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Sony A7R III vs Sony A55

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost 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
  • Introduced October 2017
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7R II
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R IV
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Sony A7R III vs Sony A55, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are produced by Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and A55 (16MP) and the A7R III (Full frame) and A55 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The A7R III was introduced 7 years after the A55 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the A7R III scores against the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A55

 A7R III A55 
IntroducedOctober 2017August 2010Newer by 88 months
Screen resolution1440k921kCrisper screen (+519k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony A7R III

 A55 A7R III 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony A55

 A7R III A55 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A7R III enjoys external 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 A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the A7R III against the A55.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7R III and A55 is 63 and 67 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specifications. The image below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A7R III and A55.

Plainly, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A7R III using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A7R III will produce more detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern A7R III is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
86
has manual focus
great resolution (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
73
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography advice
Sony A55 Street photography advice
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment proof
good high ISO (32,000)
77
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography factors
Sony A55 Sports photography factors
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
good battery power (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography details
Sony A55 Travel photography details
74
good battery power (650 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
great resolution (42 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
62
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III Landscape photography details
Sony A55 Landscape photography details
87
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
good battery power (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (380 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III Vlogging details
Sony A55 Vlogging details
37
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone support
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony A55
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony SLT-A55
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2017-10-25 2010-08-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7952 x 5304 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 32000 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 425 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,440k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 657g (1.45 pounds) 500g (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 73
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 12.4
DXO Low light rating 3523 816
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 380 pictures
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)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $2,800 $800