Decision tools · Compare
A7R vs A7R III
Quick take: The A7R III has the highest resolution at 42MP; the A7R 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 — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
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 | A7RSony · 2013 | A7R IIISony · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £704 usedBest |
| Sensor | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 36.4MP | 42.4MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 10fps with AF/AE trackingBest |
| Battery Life | ~340 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 465g (with battery and card)Best | 650g (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, 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
A7R III
Portrait
5.8/10
7.8/10
Street
5.7/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.7/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
4.4/10
7.5/10
Documentary
4.9/10
6.7/10
Sports & Action
4.5/10
7.3/10
Landscape
6.3/10
7.4/10
Wildlife
5.4/10
7.6/10
Casual
3.7/10
4.7/10
Food
5.6/10
7.0/10
Macro
5.0/10
6.2/10
Architecture
6.1/10
7.5/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
7.0/10
Filmmaking
—
6.3/10
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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