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Sony A7R III vs Sony A99

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Launched October 2017
  • Replaced the Sony A7R II
  • Updated by Sony A7R IV
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Released December 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A900
  • New Model is Sony A99 II
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Sony A7R III versus Sony A99, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and A99 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The A7R III was revealed 4 years later than the A99 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the A7R III matches up against the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A99

 A7R III A99 
ReleasedOctober 2017December 2012Fresher by 60 months
Screen resolution1440k1229kSharper screen (+211k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sony A7R III

 A99 A7R III 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony A99

 A7R III A99 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A7R III provides 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 A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A7R III versus Sony A99 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A7R III and the A99.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R III and A99 is 63 and 57 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The graphic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R III and A99.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony A7R III to deliver more detail because of its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent A7R III should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7R III
Portrait photography with Sony A99
86
focusing manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
81
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography features
Sony A99 Street photography features
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (32,000)
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 Sports photography highlights
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography details
Sony A99 Travel photography details
74
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
sensor resolution is fantastic (42 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
good MP (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
87
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (42 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
74
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III Vlogging advice
Sony A99 Vlogging advice
37
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
76
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony A99
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony SLT-A99
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2017-10-25 2012-12-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7952 x 5304 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 32000 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 425 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,440k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
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 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 657 gr (1.45 lbs) 812 gr (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 89
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 14.0
DXO Low light rating 3523 1555
Other
Battery life 650 photos 500 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Price at release $2,800 $1,998