Decision tools · Compare
A7 III vs A7S II
Quick take: The A7 III has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A7S II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A7S II 2015
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
£799
list price · used from £400 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 III — All-Round Photography & Video: Still one of the best all-round cameras money can buy — particularly strong used. The A7 III proved that full-frame doesn't have to mean compromises, and nothing at this price point has meaningfully beaten it.
A7S II — Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking: A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Who should buy what
A7 III (2018)
is the right camera for you if…
- Enthusiast photographers upgrading from APS-C for the first time
- Working photographers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Anyone who shoots in low light regularly
- Hybrid shooters needing both stills and video performance
A7S II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7 IIISony · 2018 | A7S IISony · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £799Best |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF | Contrast-detect AF, 169 points; limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps with AF/AE trackingBest | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~710 shots (CIPA)Best | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 565g (body only)Best | 584g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
A7 III
A7S II
Portrait
7.6/10
5.8/10
Street
6.2/10
5.3/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.2/10
Wedding & Events
7.5/10
5.6/10
Filmmaking
6.4/10
6.2/10
Documentary
6.8/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
7.3/10
5.2/10
Landscape
6.2/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
7.5/10
5.6/10
Casual
5.4/10
3.5/10
Food
6.6/10
5.2/10
Macro
5.8/10
4.8/10
Architecture
6.1/10
4.8/10
Astrophotography
7.4/10
6.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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