Sony
Alpha 7 II
First affordable IBIS full-frame mirrorless that changed the industry.
$1,999
Released Nov 2014
Sony
Alpha 7S III
12MP low-light video specialist with 4K 120p, 16-bit RAW HDMI, and excellent autofocus.
$3,499
Released Sep 2020
Alpha 7S III is 5.8 years newer.
Wins
Alpha 7 II
Wins
Alpha 7S III
2 categories tied
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 117)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,359,296)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 7 II
127 × 96 × 60 mm
599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
Alpha 7S III
129 × 97 × 81 mm
699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)
Alpha 7 II is 2mm narrower, 1mm shorter, and 21mm thinner than Alpha 7S III.
Alpha 7 II is 100 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 7 II · 81mm Alpha 7S III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 II
35.8 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
856 mm² area
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7S III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.7, 59.7
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Resolution
24.3 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD, MP4
Weight
599 g vs 699 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7S III
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 117 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,359,296 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7 II
Pros
- ✓Historic IBIS FF
- ✓Affordable used
- ✓Huge lens catalog
Cons
- –Very dated AF
- –No 4K
- –Superseded many times
Alpha 7S III
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class low light
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓Full-size HDMI
- ✓Strong IBIS
Cons
- –12MP stills limit
- –Older generation now
- –No 8K
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 7 II or Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7S III scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for Alpha 7 II — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 II is 24.3 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7 II has 4.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 II or the Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 II reaches 5 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 II weighs 599 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7 II is 100 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?
Alpha 7 II: Full HD. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7 II and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?
Alpha 7 II: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 II and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7S III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7 II launched at $1,999 and Alpha 7S III at $3,499. The Alpha 7 II is $1,500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.