Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
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 7 IV is 1.2 years newer.
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
Wins
Alpha 7S III
8 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 120 frames)
- AAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 12.1 MP)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,686,400)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Alpha 7S III
129 × 97 × 81 mm
699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)
Alpha 7 IV is 1mm shorter and 1mm thinner than Alpha 7S III but it is also 2mm wider.
Alpha 7 IV is 41 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.
Depth (front-to-back): 80mm Alpha 7 IV · 81mm Alpha 7S III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7 IV
✓ 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 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…
Resolution
33 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Weight
658 g vs 699 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7S III
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
ISO min (native)
80 vs 100 — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.9 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
600 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 10 fps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
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 portraits, Alpha 7 IV or Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Alpha 7S III — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7 IV or the Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 41 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?
Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7 IV and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?
Alpha 7 IV: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 580 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7 IV and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7S III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7 IV launched at $2,499 and Alpha 7S III at $3,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $1,000 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.