Decision tools · Compare
A7 vs A7 III
Quick take: The A7 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A7 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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 — Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction: The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
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.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7Sony · 2013 | A7 IIISony · 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £151 usedBest | £1,199 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MPBest | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps with AF/AE trackingBest |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~710 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card)Best | 565g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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
A7 III
Portrait
6.6/10
7.6/10
Street
6.2/10
6.2/10
Travel
6.0/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
5.3/10
7.5/10
Documentary
5.6/10
6.8/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
7.3/10
Landscape
5.8/10
6.2/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
7.5/10
Casual
3.9/10
5.3/10
Food
5.7/10
6.6/10
Macro
5.0/10
5.8/10
Architecture
5.6/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
7.4/10
Filmmaking
—
6.4/10
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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Camera family history