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Sony A7R III vs Sony a1

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push 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
  • Announced October 2017
  • Old Model is Sony A7R II
  • New Model is Sony A7R IV
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
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Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Sony A7R III and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and they are both offered by Sony. The resolution of the A7R III (42MP) and the a1 (50MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The A7R III was manufactured 4 years earlier than the a1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A7R III matches up vs the a1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony a1

 A7R III a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Sony A7R III

 a1 A7R III 
ReleasedJanuary 2021October 2017More recent by 39 months

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony a1

 A7R III a1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution1440k1440kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A7R III has got outer dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Look at the Sony A7R III and Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the A7R III versus the a1.

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R III and a1 is 63 and 61 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R III and a1.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony a1 to show extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older A7R III will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
86
you can focus manually
megapixel count great (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
88
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/400s)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography info
Sony a1 Street photography info
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (32,000)
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
89
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery (530 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
74
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
megapixel count great (42 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
73
great battery (530 per charge)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is great (50MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III Landscape photography factors
Sony a1 Landscape photography factors
87
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
88
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
great battery (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7R III
Vlogging with Sony a1
37
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
has external mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7R III vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony a1
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-10-25 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 42MP 50MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7952 x 5304 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 32000 32000
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 425 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,440k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/400 seconds
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 657 gr (1.45 lb) 737 gr (1.62 lb)
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 All around score 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 3523 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 530 pictures
Battery style 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 Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $2,800 $6,498