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
ZV-1
The original Sony vlogging compact with a 1-inch stacked sensor, 24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS lens, Real-time Eye AF, and side-flip screen.
$749
Launch priceReleased May 2020
Alpha 7S III is 3 months newer.
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Wins
Alpha 7S III
Wins
ZV-1
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 7S III has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- 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 100 Mbps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AAlpha 7S III has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 315)
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
ZV-1
106 × 60 × 44 mm
294 g (0.65 lb / 10.37 oz)
Alpha 7S III is 23mm wider, 37mm taller, and 37mm thicker than ZV-1.
Alpha 7S III is 405 g heavier than ZV-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 44mm ZV-1
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
ZV-1
106 × 60 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
ZV-1
106 × 44 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 7S III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
ZV-1
13.2 × 8.8 mm · 1″
116 mm² area
7.3× 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
ZV-1: 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
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128.9, 96.9, 80.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 12,800 — higher is better
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 30 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
ZV-1
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 105.5, 60, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I, Memory Stick Duo
Burst (mechanical)
24 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
24 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Weight
294 g vs 699 g — lower is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Resolution
20.1 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
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
ZV-1
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS sensor with DRAM
- ✓24–70mm f/1.8–2.8 ZEISS zoom
- ✓Real-time Eye AF and Product Showcase
- ✓Side vari-angle LCD for vlogging
- ✓4K oversampled video and HFR slow-mo
Cons
- –Fixed 24–70mm zoom (no telephoto reach)
- –No built-in ND filter (unlike ZV-1 II)
- –No EVF
- –Short battery life for long shoots
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 7S III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 7S III or ZV-1?
Alpha 7S III scores 5.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for ZV-1 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1?
Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and ZV-1 is 20.1 MP, so the ZV-1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while ZV-1 uses Optical SteadyShot + Active electronic (electronic).
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the ZV-1?
Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. ZV-1 reaches 24 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1?
Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and ZV-1 weighs 294 g, so the ZV-1 is 405 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1 record 4K video?
Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. ZV-1: 4K up to 30p.
Are the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1 weather sealed?
Alpha 7S III: Yes. ZV-1: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 260 shots for the ZV-1, giving the Alpha 7S III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and ZV-1 at $749. The ZV-1 is $2,750 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs ZV-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.