Fujifilm X100V vs Sony A7S II

The Fujifilm X100V and the Sony Alpha 7S II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2020 and September 2015. The X100V is a fixed lens compact, while the A7S II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (X100V) and a full frame (A7S II) sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 26 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 12 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X100V		Sony A7S II
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
35mm f/2.0		Sony E mount lenses
26 MP, APS-C Sensor		12 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 160-12,800 (80 - 51,200)		ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 409,600)
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1620k dots		3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
11 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
no shake reduction		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
420 shots per battery charge		370 shots per battery charge
128 x 75 x 53 mm, 478 g		127 x 96 x 60 mm, 627 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X100V and the Sony Alpha 7S II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100V and the Sony A7S II. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X100V can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the A7S II is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7S II is notably larger (27 percent) than the Fujifilm X100V. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X100V has a lens built in, whereas the A7S II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the A7S II and their specifications in the Sony FE Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X100V gets 420 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the A7S II can take 370 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,399
2.		Sony A7S II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	627 g	370	Y	Sep 2015	2,999
3.		Canon RP	133 mm	85 mm	70 mm	485 g	250	n	Feb 2019	1,299
4.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	497 g	440	Y	Oct 2019	1,799
6.		Fujifilm X-T3	133 mm	93 mm	59 mm	539 g	390	Y	Sep 2018	1,499
7.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
8.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	1,699
9.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	1,599
10.		Fujifilm X100T	127 mm	74 mm	52 mm	440 g	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299
11.		Sigma fp	113 mm	70 mm	45 mm	422 g	280	Y	Jul 2019	1,899
12.		Sony A7S III	127 mm	97 mm	81 mm	699 g	600	Y	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A6600	120 mm	67 mm	69 mm	503 g	810	Y	Aug 2019	1,399
14.		Sony A7R III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A7R II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199
16.		Sony A7 II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	599 g	350	Y	Nov 2014	1,999
17.		Sony A7S	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	489 g	380	Y	Apr 2014	2,499
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X100V was launched at a lower price than the A7S II, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X100V features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A7S II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7S II is 130 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Fujifilm X100V offers a higher resolution of 26 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the Sony A7S II. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 8.40μm for the A7S II). However, it should be noted that the X100V is much more recent (by 4 years and 4 months) than the A7S II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the X100V has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm X100V implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X100V for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 31.2 x 20.8 inches or 79.2 x 52.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 25 x 16.6 inches or 63.4 x 42.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 52.8 x 35.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A7S II are 21.2 x 14.2 inches or 53.8 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.1 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.1 x 9.4 inches or 35.9 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The X100V has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Fujifilm X100V has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha 7S II are ISO 100 to ISO 102400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-409600.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony A7S II	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	4K/30p	23.6	13.3	2993	85
3.		Canon RP	Full Frame	26.2	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Fujifilm X-T3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
7.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
9.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
11.		Sigma fp	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
12.		Sony A7S III	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	4K/120p	23.7	13.9	2520	86
13.		Sony A6600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.4	1497	82
14.		Sony A7R III	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	14.7	3523	100
15.		Sony A7R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	13.9	3434	98
16.		Sony A7 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.9	13.6	2449	90
17.		Sony A7S	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	1080/60p	23.9	13.2	3702	87

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the X100V offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the A7S II (3690k vs 2400k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X100V and Sony A7S II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0	1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0	Y	n
2.		Sony A7S II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
3.		Canon RP	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	n	n
4.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0	Y	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	3690	n	3.0	1620	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T3	3690	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
7.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0	1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
9.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
10.		Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
11.		Sigma fp	none	n	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	n
12.		Sony A7S III	9440	n	3.0	1440	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Sony A6600	2359	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Sony A7R II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A7 II	2400	n	3.0	1230	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
17.		Sony A7S	2400	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The X100V has one, while the A7S II does not. While the built-in flash of the X100V is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X100V has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The X100V writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A7S II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X100V and Sony Alpha 7S II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
2.		Sony A7S II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon RP	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	-	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-T3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Sigma fp	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	-	-	-
12.		Sony A7S III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
13.		Sony A6600	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	YES	2.0	Y	Y	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony A7R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony A7 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A7S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

The X100V is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Fujifilm. In contrast, the A7S II has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the A7S II was succeeded by the Sony A7S III. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Sony websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X100V and the Sony A7S II? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Fujifilm X100V:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (26 vs 12MP) with a 47% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3690k vs 2400k dots).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 1229k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the A7S II requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (128x75mm vs 127x96mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A7S II).
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (420 versus 370) on a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 4 months of technical progress since the A7S II launch.

Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha 7S II:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.52x).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2015).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X100V is the clear winner of the match-up (17 : 9 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X100V and the Sony A7S II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X100V and the A7S II in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	1,399
2.		Sony A7S II	5/5	+	..	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2015	2,999
3.		Canon RP	4/5	+	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	1,299
4.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	4/5	+	85/100	4/5	..	Oct 2019	1,799
6.		Fujifilm X-T3	5/5	+ +	88/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2018	1,499
7.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
8.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	1,699
9.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	1,599
10.		Fujifilm X100T	5/5	+	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299
11.		Sigma fp	4/5	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2019	1,899
12.		Sony A7S III	..	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	3,499
13.		Sony A6600	4/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2019	1,399
14.		Sony A7R III	..	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A7R II	5/5	+ +	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199
16.		Sony A7 II	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Nov 2014	1,999
17.		Sony A7S	4/5	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2014	2,499
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Fujifilm X100V vs Sony A7S II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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