Sony a7 II vs a7S III Comparison
Sony a7 II
Sony a7S III
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Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a7 II | a7S III | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2014 | 2020 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | November 20, 2014 | July 28, 2020 | |
Camera Type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless | |
Camera Size | |||
Camera Weight |
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.
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Optics
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Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.3 MP | 12.1 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 | 4240 x 2832 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 XR | |
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 (Native) Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 50 | 80 | |
Maximum ISO (Native) Refers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 51,200 | 102,400 | |
Minimum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 50 | 40 | |
Maximum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 51200 | 409600 | |
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 | 759 | |
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 | 9,440,000 dots |
Sony a7 II vs a7S III Video Performance
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.
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Video
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Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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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 | 120 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, XAVC HS |
Sony a7 II vs a7S III Features and Benefits
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.
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Features
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Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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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 | 1,440,000 dots | |
Flip Screen A flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |  | | |
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. |  | | |
Sony a7 II vs a7S III Storage and Battery
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.
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Storage and Battery
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Sony a7S III
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Memory Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress Type A | |
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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 | 600 shots | |
USB Charging |  | |
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DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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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 | 23.7 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 | 13.9 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 | 2520 |
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Scores
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Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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Main Features | N/A | ||
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Extra Features | N/A | ||
Construction and Durability | N/A | ||
Handling and Ergonomics | N/A | ||
Value for Money | N/A | ||
Total Score | N/A |
Alternatives to the Sony a7 II and a7S III
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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User Scores
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Sony a7 II
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Sony a7S III
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B&H photo video |
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