Sony
Alpha 7R IV
61MP resolution king before the A7R V era.
$3,499
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Sony
Alpha 7S III
12MP low-light video specialist with 4K 120p, 16-bit RAW HDMI, and excellent autofocus.
$3,499
Launch priceReleased Sep 2020
Alpha 7S III is 1 year newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7R IV
Wins
Alpha 7S III
7 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7R IV has higher Resolution (61 MP vs 12.1 MP)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 32,000)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 5,760,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 7R IV
129 × 96 × 78 mm
665 g (1.47 lb / 23.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7S III
129 × 97 × 81 mm
699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)
Alpha 7R IV is 1mm shorter and 3mm thinner than Alpha 7S III.
Alpha 7R IV is 34 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.
Depth (front-to-back): 78mm Alpha 7R IV · 81mm Alpha 7S III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7R IV
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7R 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 7R IV
Resolution
61 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 96.4, 77.5
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Battery life (CIPA)
670 shots vs 600 shots — higher is better
Weight
665 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
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 96.9, 80.8
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7S III supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both 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 7R IV
Pros
- ✓61MP detail
- ✓Great for studio
- ✓Pixel shift mode
Cons
- –Slower AF than A7R V
- –Large files
- –Rolling shutter in video
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 7R IV and Alpha 7S III at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7R IV
Sony Alpha 7S III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 7R IV or Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R IV scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Alpha 7S III — 61MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R IV is 61 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7R IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7R 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 7R IV or the Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R IV reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R IV weighs 665 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7R IV is 34 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?
Alpha 7R IV: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?
Alpha 7R IV: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 670 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7R IV and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7R IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $3,499.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7R IV vs Alpha 7S III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.