A7S IIIvs Sony RX100 VII
Which should you buy?
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
Travel & Versatility — Sony RX100 VII (2019): The most versatile compact camera ever made — 24-200mm zoom, 20fps burst, and 960fps slow-motion in a jacket pocket.
Who should buy what
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
Sony RX100 VII (2019)
- You want serious image quality in a camera small enough to carry absolutely everywhere
- You shoot travel, events, or street photography and want something discreet but genuinely capable
- You need fast burst shooting and reliable autofocus in the most pocketable possible package
Quick take: The sony rx100 vii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the sony rx100 vii is the most affordable; only the a7s iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S III (2020) | Sony RX100 VII (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,999 | £1,099 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS (stacked) |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p | 4K/30p HLG, FHD/960fps super slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition | 357-point phase-detect + 425 contrast, Eye AF, tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop IBIS | 3-stop Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical | 20fps AF/AE tracking (90fps short burst) |
| Battery Life | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 699g (body, battery, card) | 302g with battery and card |
| Dimensions | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made | Pop-up EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC |
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