A7Svs A7S III
Sony
A7S III (2020)
Starting from £2999 new
Best for Professional video & low-light filmmaking
View A7S III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
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
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
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 a7s has the highest resolution at 12mp; the a7s is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S (2014) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £600 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 12.2MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 474g (with battery and card) | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S | A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history