Upgrade Guide

Sony FX3→Sony A7R

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

You own

Sony

FX3

£3799

2021

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7R

£349 (-£3,450)

2013

⚖️

Situational

One clear hardware improvement over the FX3. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.

What's new in the A7R

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	FX3	A7R
Price	£3,799	£349
Released	2021	2013	↓
Sensor	12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III)	36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF)
Resolution	12MP	36MP	↑
Video	4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone	1080p/60p
Autofocus	Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal)	Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor)
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS — 5 stops	None
Burst Rate	10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic	4fps	↓
Battery Life	~640 shots (CIPA)	~340 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	715g body only (with XLR handle)	465g (with battery and card)	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	No	↓
Viewfinder	None — monitor/external EVF use only	EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification
Screen	3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating	3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch)
Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)	Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots	Single SD UHS-I slot

Compare side-by-side

See FX3 and A7R next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A7R against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the FX3

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Camera family history