Sony
Alpha 7S II
12MP low-light video pioneer before the A7S III revolution.
$2,999
Released Sep 2015
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 4.9 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S II
Wins
Alpha 7S III
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7S III has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 169)
- 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)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7S III has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 7S II
127 × 96 × 60 mm
627 g (1.38 lb / 22.12 oz)
Alpha 7S III
129 × 97 × 81 mm
699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)
Alpha 7S II is 2mm narrower, 1mm shorter, and 21mm thinner than Alpha 7S III.
Alpha 7S II is 72 g lighter than Alpha 7S III.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 7S II · 81mm Alpha 7S III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S II
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 7S 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 7S II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.7, 60.3
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds AVCHD, MP4
Weight
627 g vs 699 g — lower is better
Resolution
12.2 MP vs 12.1 MP — 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
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 169 — 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
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 102,400
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 7S II
Pros
- ✓Legendary low light
- ✓4K internal
- ✓Compact files
Cons
- –12MP stills limit
- –Old AF
- –8-bit 4K
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 7S II and Alpha 7S III at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S II
Sony Alpha 7S III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 7S II or Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7S III scores 8.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for Alpha 7S II — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S II and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7S II is 12.2 MP and Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 7S II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S II and Alpha 7S III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S 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 7S II or the Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7S II reaches 5 fps electronic. Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S II and Alpha 7S III?
Alpha 7S II weighs 627 g and Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g, so the Alpha 7S II is 72 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S II and Alpha 7S III record 4K video?
Alpha 7S II: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 7S II and Alpha 7S III weather sealed?
Alpha 7S II: Yes. Alpha 7S III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 310 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S II and 600 shots for the Alpha 7S III, giving the Alpha 7S III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S II launched at $2,999 and Alpha 7S III at $3,499. The Alpha 7S II is $500 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.