Upgrade Guide

Sony A7R III→Sony A7S III

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

You own

Sony

A7R III

£1799

2017

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7S III

£2999 (+£1,200)

2020

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A7R III. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A7S III

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A7R III	A7S III
Price	£1,799	£2,999
Released	2017	2020	↑
Sensor	42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS	12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated)
Resolution	42MP	12MP	↓
Video	4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p	4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF	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 with AF/AE tracking	10fps mechanical
Battery Life	~650 shots (CIPA)	~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording	↓
Weight	650g body only	699g (body, battery, card)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification	OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made
Screen	3.0" touchscreen, tilting	3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots
Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)	Sony E-mount
Memory Cards	Dual SD slots (one UHS-II)	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots)

Compare side-by-side

See A7R III and A7S III next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Other upgrades from the A7R III

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