Upgrade Guide

Sony A7 II→Sony A7S III

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

A7 II

£549

2014

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7S III

£2999 (+£2,450)

2020

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A7 II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A7S III

↑

Stabilisation

Improved — 5.5-stop IBIS
↑

Burst rate

10fps mechanical vs 5fps
↑

Battery life

~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording vs 350 shots (CIPA)
↑

Generation

6 years newer (2020 vs 2014)

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A7 II	A7S III
Price	£549	£2,999
Released	2014	2020	↑
Sensor	Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm	12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated)
Resolution	24MP	12MP	↓
Video	1080p 60fps	4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	117-point phase-detect hybrid AF	Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops	5.5-stop IBIS
Burst Rate	5fps	10fps mechanical	↑
Battery Life	350 shots (CIPA)	~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording	↑
Weight	599g (body only)	699g (body, battery, card)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot	OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot	3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots
Mount	Sony E-Mount	Sony E-mount
Memory Cards	SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots)

Compare side-by-side

See A7 II and A7S III next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A7S III against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the A7 II

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Camera family history