Decision tools · Compare
A7R II vs A7R III
Quick take: The A7R 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
A7R III 2017
Best for Landscape, studio & commercial photography
£704
used today at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7R II — Portrait, Landscape & Studio Photography: The A7R II transformed the A7R series — adding IBIS, 4K video, BSI sensor tech, and phase-detect AF in one generation. A landmark Sony camera.
A7R III — Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography: The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
Who should buy what
A7R II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and architecture photographers who want 42MP with IBIS for handheld shooting
- Portrait and studio photographers who need high resolution with improved AF reliability
- Sony FE system users who want a capable high-resolution body at a used price
- A7R I owners who need the stabilisation, 4K, and improved AF the original lacked
A7R III (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Landscape and studio photographers who need 42MP resolution at a used-price discount vs A7R IV
- Canon/Nikon DSLR professionals considering a mirrorless switch at a lower investment
- Commercial and product photographers who want full-frame resolution with IBIS for handheld work
- Portrait photographers who want the sharpest possible full-frame files for large print work
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A7R IISony · 2015 | A7R IIISony · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £420 usedBest | £704 used |
| Sensor | 42.4MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 42.4MP | 42.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (S35 or full-frame), 1080p/120p | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | 399 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points, face detection | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 4.5 stops (first A7R with IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps with AF/AE trackingBest |
| Battery Life | ~290 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 625g (with battery and card)Best | 650g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) | 3.0" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD slots (one UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, 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
A7R II
A7R III
Portrait
7.1/10
7.8/10
Street
5.8/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.6/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
5.5/10
7.5/10
Filmmaking
5.9/10
6.3/10
Documentary
6.1/10
6.7/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
7.3/10
Landscape
6.4/10
7.4/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
7.6/10
Casual
3.9/10
4.7/10
Food
6.4/10
7.0/10
Macro
5.8/10
6.2/10
Architecture
6.4/10
7.5/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
7.0/10
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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