Upgrade Guide

Sony A7R IV→Sony A7S III

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

You own

Sony

A7R IV

£2199

2019

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7S III

£2999 (+£800)

2020

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A7R IV. 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 IV	A7S III
Price	£2,199	£2,999
Released	2019	2020	↑
Sensor	Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm	12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated)
Resolution	61MP	12MP	↓
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)	↓
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)

Compare side-by-side

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

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Other upgrades from the A7R IV

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