Request a product

Sony Alpha 7R III vs Sony Alpha 9

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7R IIISonyAlpha 9
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2017May 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSBack-illuminated stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution42.4 MP24.2 MP
Largest image7952 × 53046000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–32000100–51200
Sensor detailApproximately 43.6 million total pixels; 3:2 back-illuminated sensor without an optical low-pass filter. Pixel Shift Multi Shooting combines four exposures into a 7952 × 5304 output, not a higher pixel-count still image; requires a static camera/subject and computer processing.Approximately 28.3 million total pixels; stacked sensor with integral memory and backside illumination.
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3, compressed or uncompressed RAW. Maker launch footnote limits compressed RAW continuous shooting, Bulb and long-exposure noise reduction to 12-bit output; other supported modes allow 14-bit.JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed RAW.
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–32000; expanded ISO 50–102400.Mechanical-shutter stills use standard ISO 100–51200, expandable to 50–204800. Electronic-shutter stills use ISO 100–25600 with expanded ISO 50. Movie ISO 100–51200, expandable to 102400.
Image processorBIONZ X and front-end LSI.BIONZ X with front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst10 fps20 fps
AutofocusFast Hybrid AF with 399 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast points; Eye AF supported. Phase-point coverage differs with APS-C lenses and crop modes.Current Sony specification lists 693 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points; contrast points increased from 25 through firmware. Phase coverage approximately 93%; sensitivity EV −3 to 20 with an F2 lens at ISO 100. Current features include Real-time Tracking and Eye AF; launch reviews describe earlier firmware.
ShutterFocal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second. Electronic first curtain and silent shooting supported.–
Burst detailUp to approximately 10 fps in Hi+ with AF/AE tracking using mechanical or silent shutter; up to approximately 8 fps with live view in Hi. Maker buffer claims 76 compressed RAW/JPEG or 28 uncompressed RAW frames under Sony test conditions with UHS-II SDXC; actual speed depends on settings and lens compatibility.Up to 20 fps electronic Hi with AF/AE tracking under Sony's supported-lens and exposure conditions; up to 12 fps with uncompressed RAW, or 5 fps mechanical. Maker buffer claim is 241 compressed RAW or 362 JPEG frames using a UHS-II card under its stated test conditions.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; Sony claims 5.5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on lens compatibility.Five-axis sensor shift; Sony claims 5.0 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off.
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailJapanese specification lists XAVC S 4K at 30p or 24p and up to 100 Mbps; headline maximum reflects Japanese/NTSC mode. Super 35mm recording provides full-pixel readout without binning; full-frame 4K is a separate mode. HLG, S-Log2 and S-Log3; 8-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output. Full HD 120p is a lower-resolution mode.XAVC S 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p in NTSC mode or 25p PAL, up to 100 Mbps; Full HD 120p NTSC or 100p PAL is lower resolution. HDMI supports 8-bit 4:2:2 output. No video picture profiles or S-Log.
AudioStereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.Built-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone and headphone sockets; compatible Multi Interface Shoe audio accessories.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots1,440,0001,440,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTFT LCD tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; touch focus/touchpad operation supported. This is the original ILCE-7RM3's 1,440,000-dot panel, not the later ILCE-7RM3A display.Rear TFT LCD tilts approximately 107° upwards and 41° downwards.
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch electronic viewfinder with 3,686,400 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable 60/120 fps display.0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, 3686400 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable 60/120 fps display.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)650 photographs650 photographs
Body weight572 g588 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 25 November 2017 for the ILCE-7RM3 body; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim. Reservations began earlier and are not the release date.Sony Japan lists 26 May 2017 for ILCE-9; this is the Japanese first-sale date, not a UK release claim.
Recording mediaTwo media slots; slot 1 supports UHS-II SD, while the other supports SD/Memory Stick. Simultaneous, relay and separate-media recording supported.Slot 1 accepts UHS-I/UHS-II SD; slot 2 accepts UHS-I SD or Memory Stick Duo. Simultaneous and separate-format recording supported.
PortsUSB Type-C with SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1, Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, sync terminal and Multi Interface Shoe.Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI Type D, wired LAN, sync terminal, 3.5 mm 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; smartphone location linkage supported.
Battery life detailNP-FZ100; CIPA approximately 650 photographs using the LCD or 530 using the viewfinder. In-camera charging and power via USB Type-C or Multi/Micro USB.NP-FZ100; CIPA approximately 650 photographs with LCD or 480 with viewfinder; USB charging and power supported.
DimensionsApproximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 62.7 mm.Approximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 63.0 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 572 g body only; 657 g with battery and memory card; lens excluded.Sony Japan specifies approximately 588 g body only or 673 g with battery and memory card, excluding lens. The UK page labels 588 g as including battery/card, conflicting with the explicit Japanese split.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy body; dust- and moisture-resistant design does not guarantee protection against ingress.–
In the boxPower cord, NP-FZ100 battery, cable protector, BC-QZ1 charger, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and USB Type-C cable, according to Sony Japan.NP-FZ100 battery, BC-QZ1 charger, power cord, cable protector, AC-UUE12 AC adaptor, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and Micro USB cable, according to Sony UK.

More comparisons