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Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III – Comparison

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Looking for a Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III comparison? Read our detailed specs comparison of the Sony Alpha A7 III vs Sony Alpha A7R III vs Sony Alpha A9 to find out their strengths and weaknesses, and decide which one to choose.

At first glance the Sony A7 III  looks very much like the other current A7-series cameras, closely resembling both the A9 and A7R III in terms of looks and key specifications. With its 24.2MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, AF coverage of 93% and 10fps continuous shooting, it’s a nice addition to Sony’s full-frame mirrorless camera offering.

While it doesn’t match Sony’s A9 for speed or the A7R III in resolution, the so-called “basic” model still pulls enough of their capabilities for it to appeal to photographers at a more affordable price.

Specifications Comparison of Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III Cameras

Below you can see the specs comparison table of Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III cameras. Some differences like sensor, image size, shooting speed, lcd size etc.. detailed as bold on the table.

If you’re trying to decide which one to buy as your first camera, check out the differences between the Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III cameras.

Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III - Comparison

Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 vs Sony a7R III

 

 Sony a7 III
Sony a9
Sony a7R III
Announced
Feb 27, 2018
Apr 19, 2017
Oct 25, 2017
Price
MSRP
$1,998
$4,498
$3,198
Body type
Body type
SLR-style mirrorless
SLR-style mirrorless
SLR-style mirrorless
Body material
Magnesium alloy
Magnesium alloy
Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution
6000 x 4000
6000 x 4000
7952 x 5304
Image ratio w:h
3:2, 16:9
3:2, 16:9
3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels
24 megapixels
24 megapixels
42 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors
25 megapixels
28 megapixels
44 megapixels
Sensor size
Full frame (35.8 x 23.8 mm)
Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm)
Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm)
Sensor type
BSI-CMOS
BSI-CMOS
BSI-CMOS
Processor
Bionz X
Bionz X
Bionz X
Color space
sRGB, AdobeRGB
sRGB, Adobe RGB
sRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter array
Primary color filter
Primary color filter
Primary color filter
Image
ISO
ISO 100-51200
ISO 100-51200
ISO 100-32000
Boosted ISO (minimum)
50
50
50
Boosted ISO (maximum)
204800
204800
102400
White balance presets
11
10
10
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Image stabilization
Sensor-shift
Sensor-shift
Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes  5-axis
5-axis
5-axis
CIPA image stabilization rating
5 stop(s)
5.5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format
RAW
RAW
RAW
JPEG quality levels
Extra fine, fine, standard
Extra fine, fine, standard
Extra fine, fine, standard
File format
  • JPEG (DCF 2.0, EXIF 2.3)
  • RAW (ARW 2.3)
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (Sony ARW)
  • JPEG (DCF 2.0, EXIF v2.31)
  • RAW (Sony 14-bit ARW v2.3)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp
Yes
Yes
Yes
Digital zoom
Yes (4x)
Yes (2x)
Yes
Manual focus
Yes
  Yes
Yes
Number of focus points
693
693
425
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Sony E
Focal length multiplier
1×
1×
1×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD
Tilting
Tilting
Tilting
Screen size
3″
3″
3″
Screen dots
921,600
1,440,000
1,440,000
Touch screen
Yes
Yes
Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
TFT LCD
TFT LCD
Live view
Yes
Yes
Yes
Viewfinder type
Electronic
Electronic
Electronic
Viewfinder coverage
100%
100%
100%
Viewfinder magnification
0.78×
0.78×
0.78×
Viewfinder resolution
2,359,296
3,686,400
3,686,400
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed
30 sec
30 sec
30 sec
Maximum shutter speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)
1/32000 sec
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Yes
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Yes
Subject / scene modes
Yes
No
Yes
Exposure modes
  • Auto
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
  • Scene Selection
  • Slow & Quick Motion
  • Movie
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
  • Auto
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Scene modes
  • Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene
Built-in flash
No
No
No
External flash
Yes (via Multi Interface shoe)
Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Flash modes 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
Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Flash X sync speed
1/250 sec
1/250 sec
1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single, continuous, speed priority continuous, self-timer, bracketing (AE, white balance, DRO)
  • Single
  • Continuous (H/M/L)
  • Self-timer
  • Bracketing (AE, WB, DRO)
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Self-timer (single/continuous)
  • Bracketing (single/continuous)
  • WB bracketing
  • DRO bracketing
Continuous drive
10.0 fps
20.0 fps
10.0 fps
Self-timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Average
  • Spot
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Average
  • Spot
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing
±5 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
±6 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
±5 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing
Yes
Yes (3 frames, H/L selectable)
Yes
Videography features
Format
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 25 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 16 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 16 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 16 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1280 x 720 @ 30p / 6 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1280 x 720 @ 25p / 6 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 25 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 16 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Speaker
Mono
Mono
Mono
Storage
Storage types
Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (One of which UHS-II compatible)
Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Connectivity
USB
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI
Yes (micro-HDMI port with 4K still, uncompressed video output)
Yes (micro-HDMI)
Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port
Yes
Yes
Yes
Headphone port
Yes
Yes
Yes
Wireless
Built-In
Built-In
Built-In
Wireless notes
with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app
802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth
802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth
Remote control
Yes (wired)
Yes (Wired or wireless)
Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery
Battery Pack
Battery Pack
Battery Pack
Battery description
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
NP-FZ100
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)
710
650
650
Weight (inc. batteries)
650 g (1.43 lb / 22.93 oz)
673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
657 g (1.45 lb / 23.17 oz)
Dimensions
127 x 96 x 74 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.91″)
127 x 96 x 63 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.48″)
127 x 96 x 74 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.91″)
Other features
Orientation sensor
Yes
Yes
Yes
Timelapse recording
No
Yes (via downloadable app)
GPS
None
None
None