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Sony

Alpha 7 III

Classic 24MP hybrid that defined the modern full-frame value proposition.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Feb 2018

vs

Sony

Alpha 7S III

12MP low-light video specialist with 4K 120p, 16-bit RAW HDMI, and excellent autofocus.

$3,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

Alpha 7S III is 2.5 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

Alpha 7 III

TravelPortrait

Wins

10categories

Alpha 7S III

Video & HybridPortrait

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7 III wins 1 categories·Alpha 7S III wins 4 categories
  • BAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
  • BAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
  • BAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,359,296)
  • AAlpha 7 III has higher Resolution (24.2 MP vs 12.1 MP)
  • BAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7 IIIAlpha 7S III
Resolution24.2 MP12.1 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,200102,400
Burst10 fps10 fps
4K30 fps120 fps
IBIS5-stop5.5-stop
Weight650 g699 g
Battery710 shots600 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7 III

127 × 96 × 74 mm

650 g (1.43 lb / 22.93 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7S III

129 × 97 × 81 mm

699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)

Alpha 7 III is 2mm narrower, 1mm shorter, and 7mm thinner than Alpha 7S III.

Alpha 7 III is 49 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.

Depth (front-to-back): 74mm Alpha 7 III · 81mm Alpha 7S III

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7 III

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Alpha 7S III

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7 III

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7S III

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseAlpha 7 IIIAlpha 7S III
Portrait
7.5Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
4.0Fair
5.5Fair✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
7.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Travel
8.5Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Vlogging
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 III

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.9, 95.6, 73.7

  • Resolution

    24.2 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    710 shots vs 600 shots — higher is better

  • Weight

    650 g vs 699 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7S III

  • AF low-light limit

    -6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    9,437,184 vs 2,359,296 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better

  • Internal RAW video

    Only Alpha 7S III supports it

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Burst (mechanical)Both 10 fps
  • Burst (electronic)Both 10 fps

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 7 III

Pros

  • Proven reliability
  • Great battery life
  • Strong value used
  • Dual card slots

Cons

  • Older AF vs newer bodies
  • 4K 30p only
  • No 10-bit internal

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

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7 III
Alpha 7S III
Resolution
24.2 MP2× more
12.1 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.6 × 23.8 mm
35.6 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7 III
Alpha 7S III
Processor
BIONZ X
BIONZ XR
Alpha 7 III
Alpha 7S III
ISO min (native)
100
80−20 less
ISO max (native)
51,200
102,400+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
409,600
Alpha 7 III
Alpha 7S III
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Alpha 7 III or Alpha 7S III?

Alpha 7S III scores 8.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for Alpha 7 III — 4K recording.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III?

Alpha 7 III is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7 III has 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 III or the Alpha 7S III?

Alpha 7 III reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III?

Alpha 7 III weighs 650 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7 III is 49 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?

Alpha 7 III: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.

Are the Alpha 7 III and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?

Alpha 7 III: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 710 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 III and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7 III the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7 III launched at $1,999 and Alpha 7S III at $3,499. The Alpha 7 III is $1,500 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7 III vs Alpha 7S III vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.