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Sony Alpha 7 II vs Sony Alpha 7 III

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7 IISonyAlpha 7 III
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2014March 2018
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeExmor CMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.8 × 23.9 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6000 × 40006000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–51200
Sensor detailApproximately 24.7 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor.Approximately 25.3 million total pixels; 3:2 back-illuminated sensor.
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3; the current maker specification includes uncompressed RAW.JPEG and Sony ARW 2.3 RAW, including uncompressed RAW. Sony's announcement limits compressed RAW continuous shooting to 12 bits; 14-bit output is not universal in every mode.
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–25600; expanded ISO 50, 64 and 80. Multi Shot NR reaches ISO 51200 by combining images rather than extending the standard single-image range.Standard still-image ISO 100–51200; expanded ISO 50–204800. Video ISO 100–51200 expands up to ISO 102400.
Image processorBIONZ X.BIONZ X with front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps10 fps
AutofocusFast Hybrid AF with 117 phase-detection points in full-frame mode and 25 contrast-detection points; single AF, continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus.Fast Hybrid AF with 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points; phase-detection covers approximately 93% of the image area. Eye AF supports continuous AF.
ShutterFocal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; electronic first curtain can be enabled or disabled.Focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; electronic first curtain and silent electronic shooting.
Burst detailUp to approximately 5 fps in Continuous Hi with AF/AE tracking, according to Sony's announcement; approximately 2.5 fps in Continuous Lo. Speed varies with shooting conditions and the memory card.Up to approximately 10 fps in Hi+ with AF/AE tracking using mechanical or silent shooting; approximately 8 fps in Hi with live view. Maximum speed depends on settings and lens compatibility. Silent shooting can distort moving subjects. Sony gives buffers of approximately 177 standard JPEG, 89 compressed RAW or 40 uncompressed RAW images under its UHS-II SDXC test conditions.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis image-sensor shift; Sony claims 4.5 stops under CIPA conditions for pitch/yaw with Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on the lens.Five-axis image-sensor shift; Sony claims 5 stops under CIPA conditions for pitch/yaw with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on the lens.
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailJapanese specification lists XAVC S Full HD 60p, 30p and 24p at approximately 50 Mbps. The headline maximum reflects this NTSC/Japanese mode; no 4K movie recording. S-Log2 picture profiles and clean HDMI output are supported.Japanese/NTSC XAVC S 4K at 30p or 24p, approximately 100 or 60 Mbps; the UK PAL specification lists 25p. Full HD reaches 120p in NTSC modes. S-Log2, S-Log3 and HLG supported. Sony specifies different sensor readout at 24p and 30p; PhotographyBlog reports a 1.2× crop at 30p. Continuous recording is limited to approximately 29 minutes.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.Built-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots1,228,800921,600
Touchscreen–Yes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTFT screen tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; dots count colour subpixels.TFT screen tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; touch focus is supported. Dots count colour subpixels.
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch XGA OLED Tru-Finder; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage and approximately 0.71× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity.0.5-inch electronic viewfinder; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)350 photographs710 photographs
Body weight556 g565 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 5 December 2014 for the ILCE-7M2 body, following its 20 November announcement; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim.Sony Japan specifies 23 March 2018 for the ILCE-7M3 body and ILCE-7M3K kit, following its 27 February announcement; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC including UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo.Two card slots; slot 1 supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards, while slot 2 supports UHS-I SD and compatible Memory Stick media.
PortsMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets and Multi Interface Shoe.USB-C with USB 3.1 Gen 1, Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC.Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC.
Battery life detailNP-FW50; Sony's UK specification gives up to approximately 350 photographs.NP-FZ100; approximately 710 photographs with the monitor or 610 with the viewfinder under CIPA conditions.
Charging–USB-C or Multi/Micro USB charging and power supply.
DimensionsApproximately 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7 mm (width × height × depth), according to Sony's launch specification.Approximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm maximum (width × height × depth); Sony also gives 62.7 mm from grip to monitor.
Weight detailApproximately 556 g body only; 599 g with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded.Approximately 565 g body only; 650 g including battery and memory card; lens excluded.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top and front covers and internal structure; dust- and moisture-resistant design, not a waterproof rating.–
In the boxPower cord, NP-FW50 battery, AC adaptor, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony UK.NP-FZ100 battery, AC adaptor AC-UUD12, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony Japan.

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