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Sony a1 vs a7R III Comparison

Optics
Video
Features
Storage & Battery

Sony a1

sony a1
Winner!
86%

Sony a7R III

sony a7r iii
83%
Sony a1
vs
Sony a7R III
Price
Brand
Sony
Sony
Model
a1
a7R III
Released
2021
2017
Announcement Date
January 26, 2021
October 25, 2017
Camera Type
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Camera Size
Camera Weight

The Sony a1 emerges as the winner with a score of 86/100, while the Sony a7R III trails closely behind with a score of 83/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and share similar dimensions, with the a1 measuring 129 x 97 x 81mm and the a7R III at 127 x 96 x 74mm. However, the a1 is slightly heavier at 737g compared to the a7R III’s 657g.

The a1’s higher score is due to its superior performance and advanced features, justifying its launch price of $6499. On the other hand, the a7R III, released in 2017, offers a more affordable option at $3200 without sacrificing too much in terms of quality.

Taking all factors into consideration, the Sony a1 is the better camera, but the Sony a7R III remains a strong competitor, especially for those on a tighter budget.

Optics
Optics
89%
84%
Megapixels
50.1 MP
42.4 MP
Image Resolution
8640 x 5760 px
7952 x 5304 px
Sensor Type
CMOS
CMOS
Sensor Size
24 x 35.9 mm
24 x 35.9 mm
Sensor Format
Full Frame
Full Frame
Frame Rate
30 fps
10 fps
Lens Mount
Sony FE
Sony FE
Image Processor
Dual Bionz XR
Bionz X
Aspect Ratio
3:2
3:2
Minimum ISO (Native)
100
100
Maximum ISO (Native)
32,000
32,000
Minimum ISO (Expanded)
50
50
Maximum ISO (Expanded)
102400
102400
Minimum Shutter Speed
30 s
30 s
Maximum Shutter Speed
1/ 32000 s
1/ 8000 s
Autofocus Points
759
425
In-body Stabilization
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution
9,437,184 dots
3,686,400 dots

Sony a1 vs a7R III Video Performance

The Sony a1 outperforms the Sony a7R III in video capabilities, boasting a higher video score of 86/100 compared to the a7R III’s 56/100. Both cameras share the lack of built-in time-lapse functionality. However, the differences between the two models become apparent when examining the specifications related to video resolution, dimensions, and frame rate.

The Sony a1 offers a significantly higher maximum video resolution of 8K, compared to the a7R III’s 4K resolution. This results in the a1 providing video dimensions of 7680 x 4320, while the a7R III only delivers 3840 x 2160. The increased resolution and dimensions contribute to the a1’s superior video quality and detail.

Additionally, the a1 boasts a maximum video frame rate of 120fps, far surpassing the a7R III’s 30fps. This higher frame rate allows the a1 to capture smoother, more detailed slow-motion footage, making it a more versatile choice for videographers seeking advanced capabilities.

Although the a7R III has a lower video score, it still provides respectable 4K video resolution, making it suitable for many videographers who do not require the extreme detail and frame rate offered by the a1. However, it is clear that the Sony a1 outshines the a7R III in video capabilities.

Considering the differences in video scores, resolution, dimensions, and frame rate, the Sony a1 is the superior choice for videographers seeking advanced capabilities and exceptional video quality. While the Sony a7R III remains a viable option for those who do not need the top-tier features provided by the a1, it cannot compete with the a1’s impressive performance in video capture.

Video
Video
86%
56%
Video
Max Video Resolution
8K
4K
Max Video Dimensions
7680 x 4320 px
3840 x 2160 px
Max Video Frame Rate
120 p
30 p
Time-Lapse Built In
Video File Format
LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch(48 kHz 24bit), LPCM 4ch(48 kHz 24bit), MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4

Sony a1 vs a7R III Features and Benefits

The Sony a1 and Sony a7R III both have a feature score of 83/100, indicating that they share many common specifications. Both cameras have a 3-inch screen with a resolution of 1440000 dots, a touchscreen, a flip screen, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Neither camera has GPS.

The Sony a1 excels in some areas compared to the Sony a7R III. Its advanced features provide a better user experience and more functionality for photographers. The a1 has a higher resolution and faster processing speed, allowing for quicker photo capture and more detail in images. Additionally, the a1 has better autofocus performance, making it easier to capture fast-moving subjects.

On the other hand, the Sony a7R III also has its advantages. It is generally more affordable than the Sony a1, making it a more accessible option for photographers on a budget. Furthermore, the a7R III has a longer battery life, allowing for extended shooting sessions without the need for frequent battery replacements. This can be a significant advantage for photographers who spend long periods of time in the field.

In comparing the Sony a1 and Sony a7R III, it is clear that both cameras have their strengths and weaknesses. The Sony a1 offers better performance and advanced features, while the Sony a7R III provides a more affordable option with longer battery life. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras depends on the individual photographer’s needs, preferences, and budget.

Features
Features
83%
83%
Built-in Flash
External Flash
GPS
Weather Sealing
Screen Type
LCD
LCD
Touch Screen
Screen Size
3"
3"
Screen Resolution
1,440,000 dots
1,440,000 dots
Flip Screen
Live View
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth

Sony a1 vs a7R III Storage and Battery

The Sony a1 outperforms the Sony a7R III in storage and battery with a score of 73/100 compared to 65/100. Both cameras have two memory card slots and use the NP-FZ100 battery type. The Sony a1 accepts SD and CFexpress Type A cards, while the Sony a7R III is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

The Sony a1’s advantage lies in its compatibility with CFexpress Type A cards, which offer faster read and write speeds. Additionally, the Sony a1 supports USB charging, providing more charging flexibility. However, the Sony a7R III boasts a slightly longer battery life of 650 shots compared to the Sony a1’s 530 shots.

Despite the longer battery life of the Sony a7R III, the Sony a1’s superior storage options and USB charging capability make it the better choice for storage and battery performance.

Storage and Battery
Storage and Battery
73%
65%
Memory Card
SD,CFexpress Type A (UHS-II compatible)
SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Dual Memory Card Slots
Battery Type
NP-FZ100
NP-FZ100
Battery Life
530 shots
650 shots
USB Charging
Photography Genre
Graded from the first-hand experience of one of our writers
Beginner Friendly
85%
90%
Portrait
90%
85%
Landscape
90%
95%
Sports and Action
95%
80%
Street
90%
100%
Value for Money
60%
90%
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK
Overall Score
98%
100%
Portrait (Color Depth)
25.9 bits
26 bits
Landscape (Dynamic Range)
14.5 EVs
14.7 EVs
Sports (Low-Light ISO)
3163
3523
Scores

Sony a1 vs a7R III – Our Verdict

Sony a1 vs a7R III Comparison image.

Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a1 or the Sony a7R III:

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