A7R IVvs A7S III
VS
Which should you buy?
Landscape, Studio, Commercial — A7R IV (2019): 61MP in a mirrorless body — the resolution benchmark.
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
A7R IV (2019)
- Landscape photographers who print large
- Studio shooters needing maximum detail
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 a7r iv has the highest resolution at 61mp; the a7r iv is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7R IV (2019) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 61.0MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K 30fps | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 665g (body only) | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, USB-C 3.2 | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R IV | A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — |
More comparisons with A7R IV
Camera family history