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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

ZV-1F

Ultra-wide 20mm f/2.0 fixed-lens vlog camera with a 1-inch sensor, fully articulating screen, and Product Showcase — Sony's most affordable ZV model.

$499

Launch price

Released Oct 2022

ZV-1F is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

9categories

Alpha 7S III

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

5categories

ZV-1F

VloggingSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 7S III wins 4 categories·ZV-1F wins 1 categories
  • 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)
  • BZV-1F has lower Weight (256 g vs 699 g)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 7S IIIZV-1F
Resolution12.1 MP20.1 MP
SensorFull Frame13.2 × 8.8 mm
ISO max102,40012,800
Burst10 fps16 fps
4K120 fps30 fps
IBIS5.5-stopNo
Weight699 g256 g
Battery600 shots360 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

ZV-1F

106 × 60 × 46 mm

256 g (0.56 lb / 9.03 oz)

Alpha 7S III is 23mm wider, 37mm taller, and 34mm thicker than ZV-1F.

Alpha 7S III is 443 g heavier than ZV-1F.

Depth (front-to-back): 81mm Alpha 7S III · 46mm ZV-1F

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 7S III

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

ZV-1F

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 lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

ZV-1F: 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 IIIZV-1F
Portrait
6.5Good✓ wins
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
8.0Excellent✓ wins
3.5Limited
Landscape
5.5Fair✓ wins
0.0Limited
Travel
6.5Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair✓ wins
1.5Limited
Vlogging
5.5Fair
7.5Good✓ 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

  • 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-1F

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 105.5, 60, 46.4

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I, microSD

  • Weight

    256 g vs 699 g — lower is better

  • Resolution

    20.1 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    16 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    16 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 94 % — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi
  • BluetoothBoth support bluetooth
  • Microphone jack (3.5mm)Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)

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-1F

Pros

  • Ultra-wide 20mm f/2.0 ZEISS Tessar lens
  • 1-inch Exmor RS sensor
  • Fully articulating touchscreen
  • 4K 30p and 120p slow-mo
  • Most affordable ZV-series body

Cons

  • Fixed 20mm lens (no zoom)
  • Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect)
  • No built-in ND filter
  • No EVF or headphone jack

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 7S III
ZV-1F
Resolution
12.1 MP
20.1 MP+66%
Sensor type
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor size
35.6 × 23.8 mm
13.2 × 8.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 7S III
ZV-1F
Aperture
f/2.0
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
20 mm
Alpha 7S III
ZV-1F
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ X
Alpha 7S III
ZV-1F
ISO min (native)
80−45 less
125
ISO max (native)
102,400+3 stops
12,800
ISO max (expanded)
409,600
12,800
Alpha 7S III
ZV-1F
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for landscape, Alpha 7S III or ZV-1F?

Alpha 7S III scores 5.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for ZV-1F — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F?

Alpha 7S III is 12.1 MP and ZV-1F is 20.1 MP, so the ZV-1F captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 7S III has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while ZV-1F uses Electronic SteadyShot (electronic).

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 7S III or the ZV-1F?

Alpha 7S III reaches 10 fps electronic. ZV-1F reaches 16 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F?

Alpha 7S III weighs 699 g and ZV-1F weighs 256 g, so the ZV-1F is 443 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F record 4K video?

Alpha 7S III: 4K up to 120p. ZV-1F: 4K up to 30p.

Are the Alpha 7S III and ZV-1F weather sealed?

Alpha 7S III: Yes. ZV-1F: No.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 600 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 7S III and 360 shots for the ZV-1F, giving the Alpha 7S III the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 7S III launched at $3,499 and ZV-1F at $499. The ZV-1F is $3,000 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 7S III vs ZV-1F vs X comparison.

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