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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

Sony

HXR-NX800

AI-powered NXCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 20x zoom, 4K60/120p HLG, variable ND, RTMP/SRT streaming, and Cinema Line color match.

$3,299

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

HXR-NX800 is 4 years newer.

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Wins

8categories

Alpha 7S III

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

5categories

HXR-NX800

WildlifeSports & Action

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7S III wins 4 categories·HXR-NX800 wins 1 categories
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
  • BHXR-NX800 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 10 fps)
  • AAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7S IIIHXR-NX800
Resolution12.1 MP14 MP
SensorFull FrameMFT
ISO max102,40025,600
Burst10 fps20 fps
4K120 fps60 fps
IBIS5.5-stop7-stop
Weight699 g580 g
Battery600 shots640 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

HXR-NX800

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

Alpha 7S III is 5mm narrower than HXR-NX800 but it is also 6mm taller and 9mm thicker.

Alpha 7S III is 119 g heavier than HXR-NX800.

Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 72mm HXR-NX800

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7S III

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

HXR-NX800

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 lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

HXR-NX800: 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

Use caseAlpha 7S IIIHXR-NX800
Portrait
6.5Good✓ wins
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
8.0Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Landscape
5.5Fair✓ wins
3.5Limited
Travel
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Wildlife
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
5.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins

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

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 200 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

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A

Reasons to choose

HXR-NX800

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134, 91, 72

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Vehicle

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only HXR-NX800 supports it

  • Codecs

    Adds ProRes

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    580 g vs 699 g — lower is better

  • Resolution

    14 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

HXR-NX800

Pros

  • AI subject recognition AF + auto framing
  • 4K up to 60p / 120p slow motion
  • 20x 24–480mm f/2.8–4.5 zoom
  • Variable electronic ND filter
  • 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi + RTMP/SRT streaming

Cons

  • No SDI (HDMI only on NX800)
  • Heavier than palm-cam Z90
  • Premium over FDR-AX700
  • Requires learning AI AF settings

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and HXR-NX800 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
HXR-NX800
Resolution
12.1 MP
14 MP+16%
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
35.6 × 23.8 mm
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7S III
HXR-NX800
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
Alpha 7S III
HXR-NX800
ISO min (native)
80−20 less
100
ISO max (native)
102,400+2 stops
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
409,600
102,400
Alpha 7S III
HXR-NX800
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 wildlife, Alpha 7S III or HXR-NX800?

HXR-NX800 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 7S III and HXR-NX800?

Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and HXR-NX800 is 14 MP, so the HXR-NX800 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7S III and HXR-NX800 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while HXR-NX800 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the HXR-NX800?

Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. HXR-NX800 reaches 20 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and HXR-NX800?

Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and HXR-NX800 weighs 580 g, so the HXR-NX800 is 119 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7S III and HXR-NX800 record 4K video?

Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. HXR-NX800: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Alpha 7S III and HXR-NX800 weather sealed?

Alpha 7S III: Yes. HXR-NX800: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 640 shots for the HXR-NX800, giving the HXR-NX800 the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and HXR-NX800 at $3,299. The HXR-NX800 is $200 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs HXR-NX800 vs X comparison.

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