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Sony

Alpha 7S III

12MP low-light video specialist with 4K 120p, 16-bit RAW HDMI, and excellent autofocus.

$3,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

vs
FX5

Sony

FX5

2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.

$4,899

Launch price

Released Aug 2026

FX5 is 5.9 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

Alpha 7S III

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

1categories

FX5

Video & HybridPortrait

9 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7S III wins 5 categories·FX5 wins 0 categories
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher Burst (electronic) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
  • AAlpha 7S III has lower ISO min (native) (80 vs 800)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 12,800)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7S IIIFX5
Resolution12.1 MP16.6 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max102,40012,800
Burst10 fps
4K120 fps120 fps
IBIS5.5-stop5.5-stop
Weight699 g734 g
Battery600 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 7S III

129 × 97 × 81 mm

699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FX5 front view

FX5

132 × 79 × 87 mm

734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)

Alpha 7S III is 3mm narrower and 6mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 18mm taller.

Alpha 7S III is 35 g lighter than FX5.

Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 87mm FX5

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Alpha 7S III

129 × 97 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

FX5 back view

FX5

132 × 79 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 shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

FX5 top view

FX5

132 × 87 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7S III

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

FX5

35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

850 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 7S III

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

FX5

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseAlpha 7S IIIFX5
Portrait
6.5Good
6.5Good
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Landscape
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Travel
6.5Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair✓ wins
5.0Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7S III

  • Burst (mechanical)

    10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8

  • ISO min (native)

    80 vs 800 — lower is better

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 12,800 — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    9,437,184 vs 7,070,000 — higher is better

  • Weight

    699 g vs 734 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

FX5

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95

  • Codecs

    Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird

  • Resolution

    16.6 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • AF points / zonesBoth 759
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • RAW buffer depthBoth 120 frames

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

FX5

Pros

  • 5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
  • Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
  • 15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
  • 5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
  • Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots

Cons

  • Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
  • Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
  • 4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
  • No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and FX5 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7S III
FX5
Resolution
12.1 MP
16.6 MP+37%
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Full Frame fully-stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor size
35.6 × 23.8 mm
35.7 × 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7S III
FX5
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ XR2 with integrated AI processing unit
Alpha 7S III
FX5
ISO min (native)
80−720 less
800
ISO max (native)
102,400+3 stops
12,800
ISO max (expanded)
409,600
409,600
Alpha 7S III
FX5
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for travel, Alpha 7S III or FX5?

Alpha 7S III scores 6.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for FX5 — 699g — manageable for travel.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S III and FX5?

Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the FX5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7S III and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and FX5?

Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the Alpha 7S III is 35 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7S III and FX5 record 4K video?

Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.

Are the Alpha 7S III and FX5 weather sealed?

Alpha 7S III: Yes. FX5: Yes.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and FX5 at $4,899. The Alpha 7S III is $1,400 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs FX5 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.