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Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
78
Imaging
71
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Released October 2017
  • Old Model is Sony A7R II
  • Replacement is Sony A7R IV
Photography Glossary

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Sony A7 and Sony A7R III, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both are produced by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the A7 (24MP) and A7R III (42MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The A7 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the A7R III which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the A7 scores against the A7R III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony A7R III

 A7 A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A7

 A7R III A7 
ReleasedOctober 2017January 2014More modern by 45 months
Screen resolution1440k1230kCrisper screen (+210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony A7R III

 A7 A7R III 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A7 comes with outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Sony A7R III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7 and Sony A7R III in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the A7 and the A7R III.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 and A7R III is 78 and 63 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 and A7R III.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sony A7R III to deliver greater detail due to its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A7 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 Portrait photography info
Sony A7R III Portrait photography info
82
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
86
has manual focus
fantastic MP (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography details
Sony A7R III Street photography details
79
screen tilts
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competitors in class (474g)
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
environment sealing
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7
Sports photography with Sony A7R III
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 per charge)
89
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery pack (650 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography details
Sony A7R III Travel photography details
69
lighter than competitors in class (474g)
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
terrible battery (340 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
great battery pack (650 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
fantastic MP (42MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography advice
Sony A7R III Landscape photography advice
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 per charge)
87
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery pack (650 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 Vlogging highlights
Sony A7R III Vlogging highlights
36
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (474 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
37
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Sony A7 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony A7R III
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha A7R III
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-22 2017-10-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 855.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 25600 32000
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 117 425
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 474 gr (1.04 lb) 657 gr (1.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 90 100
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 14.7
DXO Low light rating 2248 3523
Other
Battery life 340 shots 650 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Card slots One Dual
Retail pricing $798 $2,800