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
FDR-AX700
4K HDR Handycam with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, 273-point phase-detect AF, S-Log3, and pro-style manual controls.
$1,899
Launch priceReleased Oct 2017
Alpha 7S III is 2.9 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S III
Wins
FDR-AX700
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
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
FDR-AX700
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Alpha 7S III is 5mm narrower than FDR-AX700 but it is also 6mm taller and 9mm thicker.
Alpha 7S III is 119 g heavier than FDR-AX700.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 72mm FDR-AX700
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
FDR-AX700
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 7S III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FDR-AX700: mount data unavailable
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 -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
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FDR-AX700
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only FDR-AX700 supports it
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
580 g vs 699 g — lower is better
Resolution
14.2 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 5.5 stops — 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
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
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
FDR-AX700
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked sensor + Hybrid AF
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG HDR workflow
- ✓12x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
- ✓Built-in ND filters
- ✓Dual SD + proxy recording
Cons
- –No XLR without adapter
- –4K30 max
- –No SDI output
- –Consumer Handycam ergonomics
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S III
Sony FDR-AX700
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Alpha 7S III or FDR-AX700?
Alpha 7S III scores 6.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for FDR-AX700 — Full-frame sensor — shallow depth of field for subject isolation.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700?
Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and FDR-AX700 is 14.2 MP, so the FDR-AX700 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FDR-AX700 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the FDR-AX700?
Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. FDR-AX700 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700?
Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and FDR-AX700 weighs 580 g, so the FDR-AX700 is 119 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700 record 4K video?
Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. FDR-AX700: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 7S III and FDR-AX700 weather sealed?
Alpha 7S III: Yes. FDR-AX700: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 640 shots for the FDR-AX700, giving the FDR-AX700 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and FDR-AX700 at $1,899. The FDR-AX700 is $1,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs FDR-AX700 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.