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Sony A7 III vs Sony A500

Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A7 III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Older Model is Sony A7 II
  • Successor is Sony A7 IV
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
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Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Sony A7 III and Sony A500, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the A7 III (24MP) and A500 (12MP) and the A7 III (Full frame) and A500 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The A7 III was unveiled 8 years after the A500 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the A7 III grades against the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Sony A500

 A7 III A500 
RevealedFebruary 2018August 2009Newer by 104 months
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A7 III

 A500 A7 III 

Common features in the Sony A7 III and Sony A500

 A7 III A500 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A7 III features external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sony A7 III and Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the A7 III against the A500.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 III and A500 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The pic underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 III and A500.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A7 III using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony A7 III will produce extra detail having an extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher A7 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 III Portrait photography factors
Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
84
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 III Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 III Sports photography factors
Sony A500 Sports photography factors
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (610 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
73
good battery life (610 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
43
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (520 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 III Landscape photography info
Sony A500 Landscape photography info
85
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery life (610 CIPA)
has double storage slots
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery pack (520 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Sony A7 III vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 III and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha A7 IIISony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 III Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-02-27 2009-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 630 gr (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 64
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 11.6
DXO Low light rating 3730 772
Other
Battery life 610 images 520 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two Single
Launch pricing $1,998 $638