Z5vs A7S III
Sony
A7S III (2020)
Starting from £2999 new
Best for Professional video & low-light filmmaking
View A7S III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
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.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
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
Quick take: The z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history