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
PXW-Z90
Palm-sized XDCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, Fast Hybrid AF, 3G-SDI, dual XLR, and XAVC 4K up to 30p.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Dec 2017
Alpha 7S III is 2.8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S III
Wins
PXW-Z90
5 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 Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- BPXW-Z90 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
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
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Alpha 7S III is 5mm narrower than PXW-Z90 but it is also 6mm taller and 9mm thicker.
Alpha 7S III is 119 g heavier than PXW-Z90.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 72mm PXW-Z90
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
PXW-Z90
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
PXW-Z90: 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
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
PXW-Z90
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 PXW-Z90 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
14.2 MP vs 12.1 MP — 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
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 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
PXW-Z90
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS (14.2MP)
- ✓273-point Fast Hybrid AF
- ✓Built-in ND (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- ✓3G-SDI + dual XLR handle
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone
Cons
- –4K limited to 30p
- –Small palm body ergonomics
- –XAVC 100Mbps max in 4K
- –Superseded by newer NX800/Z200 line
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z90 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S III
Sony PXW-Z90
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Alpha 7S III or PXW-Z90?
PXW-Z90 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 PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and PXW-Z90 is 14.2 MP, so the PXW-Z90 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z90 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while PXW-Z90 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. PXW-Z90 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z90?
Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and PXW-Z90 weighs 580 g, so the PXW-Z90 is 119 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z90 record 4K video?
Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. PXW-Z90: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z90 weather sealed?
Alpha 7S III: Yes. PXW-Z90: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 640 shots for the PXW-Z90, giving the PXW-Z90 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and PXW-Z90 at $2,799. The PXW-Z90 is $700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs PXW-Z90 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.