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Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Comparison

Optics
Video
Features
Storage & Battery

Sony a7 IV

sony a7 iv
Winner!
84%

Sony a7S III

sony a7s iii
74%
Sony a7 IV
vs
Sony a7S III
Price
Brand
Sony
Sony
Model
a7 IV
a7S III
Released
2021
2020
Announcement Date
October 21, 2021
July 28, 2020
Camera Type
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
Camera Size
Camera Weight

The Sony a7 IV outperforms the Sony a7S III with a score of 84/100 compared to 74/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and have similar dimensions, with the a7 IV measuring 131 x 96 x 80mm and the a7S III at 129 x 97 x 81mm. They were released in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The a7 IV has the edge due to its lighter weight of 659g compared to the a7S III’s 699g. Additionally, it boasts a lower launch price of $2499, making it more affordable than the a7S III’s $3499 price tag.

While the a7S III has a lower score, it still offers excellent performance and is a solid choice for those who prioritize a slightly more compact body.

In the end, the Sony a7 IV emerges as the better option, offering superior value and a lighter design without sacrificing quality. The Sony a7S III remains a viable alternative for those seeking a more compact camera.

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Overview and Optics

The Sony a7 IV outperforms the Sony a7S III in optics, scoring 85/100 compared to the latter’s 69/100. Both cameras share several specifications, such as a 10 fps shooting speed, CMOS sensor, Bionz XR processor, full-frame sensor size, Sony FE lens mount, and image stabilization.

The Sony a7 IV excels with its 33-megapixel sensor, providing higher resolution images compared to the a7S III’s 12.1-megapixel sensor. This difference allows for capturing more detail and enlarging photos without losing quality. Additionally, the a7 IV boasts a superior DXOMARK score of 97, indicating better overall image quality and performance than the a7S III’s score of 86.

Despite its lower score, the Sony a7S III has advantages in specific situations. Its 12.1-megapixel sensor offers larger individual pixels, leading to better low-light performance and less noise in high ISO settings. This makes the a7S III a strong contender for videographers and photographers working in challenging lighting conditions.

To conclude, the Sony a7 IV is the better choice for photographers seeking higher resolution and overall image quality. Its superior optics score and higher megapixel count make it ideal for capturing detailed images and enlarging photos without losing quality. On the other hand, the Sony a7S III is better suited for low-light situations and high ISO performance due to its larger individual pixels. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.

Optics
Optics
85%
69%
Megapixels
33 MP
12.1 MP
Image Resolution
7008 x 4672 px
4240 x 2832 px
Sensor Type
CMOS
CMOS
Sensor Size
23.8 x 35.6 mm
23.8 x 35.6 mm
Sensor Format
Full Frame
Full Frame
Frame Rate
10 fps
10 fps
Lens Mount
Sony E
Sony FE
Image Processor
Bionz XR
Bionz XR
Aspect Ratio
3:2
3:2
Minimum ISO (Native)
100
80
Maximum ISO (Native)
51,200
102,400
Minimum ISO (Expanded)
50
40
Maximum ISO (Expanded)
204400
409600
Minimum Shutter Speed
30 s
30 s
Maximum Shutter Speed
1/ 8000 s
1/ 8000 s
Autofocus Points
759
759
In-body Stabilization
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution
3,686,400 dots
9,440,000 dots

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Video Performance

The Sony a7 IV outperforms the Sony a7S III in video capabilities with a video score of 91/100, compared to the latter’s 77/100. Both cameras share some common specifications, such as 4K max video resolution, max video dimensions of 3840 x 2160, and a max video frame rate of 120fps. However, there are differences that make the Sony a7 IV the superior choice for videographers.

One significant advantage the Sony a7 IV has over the a7S III is the built-in time-lapse functionality. This feature allows users to create stunning time-lapse videos without the need for additional software or accessories, making it a more convenient and user-friendly option for capturing dynamic scenes and events.

While the Sony a7S III does not possess any notable advantages over the a7 IV in terms of video capabilities, it still offers excellent performance with its shared specifications of 4K resolution and 120fps frame rate. This means that the a7S III can still deliver high-quality video results, but it lacks the added benefit of the built-in time-lapse feature found in the a7 IV.

Considering the differences in video scores and the presence of built-in time-lapse functionality, the Sony a7 IV is the clear winner in this comparison. Videographers who prioritize convenience and a more comprehensive feature set will find the a7 IV to be the better choice. On the other hand, those who are not concerned with time-lapse functionality can still achieve impressive video results with the Sony a7S III, but should be aware of its limitations compared to its counterpart.

Video
Video
91%
77%
Video
Max Video Resolution
4K
4K
Max Video Dimensions
3840 x 2160 px
3840 x 2160 px
Max Video Frame Rate
120 p
120 p
Time-Lapse Built In
Video File Format
MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
XAVC S, XAVC HS

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Features and Benefits

The Sony a7 IV and the Sony a7S III both have a feature score of 83 out of 100, making them equally impressive in terms of features. They share several specifications, such as a 3-inch screen, touchscreen functionality, a flip screen, no GPS, and connectivity options like WIFI and Bluetooth.

The Sony a7S III outperforms the a7 IV in screen resolution, with 1,440,000 dots compared to the a7 IV’s 1,040,000 dots. This higher resolution provides a clearer and more detailed display for users when composing shots and reviewing images. Therefore, the a7S III offers an advantage in terms of display quality.

On the other hand, the Sony a7 IV does not surpass the a7S III in any significant features, as they share the same score and most specifications. However, this does not make the a7 IV a lesser camera; it simply means that both models are equally strong in terms of features. Potential buyers should consider other factors, such as price and specific use cases, when deciding between the two models.

Comparing the features of these two cameras reveals that they are evenly matched, with the a7S III having a slight edge in screen resolution. Both cameras are strong options for photographers and videographers, and the choice between them will depend on individual preferences and needs. Ultimately, the Sony a7 IV and the Sony a7S III are excellent cameras, each with its own strengths and competitive features.

Features
Features
83%
83%
Built-in Flash
External Flash
GPS
Weather Sealing
Screen Type
LCD
LCD
Touch Screen
Screen Size
3"
3"
Screen Resolution
1,040,000 dots
1,440,000 dots
Flip Screen
Live View
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Storage and Battery

The Sony a7 IV and Sony a7S III both score 76/100 for storage and battery, showing no clear winner in this category. They share common specifications, such as two memory card slots, compatibility with CFexpress Type A and SD (UHS-II) cards, and NP-FZ100 battery type. Additionally, both cameras offer USB charging capabilities.

However, the Sony a7S III has a slightly longer battery life of 600 shots, compared to the Sony a7 IV’s 580 shots. This advantage may be beneficial for extended shooting sessions. On the other hand, the Sony a7 IV’s storage options and battery life are still impressive and suitable for most photography needs.

Taking these factors into account, both cameras perform well in terms of storage and battery, with the a7S III having a slight edge in battery life. Ultimately, the choice between these cameras depends on individual preferences and specific requirements.

Storage and Battery
Storage and Battery
76%
76%
Memory Card
CFexpress Type A, SD (UHS-II compatible)
SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress Type A
Dual Memory Card Slots
Battery Type
NP-FZ100
NP-FZ100
Battery Life
580 shots
600 shots
USB Charging
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK
Overall Score
97%
86%
Portrait (Color Depth)
25.4 bits
23.7 bits
Landscape (Dynamic Range)
14.7 EVs
13.9 EVs
Sports (Low-Light ISO)
3379
2520
Scores

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III – Our Verdict

Sony a7 IV vs a7S III Comparison image.

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