Sony a7 II vs Sony a7 III
Comparison
Sony a7 II
Sony a7 III
Price | from $898Shop 2 Offers 
| from $1,998Shop 2 Offers
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Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a7 II | a7 III | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2014 | 2018 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | November 20, 2014 | February 27, 2018 | |
Camera Type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless | |
Camera Size | |||
Camera Weight |
Sony a7 II vs a7 III Specs
It’s a battle of the Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras – the Sony a7 II vs a7 III. Both cameras offer extremely close competition and performance, and it can be difficult to decide which one is better for your needs.
The upgraded Sony a7 III is the winner in terms of specs alone. However, it also carries a heftier price tag. The Sony a7 II may have advantages that make it the better choice depending on the photographer. We’ll take a look at the specs comparison between the two cameras to help you make the best decision for your photography needs.
As you may have guessed from the names, these models are closely related. The Sony a7 III is a relatively new camera, released in April 2018. It is the third model in Sony’s a7 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras, and it is an update to the a7 II. The Sony a7 II was released in 2015, making it about three years older than the a7 III. Other cameras in the a7 series include the a7R III, a7S III, a9 II, and Sony’s flagship mirrorless a1. All of these cameras feature full-frame sensors, but they differ in terms of their resolution, ISO range, autofocus system, and other features.
The two Sony cameras have much of the same hardware and features. There are many similarities. But there are also some major differences we need to consider.
The Sony a7 III is the superior camera compared to the Sony a7 II, with a range of features that have been upgraded from the older model. The a7 III offers improved autofocus performance, faster burst shooting, and enhanced image stabilization. It also has a longer battery life and dual memory card slots for added convenience. It features an updated 24.2 megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor. This makes it a better choice for capturing detailed images in a variety of environments. It is also the first Sony a7 model to feature a fully-articulating LCD screen. It allows for touchscreen usage, which the older a7 II is lacking.
The Sony a7 III has superior video performance compared to the Sony a7 II. The a7 III can record 4K UHD video at up to 30 frames per second and Full HD video at up to 120 frames per second. It also has improved low-light performance. Its improved autofocus system and 5-axis image stabilization also help to improve video quality. The a7 II, on the other hand, can only record Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second and has no image stabilization. Overall, the Sony a7 III has much better video performance than the Sony a7 II.
With its advanced features and superior quality, the Sony a7 III is our recommendation in this comparison. But, is it worth the extra cash? That depends on what you need as a photographer. The 24.3MP Full Frame Mirrorless Sony a7 II has advantages that make it a better choice for some photographers.
When compared to the Sony a7 III, the a7 II offers a few key advantages. It is lighter and more compact, making it easier to carry and handle. The Sony a7 III is about 51 g (11 lb) heavier that the a7 II. This means it’s still a relatively lightweight camera option. It is also 0.5 inches (14 mm) larger in one dimension. This won’t make a big difference to handle, but if you have the opportunity to physically test both you might notice minor differences depending on your shooting style.
The a7 II is less expensive, making it a great option for those looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera that packs a punch. This 24.3MP camera is capable of producing stunning images, with a wide dynamic range and excellent low-light performance. The Sony a7 II is equipped with a host of advanced features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, a fast autofocus system, and an intuitive menu system.
So, is the Sony a7 II or a7 III the one for you? Both have their strengths. Ultimately it’s up to which specs are most important to you, and how much you want to spend. Read on for the full specs comparison:
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Optics
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Sony a7 III
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Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.3 MP | 24.2 MP | |
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Image Resolution Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 6000 x 4000 px | 6000 x 4000 px | |
Sensor Type The camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. | CMOS | CMOS | |
Sensor Size The sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. | 23.9 x 35.8 mm | 23.8 x 35.6 mm | |
Sensor Format Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |  Full Frame | Full Frame | |
Frame Rate The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 5 fps | 10 fps | |
Lens Mount The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony E | Sony FE | |
Image Processor The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Bionz X | Bionz X | |
Aspect Ratio The aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |  3:2 | 3:2 | |
Minimum ISO Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 50 | 50 | |
Maximum ISO Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 51,200 | 204,800 | |
Minimum Shutter Speed The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 30 s | 30 s | |
Maximum Shutter Speed The maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. | 1/ 8000 s | 1/ 8000 s | |
Autofocus Points Autofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. | 117 | 693 | |
In-body Stabilization In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |   | | |
Viewfinder Type The viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. | Electronic | Electronic | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2,359,000 dots | 2,359,296 dots |
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Video
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Video Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |  | | |
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Max Video Resolution The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |  Full HD |  4K | |
Max Video Dimensions Video resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. | 1920 x 1080 px | 3840 x 2160 px | |
Max Video Frame Rate How many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. | 60 p | 30 p | |
Time-Lapse Built In A built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |   | | |
Video File Format Different cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. | XAVC S | XAVC S, AVCHD |
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Features
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Built-in Flash A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |  | | |
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External Flash External flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |  | | |
GPS GPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |  | | |
Weather Sealing Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |  | | |
Screen Type | LCD | LCD | |
Touch Screen Touchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |  | | |
Screen Size |  3" | 3" | |
Screen Resolution Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 1,230,000 dots | 921,600 dots | |
Live View Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |  | | |
Wi-Fi |  | | |
Bluetooth Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |  | |
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Storage and Battery
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Memory Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | |
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Dual Memory Card Slots |  | | |
Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 | |
Battery Life Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 350 shots | 750 shots | |
USB Charging |  | |
Sony a7 II vs a7 III Alternatives
Still not ready to make a decision? Check out our other popular camera comparisons for inspiration:
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DXO Mark Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
Sony a7 II
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Overall Score DXOMARK overall sensor score. | |||
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Portrait (Color Depth) As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.' | 24.9 bits | 25.1 bits | |
Landscape (Dynamic Range) As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.' | 13.6 EVs | 14.7 EVs | |
Sports (Low-Light ISO) Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better' | 2449 | 3722 |
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Scores
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Main Features | |||
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Extra Features | |||
Construction and Durability | |||
Handling and Ergonomics | |||
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Total Score |
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User Scores
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B&H photo video | N/A |
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