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Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2017
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7R II
  • Replacement is Sony A7R IV
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7S II
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and A7S (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The A7R III was revealed 3 years after the A7S which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A7R III scores versus the A7S with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A7S

 A7R III A7S 
ReleasedOctober 2017April 2014More modern by 44 months
Screen resolution1440k1230kSharper screen (+210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Sony A7R III

 A7S A7R III 

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony A7S

 A7R III A7S 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A7R III provides physical measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the A7R III vs the A7S.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A7R III and A7S is 63 and 77 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The picture below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A7R III and A7S.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony A7R III to resolve more detail because of its extra 30MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern A7R III will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III Portrait photography info
Sony A7S Portrait photography info
86
focusing manually
fantastic megapixels (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
68
you can focus manually
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography info
Sony A7S Street photography info
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
supports focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (32,000)
76
has a tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
lighter than competitors (489g)
great high ISO (409,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography info
Sony A7S Sports photography info
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery life (650 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
low battery pack (360 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography highlights
Sony A7S Travel photography highlights
74
good battery life (650 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
lighter than competitors (489 grams)
weather proofing
low battery pack (360 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7R III
Landscape photography with Sony A7S
87
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good battery life (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (409,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
low battery pack (360 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S as a Vlogging camera
37
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
34
has face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than competitors (489g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony A7S
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Alpha A7S
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Alpha A7S
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2017-10-25 2014-04-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7952 x 5304 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 32000 409600
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 425 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,440k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 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
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 657g (1.45 lbs) 489g (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 87
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 13.2
DXO Low light rating 3523 3702
Other
Battery life 650 photos 360 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FW50
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
Storage type Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $2,800 $1,998