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Sony Alpha 7S vs Sony Alpha 7S III

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 7SSonyAlpha 7S III
Overview
ReleasedJune 2014September 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeExmor CMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution12.2 MP12.1 MP
Largest image4240 × 28324240 × 2832
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–10240080–102400
Sensor detailApproximately 12.4 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and ultrasonic dust reductionApproximately 12.9 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor; anti-static coating and ultrasonic dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG and RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); 14-bit RAW output; XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 and MP4 moviesJPEG, 10-bit HEIF and compressed or uncompressed 14-bit RAW (Sony ARW 4.0); XAVC S, XAVC S-I and XAVC HS movies
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–102400; extended ISO 50–80 and 128000–409600; movie extended range reaches ISO 409600. UK support combines standard and extended settings, so the standard range follows Sony Japan's explicit specification.Standard still-image and movie ISO 80–102400; still-image extension ISO 40–409600; movie extension reaches ISO 409600
Image processorBIONZ XBIONZ XR
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5 fps10 fps
Lens detailInterchangeable E-mount; full-frame FE lenses use the whole sensor; APS-C lenses can use a lower-resolution crop. ILCE-7S is supplied without a lens.Interchangeable E-mount; full-frame FE lenses use the whole sensor; APS-C still-image crop available. ILCE-7SM3 is supplied without a lens.
AutofocusContrast-detection AF with 25 points; maker detection range EV -4 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; AF-S, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; Lock-on AF and Eye AFFast Hybrid AF with 759 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points in full-frame stills; detection range EV -6 to 20 at ISO 100 with an f/2 lens; Real-time Tracking and human Eye AF in stills and video; animal Eye AF for stills
ShutterElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with Sony flash; electronic first curtain and silent electronic shutter selectableMechanical or silent electronic focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with Sony flash; selectable electronic first curtain
Burst detailUp to 5 fps Speed Priority Continuous or 2.5 fps normal continuous; maker speed-priority buffer approximately 30 RAW or 25 RAW+JPEG images. Photography Blog states speed priority fixes focus and exposure at the first frame, while normal continuous can update both.Up to 10 fps Hi+ with AF/AE tracking, 8 fps Hi with live view, 6 fps Mid or 3 fps Lo; Sony claims over 1,000 uncompressed RAW images at 10 fps with a CFexpress Type A card
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible stabilised lensFive-axis sensor-shift correction; maker claim 5.5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw testing with the FE 50 mm f/1.4 ZA lens and long-exposure noise reduction off; Active movie mode adds electronic correction and narrows the view
FlashNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flashNo built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible external flash; flash unavailable with electronic shutter
Exposure controls1200-zone evaluative metering; program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; exposure compensation ±5 EV, or ±3 EV using the dedicated dial1200-zone evaluative metering; program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; exposure compensation ±5 EV, or ±3 EV using the dedicated dial
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps3840 × 2160 at 120 fps
Video detailInternal Japanese/NTSC Full HD up to 1920 × 1080 at 60p, 30p or 24p in XAVC S at 50 Mbps; PAL modes include 50p/25p. 1280 × 720 at 120p NTSC automatically crops to APS-C; PAL offers 100p. 4K 3840 × 2160 at 30p/24p is HDMI output only and needs a compatible external recorder; 8-bit 4:2:2. S-Log2, timecode, zebra and recording-control features; approximately 29-minute internal clip limit.Internal 3840 × 2160 up to 120p NTSC or 100p PAL with 10-bit 4:2:2 options; 120p crops the view by approximately 10%. XAVC S/HS reaches 280 Mbps at 120p; XAVC S-I All-Intra reaches 600 Mbps at 60p. S&Q supports Full HD 240 fps capture with 1420 × 804 sensor readout. HDMI can output 4264 × 2408 16-bit RAW at up to 60p to a compatible external recorder. S-Log2/S-Log3, HLG, timecode and gamma display assist; current Sony specifications include S-Cinetone.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; LPCM, Dolby Digital or AAC by recording format; adjustable levels; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; compatible optional shoe-mounted XLR adaptorBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe; compatible accessories support four-channel 24-bit LPCM
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,6001,440,000
TouchscreenNoYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailLCD tilts approximately 90° upwards and 45° downwards; no touchscreenSide-opening vari-angle LCD; opens approximately 176° and rotates approximately 270°; touch menus and focus selection
Viewfinder detail0.5-type OLED; 2,359,296 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.71× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity0.64-type Quad-XGA OLED; 9,437,184 dots; 100% coverage; approximately 0.90× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; 60 or 120 fps refresh
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)380 photographs600 photographs
Body weight446 g614 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 20 June 2014 retail availability for ILCE-7S. This is the original 12.2 MP Alpha 7S, not a later 7S or the higher-resolution 7/7R families.Sony USA specifies September 2020 retail availability. This is ILCE-7SM3 with current maker-supported specification features.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC with UHS-I; Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo; XAVC S requires Class 10 SDXCTwo combined CFexpress Type A/SD slots, each supporting UHS-I and UHS-II SDHC/SDXC; simultaneous, relay or separate-format recording
PortsMulti/Micro USB, Micro HDMI Type D, Multi Interface Shoe, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and vertical-grip connectorFull-size HDMI Type A, USB-C (USB 3.2 at 5 Gbps), Multi/Micro USB, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe and vertical-grip connector
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC One-touch remote/sharingWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; FTP transfer and smartphone remote control; 5 GHz availability varies by region
Battery life detailNP-FW50; CIPA maker claim approximately 380 photographs using LCD or 320 using viewfinderNP-FZ100; CIPA maker claim approximately 600 photographs using LCD or 510 using viewfinder; actual movie claim approximately 95 minutes with LCD or 80 with viewfinder
ChargingIn-camera USB charging; optional AC-PW20 external power adaptorUSB-C in-camera charging and power supply with USB Power Delivery support
DimensionsApproximately 126.9 × 94.4 × 54.8 mm from grip to viewfinder; 48.2 mm depth from grip to monitorApproximately 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8 mm; depth from grip to monitor 69.7 mm
Weight detailApproximately 446 g body only; 489 g with battery and media; both exclude lensApproximately 614 g body only; 699 g with battery and memory card; both exclude lens
Materials–Magnesium-alloy body; maker describes dust and moisture resistance without guaranteeing complete protection
In the boxSony Japan lists two NP-FW50 batteries, BC-TRW charger, AC-UUD11 adaptor, cable protector, strap, USB cable, body/shoe caps and eyepiece cup. TechRadar reports one battery in its UK/Australian package; contents vary by region.Sony Japan lists NP-FZ100 battery, BC-QZ1 charger and mains cable, cable protector, strap, body/shoe caps, eyepiece cup and USB-A to USB-C cable

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