Sony a7S vs Sony a7 III: Specifications Comparison

Sony a7S vs Sony a7 III Specifications Comparison

Sonya7S_vs_Sonya7III_comparison_front

Camera FeatureSony a7SSony a7 III
AnnouncedApril 2014February 2018
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeCMOSBSI CMOS
Image ProcessorBIONZ XBIONZ X
Resolution12.2 MP24.2 MP
Pixel Dimensions4240×28326000×4000
Sensor Dimensions35.8 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame)35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size8.4µ5.93µ
Low Pass FilterYesNo1
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)NoYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 102,400ISO 51,200
Extended ISOsISO 50-409,600ISO 50-204,800
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoNo
Focus Stack BracketingNoNo
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/8000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)5 FPS10 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)5 FPS10 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingAutofocus fixed at first frame for 5 FPS shooting; 12-bit raw onlyNone
Buffer Size (Raw)31 frames (5 FPS)89 frames (10 FPS)
Autofocus SystemContrast DetectHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points25 693
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4 EV-3 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2501/250
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits8 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)8 bits8 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate30 FPS230 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate60 FPS120 FPS
Additional Video Crop FactorNoNo
Chroma Subsampling4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)
Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots1 2
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-I)SD (UHS-II)
Slot 2 TypeN/ASD (UHS-I)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.0 in
Rear LCD Resolution0.92 million dots0.92 million dots
Articulating LCDSingle AxisSingle Axis
TouchscreenNoYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.71x0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution2.36 million dots2.36 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothNoYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType B 2.0Type C 3.1
Battery TypeNP-FW50NP-FZ100
Battery Life (Viewfinder)320 frames610 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)380 frames710 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)490 g (1.08 lbs.)650 g (1.43 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)127 x 94 x 58 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.3″)3127 x 96 x 74 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9″)
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$2500 (Discontinued)$2000 (Check Current Price)
Used Prices (Affiliate)Sony a7S Used PricesSony a7 III Used Prices
1It is unconfirmed whether the Sony a7 III has a low-pass filter. The general (and perhaps surprisng) consensus is that it does not, or if it does, it is a weak horizontal-only AA filter.
2The Sony a7S supports 4K video, but only with an external recorder over HDMI
3The Sony a7S’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the a7S’s depth measurement in this table.



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