Sony A7S III vs A7 III - What's the Difference? (Reviewed)

The Sony A7S III and A7 III are two of the most popular cameras on the market today. But what’s the difference between them?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the key differences between the Sony A7S III and A7 III, so you can decide which one is right for you.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Sony A7S III vs A7 III – Comparing the Differences

Price

Budget is always top of mind, so let’s start with price.

The Sony A7S III has an MSRP of around $3,500.

The Sony A7 III has an MSRP of around $2,000.

Sensor

The Sony A7S III has a 12.1 MP sensor while the Sony A7 III has a 24.2 MP sensor. So, the A7S III’s sensor is nearly half the size of the A7 III’s sensor.

Design

The design of the Sony A7S III is similar to the design of the Sony A7R III and Sony A9 II. It has a magnesium alloy body with weather-sealing and a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system.

The A7 III also has a magnesium alloy body with weather-sealing, but it doesn’t have in-body image stabilization.

Autofocus

The Sony A7S III has 759 phase detection autofocus points and 425 contrast detection autofocus points.

The A7 III has 693 phase detection autofocus points and 425 contrast detection autofocus points. So, the A7S III has more autofocus points than the A7 III.

Video Recording and Quality

The Sony A7S III can record 4K video at up to 120 fps and Full HD video at up to 960 fps. The A7 III can record 4K video at up to 30 fps and Full HD video at up to 60 fps.

So, the A7S III can record much higher quality video than the A7 III.

Battery Life

The Sony A7S III has a battery life of up to 810 shots per charge while the A7 III has a battery life of up to 650 shots per charge. So, the A7S III has better battery life than the A7 III.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Both the Sony A7S III and A7 III have magnesium alloy bodies with weather-sealing. So, they both have great build quality and weather-sealing.

Size and Weight

The Sony A7S III is 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds. The A7 III is 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 inches and weighs 1.4 pounds. So, the A7S III is slightly larger and heavier than the A7 III.

LCD Screen and Electronic Viewfinder

The Sony A7S III has a 3.0-inch LCD screen with 1,440,000 dots and an electronic viewfinder with 9,210,000 dots. The A7 III has a 3.0-inch LCD screen with 1,228,800 dots and an electronic viewfinder with 2,359,296 dots.

So, the A7S III has a higher resolution LCD screen and electronic viewfinder than the A7 III.

Memory Card Slots

The Sony A7S III has two memory card slots while the A7 III has one memory card slot. So, the A7S III can hold more data than the A7 III.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Both the Sony A7S III and A7 III have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. So, they can both connect to the internet and transfer data wirelessly.

Continuous Shooting Speed

The Sony A7S III has a continuous shooting speed of 10 fps while the A7 III has a continuous shooting speed of 8 fps. So, the A7S III can take more pictures in a shorter amount of time than the A7 III.

Image Quality

The Sony A7S III has a 12.1 MP sensor while the Sony A7 III has a 24.2 MP sensor. So, the A7S III’s sensor is nearly half the size of the A7 III’s sensor.

The Sony A7S III also has a lower megapixel count than the A7 III, but it makes up for it with its larger pixel size. The A7S III has a pixel size of 3.76 microns while the A7 III has a pixel size of 3.14 microns. So, the A7S III’s pixels are 20% larger than the A7 III’s pixels.

This means that the A7S III can capture more light and detail than the A7 III.

The Sony A7S III also has a better image stabilization system than the A7 III. The A7S III has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system while the A7 III has a 4-axis in-body image stabilization system. So, the A7S III can reduce camera shake by up to 5 stops while the A7 III can reduce camera shake by up to 4 stops.

Other Features

The Sony A7S III has a few other features that the A7 III doesn’t have. These features include:

4K 120 fps video recording
S-Log3 and HLG (hybrid log gamma) picture profiles
Built-in ND filter
Dual SD card slots
USB Type-C port

So, the A7S III is a more powerful camera than the A7 III. It’s specifically designed for videographers and photographers who need the highest quality images and videos.

Specs

Sony A7S III

4K video recording at up to 120 fps
10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
8K timecode input over HDMI
Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor technology
5.76 million dot UXGA OLED EVF

A7 III

4K video recording at up to 60 fps
8-bit 4:2:0 internal recording
6K timecode input over HDMI
24.2 megapixel sensor

Sony A7S III vs A7 III: Video and Photography Comparison

Sony A7S III vs A7 III – Which Should You Choose?

The Sony A7S III is a better camera than the A7 III. It has a higher resolution sensor, 4K 120 fps video recording, better image stabilization, and more autofocus points.

So, if you need the best possible image and video quality, the A7S III is the camera for you.

However, if you don’t need such high quality images and videos, then the A7 III might be a better choice for you.

It’s cheaper than the A7S III and it has similar features (except for 4K 60 fps video recording). So, if you don’t need 4K 120 fps video recording, the A7 III can save you some money.

FAQs – Sony A7S III vs A7 III

What is the difference between the Sony A7S III and A7 III?

The Sony A7S III is a better camera than the A7 III. It has a higher resolution sensor, 4K 120 fps video recording, better image stabilization, and more autofocus points. So, if you need the best possible image and video quality, the A7S III is the camera for you.

However, if you don’t need such high quality images and videos, then the A7 III might be a better choice for you.

It’s cheaper than the A7S III and it has similar features (except for 4K 60 fps video recording). So, if you don’t need 4K 120 fps video recording, the A7 III can save you some money.

Is the Sony A7S III worth the extra money?

The Sony A7S III is a better camera than the A7 III, but it’s also more expensive. So, it depends on your needs.

If you need the best possible image and video quality, then the A7S III is worth the extra money.

However, if you don’t need 4K 120 fps video recording, then the A7 III might be a better choice for you.

How does the Sony A7S III compare to the Canon EOS R?

The Canon EOS R is a good camera, but it doesn’t quite match up to the Sony A7S III. The A7S III has a higher resolution sensor, 4K 120 fps video recording, better image stabilization, and more autofocus points.

So, if you need the best possible image and video quality, the A7S III is the camera for you.

Can I use my Canon lenses on the Sony A7S III?

Yes, you can use Canon lenses on the Sony A7S III with an adapter.

Which is better, the Sony A7S III or the Nikon Z6?

The Nikon Z6 is a good camera, but it doesn’t quite match up to the Sony A7S III. The A7S III has a higher resolution sensor, 4K 120 fps video recording, better image stabilization, and more autofocus points.

So, if you need the best possible image and video quality, the A7S III is the camera for you.

Conclusion – Sony A7S III vs A7 III

The Sony A7S III is a better camera than the A7 III. It has a higher resolution sensor, 4K 120 fps video recording, better image stabilization, and more autofocus points.

So, if you need the best possible image and video quality, the A7S III is the camera for you.

However, if you don’t need such high-quality images and videos, then the A7 III might be a better choice for you. It’s cheaper than the A7S III and it has similar features (except for 4K 60 fps video recording).

So, if you don’t need 4K 120 fps video recording, the A7 III can save you some money.

Sony A7S III vs A7 III – What’s the Difference? (Reviewed)