Sony
Alpha 7R
36MP no-AA-filter full-frame mirrorless for landscape and studio — launched the high-res mirrorless era.
$2,299
Launch priceReleased Oct 2013
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 6.9 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7R
Wins
Alpha 7S III
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- 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)
- AAlpha 7R has higher Resolution (36.4 MP vs 12.1 MP)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- AAlpha 7R has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 7R
127 × 94 × 48 mm
465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 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 is 2mm narrower, 3mm shorter, and 33mm thinner than Alpha 7S III.
Alpha 7R is 234 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.
Depth (front-to-back): 48mm Alpha 7R · 81mm Alpha 7S III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7R
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7R
✓ 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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 94.4, 48.2
Resolution
36.4 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 7R supports it
Weight
465 g vs 699 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 600 shots — higher 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
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 3,690,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 7S III supports it
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7R
Pros
- ✓36MP no AA filter
- ✓Compact high-res body
- ✓Historic significance
- ✓Great used value
Cons
- –Slow AF
- –No IBIS
- –Very dated ergonomics
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 and Alpha 7S III at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7R
Sony Alpha 7S III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7R or Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Alpha 7S III — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R is 36.4 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7R captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7R has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7R or the Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7R weighs 465 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7R is 234 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?
Alpha 7R: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7R and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?
Alpha 7R: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7R and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7R the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7R launched at $2,299 and Alpha 7S III at $3,499. The Alpha 7R is $1,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7R vs Alpha 7S III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.