Sony a7 II vs a7S III Comparison

The Sony a7S III outperforms the Sony a7 II with a score of 74/100, compared to the a7 II’s 69/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and share similar dimensions, with the a7S III being slightly larger and heavier. They were released six years apart, with the a7 II launching in 2014 and the a7S III in 2020.

The a7S III surpasses the a7 II with its improved features and higher launch price of $3499, reflecting its advancements. While the a7 II may not be as advanced, it offers a more affordable option at $1600 for those seeking a quality camera without breaking the bank.

Taking these factors into account, the Sony a7S III is the superior choice for those seeking a more advanced camera, while the Sony a7 II remains a solid, budget-friendly option.

Sony a7 II vs a7S III Overview and Optics

The Sony a7 II surpasses the Sony a7S III in our optics comparison with a score of 78/100, while the a7S III scores 69/100. Both cameras share several specifications, including a CMOS sensor, full-frame sensor size, image stabilization, and compatibility with the Sony E and FE lens mounts, respectively.

The Sony a7 II outperforms the a7S III in terms of megapixels and sensor quality. With 24.2 megapixels, the a7 II captures more detailed images than the a7S III, which has 12.1 megapixels. Additionally, the a7 II’s sensor receives a higher DXOMARK score of 90 compared to the a7S III’s score of 86, signifying better overall performance.

On the other hand, the Sony a7S III has a faster shooting speed, capturing 10 frames per second (fps) compared to the a7 II’s 5 fps. This feature benefits photographers who require rapid image capture, such as those shooting sports or wildlife. The a7S III also utilizes the newer Bionz XR processor, which may result in faster processing and improved performance.

Despite the lower overall optics score, the a7S III caters to specific photography needs with its faster shooting speed and advanced processor. However, the Sony a7 II excels in image quality and sensor performance, making it the superior choice for photographers prioritizing detail and resolution in their images.

The Sony a7S III outperforms the Sony a7 II in video capabilities with a 21-point advantage in video score (77/100 vs 56/100). Both cameras share some common video specifications, such as the lack of built-in time-lapse functionality. However, the Sony a7S III surpasses the a7 II in other crucial aspects, leading to its higher score.

The Sony a7S III offers 4K video resolution with a maximum video dimension of 3840 x 2160, while the Sony a7 II only provides Full HD resolution with a maximum video dimension of 1920 x 1080. This difference means that the a7S III can capture more detailed and higher-quality video footage compared to the a7 II. Additionally, the a7S III has a significantly higher maximum video frame rate of 120fps, double the a7 II’s 60fps. This allows the a7S III to record smoother slow-motion footage and capture fast-moving subjects more effectively.

On the other hand, the Sony a7 II still has some benefits despite its lower video score. Its Full HD resolution and 60fps frame rate are sufficient for casual video recording and general use. Users who do not require 4K resolution or high frame rates may find the a7 II more than adequate for their needs.

Considering the video capabilities of both cameras, the Sony a7S III is clearly the superior choice for those seeking higher-quality video footage, better resolution, and smoother slow-motion recording. However, the Sony a7 II remains a viable option for casual video recording and general use where advanced video features are not a priority.

The Sony a7S III outperforms the Sony a7 II in features with a score of 83/100 compared to 57/100. Both cameras share some common specifications, such as a 3-inch screen size, flip screen, WIFI connectivity, and the absence of GPS. Despite these similarities, the a7S III has several advantages over the a7 II.

One advantage of the Sony a7S III is its higher screen resolution of 1,440,000 dots, compared to the a7 II’s 1,230,000 dots. This results in a sharper and clearer display. Additionally, the a7S III has a touchscreen, making it more user-friendly and efficient in navigating menus and settings. Furthermore, the a7S III includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for seamless pairing with compatible devices and remote control capabilities.

On the other hand, the Sony a7 II has its merits as well. Its flip screen and WIFI connectivity match the a7S III, offering flexibility in shooting angles and easy sharing of photos. However, its lack of a touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity puts it at a disadvantage compared to the a7S III.

In comparing the features of these two cameras, the Sony a7S III is the clear winner due to its higher screen resolution, touchscreen, and Bluetooth connectivity. While the a7 II holds its ground in some areas, the a7S III provides a more comprehensive set of features, making it a better choice for photographers seeking advanced capabilities and ease of use.

The Sony a7S III outperforms the Sony a7 II in storage and battery, scoring 76/100 compared to the a7 II’s 35/100. Both cameras share compatibility with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. However, the a7S III has two memory card slots and also accepts CFexpress Type A cards, while the a7 II has only one slot and supports Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo, and Pro-HG Duo cards.

The a7S III offers superior battery life with 600 shots per charge, using the NP-FZ100 battery. In contrast, the a7 II provides 350 shots with its NP-FW50 battery. Additionally, both cameras have USB charging, a convenient extra feature.

While the a7 II has fewer advantages in this comparison, it does support Memory Stick Duo cards, which may be beneficial for users with existing collections of these cards.

Considering the storage and battery aspects, the Sony a7S III is the stronger choice due to its dual memory card slots, broader memory card compatibility, and longer battery life. The a7 II may suit users with Memory Stick Duo cards, but overall, the a7S III offers more flexibility and convenience.

Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a7 II or the Sony a7S III:

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