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Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Released October 2017
  • Replaced the Sony A7R II
  • Successor is Sony A7R IV
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony A7S
  • Replacement is Sony A7S III
Photography Glossary

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are created by Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and A7S II (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The A7R III was launched 2 years later than the A7S II and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A7R III matches up against the A7S II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A7S II

 A7R III A7S II 
ReleasedOctober 2017October 2015Fresher by 25 months
Display resolution1440k1229kClearer display (+211k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Sony A7R III

 A7S II A7R III 

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony A7S II

 A7R III A7S II 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Sony A7R III comes with external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) and the Sony A7S II has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the A7R III against the A7S II.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A7R III and A7S II is 63 and 68 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The photograph below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R III and A7S II.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A7R III to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 30MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The younger A7R III will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III Portrait photography info
Sony A7S II Portrait photography info
86
has manual focus
MP count great (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
68
you can focus manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography details
Sony A7S II Street photography details
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
weather proofing
great ISO range (32,000)
78
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography factors
Sony A7S II Sports photography factors
89
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (650 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (370 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography details
Sony A7S II Travel photography details
74
good battery (650 CIPA)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
has touch to focus
MP count great (42MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
49
environment proof
terrible battery power (370 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7R III
Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
87
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (650 per charge)
2 card slots
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III Vlogging info
Sony A7S II Vlogging info
37
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony A7S II
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Alpha A7S II
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2017-10-25 2015-10-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7952 x 5304 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 32000 102400
Highest boosted ISO 102400 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 425 169
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,440k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 657g (1.45 lb) 627g (1.38 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 100 85
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 13.3
DXO Low light rating 3523 2993
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 370 pictures
Battery form 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
Type of storage Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two One
Launch cost $2,800 $2,767