A7R IIIvs Sony FX30
VS
Which should you buy?
Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography — A7R III (2017): The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
Video Creators & Filmmakers — Sony FX30 (2022): The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
Who should buy what
A7R III (2017)
- 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
Sony FX30 (2022)
- Filmmakers and video creators who want a dedicated cinema-style APS-C body
- Content creators who need S-Cinetone and S-Log3 in a compact form factor
- A6700 owners who want cinema-style ergonomics and a full-size HDMI port
- Video professionals who want Sony's colour science without full-frame pricing
Quick take: The a7r iii has the highest resolution at 42mp. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7R III (2017) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,799 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 42.4MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 10fps with AF/AE tracking | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 650g body only | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.0" touchscreen, tilting | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots (one UHS-II) | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R III | Sony FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Documentary | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Travel | — |
More comparisons with A7R III
Camera family history