots
Width 111 mm 127 mm
Height 59 mm 96 mm
Depth 39 mm 60 mm
Weight 276 gram 627 gram