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
Sony
Alpha 9
First stacked-sensor mirrorless sports camera with 20fps blackout-free shooting.
$4,499
Launch priceReleased Apr 2017
Alpha 7S III is 3.3 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S III
Wins
Alpha 9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,686,400)
- BAlpha 9 has higher Resolution (24.2 MP vs 12.1 MP)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 7S III
129 × 97 × 81 mm
699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9
127 × 96 × 63 mm
673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
Alpha 7S III is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 18mm thicker than Alpha 9.
Alpha 7S III is 26 g heavier than Alpha 9.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 63mm Alpha 9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 7S III
129 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 7S III
129 × 81 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 63 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Alpha 9
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7S III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 9
✓ 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 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
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.6, 63
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…
Codecs
Adds AVCHD, MP4
Resolution
24.2 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
650 shots vs 600 shots — higher is better
Weight
673 g vs 699 g — lower is better
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
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
Alpha 9
Pros
- ✓Stacked sensor pioneer
- ✓20fps silent burst
- ✓Pro sports AF
Cons
- –Superseded by A9 II/III
- –24MP
- –Expensive when new
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S III
Sony Alpha 9
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 7S III or Alpha 9?
Alpha 7S III scores 8.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for Alpha 9 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9?
Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and Alpha 9 is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the Alpha 9?
Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. Alpha 9 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9?
Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and Alpha 9 weighs 673 g, so the Alpha 9 is 26 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9 record 4K video?
Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. Alpha 9: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9 weather sealed?
Alpha 7S III: Yes. Alpha 9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 650 shots for the Alpha 9, giving the Alpha 9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and Alpha 9 at $4,499. The Alpha 7S III is $1,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs Alpha 9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.