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Sony A7 III vs Sony a1

Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A7 III front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Superseded the Sony A7 II
  • Renewed by Sony A7 IV
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Sony A7 III and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are created by Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the A7 III (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The A7 III was launched 3 years before the a1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the A7 III grades versus the a1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Sony a1

 A7 III a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7 III

 a1 A7 III 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2018More recent by 35 months
Display resolution1440k922kClearer display (+518k dot)

Common features in the Sony A7 III and Sony a1

 A7 III a1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A7 III offers exterior measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Sony A7 III and Sony a1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the A7 III versus the a1.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A7 III and a1 is 63 and 61 respectively.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A7 III and a1.

Clearly, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony a1 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 26MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older A7 III is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 III Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
84
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
88
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/400s)
excellent sensor resolution (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 III Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery pack (610 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (530 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
73
great battery pack (610 per charge)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (24MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
73
great battery life (530 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
excellent sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 III Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
85
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery pack (610 shots)
has double storage slots
88
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (530 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 III Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7 III vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 III and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7 IIISony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7 III Sony Alpha a1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2018-02-27 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 51200 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 693 759
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Available lenses 121 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 3730 not tested
Other
Battery life 610 shots 530 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 2 2
Launch pricing $1,998 $6,498