Upgrade Guide
Sony A7R IV→Sony Sony A9 III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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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 Sony A9 III
-
StabilisationImproved — 8-stop IBIS
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Burst rate120fps blackout-free electronic vs 10fps
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Generation4 years newer (2023 vs 2019)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution25MP (down from 61MP — optimised for low light)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7R IV | Sony A9 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -4.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.0 | ||
| Wildlife | +2.0 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +1.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A7R IV | Sony A9 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £5,999 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2023 | ↑ |
| Sensor | Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) | |
| Resolution | 61MP | 25MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K 30fps | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p | |
| Autofocus | 567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 8-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 120fps blackout-free electronic | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 665g (body only) | 703g body only | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Sony E-Mount | Sony FE (E-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
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Other upgrades from the A7R IV
Camera family history