For years, the Sony A7 II stood as a popular entry point into full-frame mirrorless photography. However, technology marches on, and Sony eventually unveiled its successor, the A7 III. Drawing upon advancements from flagship models like the A9 and A7R III, the A7 III packs impressive performance and features into a more accessible package. This makes it a compelling option for both enthusiasts and professionals seeking a well-rounded full-frame camera. But how exactly does the Sony A7iii Compared To A A7ii? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to uncover the key differences and determine if upgrading to the A7 III is the right move for you.
A7 III full comparisons:A7 III vs A7R III – A7 III vs X-T3A7 III vs Nikon Z6 – A7 III vs Canon EOS R
A7 III comparison previews:A7 III vs A9 – A7 III vs A7R IV – A7 III vs a6600
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1. Sensor: Back-Side Illuminated Technology and Processing Power
While both the A7 II and A7 III feature a 24MP full-frame sensor, the A7 III boasts a significant upgrade under the hood. It incorporates a newly developed 24.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor with back-side illuminated (BSI) technology. This BSI design is crucial because it allows for more efficient light gathering, directly impacting low-light performance and dynamic range. Sony claims a remarkable 15 stops of dynamic range for the A7 III at low ISOs. Independent tests, like those from DXOMark, support this claim, showing a noticeable improvement over the A7 II’s 13.6 stops.
Beyond the BSI sensor, the A7 III is equipped with a front-end LSI chip, similar to the one found in the high-performance A7R III. This chip, coupled with the updated BIONZ X image processor, dramatically accelerates readout and processing speeds. Sony states a 1.8x increase in processing speed compared to the A7 II. This enhanced processing power contributes to improved autofocus performance, faster continuous shooting, and better overall image quality.
Furthermore, the updated image processor in the A7 III is designed to deliver more accurate and pleasing color reproduction, particularly in skin tones and natural landscapes. Users have reported a noticeable improvement in JPEG color rendition, with a reduction in the yellow tint that was sometimes present in A7 II images, especially in portrait mode.
Both cameras offer 14-bit RAW recording in compressed and uncompressed formats, providing flexibility for post-processing.
A7 III, 1/60, f/8, ISO 100 – FE 16-35mm 2.8 GM
2. ISO Sensitivity: Enhanced Low-Light Performance
The combination of the new BSI sensor and the updated image processor gives the A7 III a significant edge in low-light photography. The native ISO range of the A7 III extends from 100 to 51200, expandable to ISO 50 (pull) and ISO 204800. For video recording, the expanded ISO range goes up to 102400.
In contrast, the A7 II has a native ISO range of 100-25600, with an optional pull ISO 50.
Real-world performance reflects these specifications. While photographers might hesitate to push the A7 II beyond ISO 6400, the A7 III delivers usable images at ISO 12800 and even ISO 25600 in extremely challenging light conditions. This expanded ISO range provides greater versatility when shooting in dimly lit environments, whether it’s indoor events, astrophotography, or nighttime cityscapes.
A7 III, 1/100, f/2.8, ISO 12800 – Samyang AF 35mm 2.8
Additional read:
Sony A7/A9 LOW LIGHT PHOTOgRAPHY GUIDE
3. Autofocus System: Flagship-Level Performance
One of the most substantial upgrades in the A7 III is its autofocus (AF) system. Borrowing technology from Sony’s flagship A9, the A7 III’s AF is a leap forward compared to the A7 II. The A7 III boasts a hybrid autofocus system with 693 phase-detection AF points covering an impressive 93% of the sensor area and 425 contrast-detection AF points. This wide coverage and high number of points translate to faster, more accurate, and more reliable focusing across a larger portion of the frame. The system also incorporates Sony’s 4D Focus, which predicts subject movement in three dimensions for enhanced tracking performance.
A7 III: 693 phase detection points
A7 III: 425 contrast detection points
In comparison, the A7 II features a more basic AF system with 117 phase-detection and 25 contrast-detection points. The A7 III also offers improved low-light AF sensitivity, down to -3EV compared to -1EV on the A7 II, making it more capable in dimly lit scenes. Sony claims the A7 III offers twice the focusing speed in low light and twice the tracking speed compared to its predecessor.
A7 II: 25 contrast detection points
The A7 III introduces the AF Track Sensitivity setting, allowing users to fine-tune the responsiveness of the autofocus system based on the subject’s movement. Real-world testing confirms the A7 III’s superior AF performance, particularly for tracking moving subjects like birds in flight and sports action.
Eye AF, a popular feature for portrait photographers, is significantly enhanced in the A7 III. It now functions in AF-S, AF-C, and even with A-mount lenses (with an adapter), whereas the A7 II limited Eye AF to AF-S and native E-mount lenses. Furthermore, firmware updates have added Animal Eye AF to the A7 III, expanding its versatility. AF is also available in Focus Magnifier mode on the A7 III, a feature absent in the A7 II.
A7 III, 1/800, f/4, ISO 2500 – FE 70-200mm 2.8 GM
Additional read:
Sony A7/A9 EYE AF guide
4. Shutter and Continuous Shooting: Speed and Versatility
The A7 III offers notable improvements in shutter modes and continuous shooting capabilities compared to the A7 II. The A7 III gains an electronic/silent shutter option, allowing for completely silent shooting, which is advantageous in situations where noise is disruptive, such as weddings, wildlife photography, or quiet events.
The continuous shooting speed is also significantly boosted from 5fps on the A7 II to 10fps on the A7 III with full AF/AE tracking. This 10fps speed is available with both the mechanical and electronic shutters. However, when shooting RAW at 10fps, the bit depth is reduced to 12-bit.
The buffer capacity also sees a substantial increase. The A7 III can capture up to 177 JPEGs, 89 compressed RAW, or 40 uncompressed RAW files in a single burst. In comparison, the A7 II is limited to approximately 50 JPEGs or 20 compressed RAW frames at its maximum continuous shooting speed.
At up to 8fps, the A7 III provides a live view feed with blackouts, while at 10fps, it displays the last captured image, similar to the A7 II’s 5fps behavior.
A significant usability improvement in the A7 III is the ability to access the main menu, FN menu, and adjust settings while images are being written to the memory card during continuous shooting. This was not possible on the A7 II, which could slow down workflow in fast-paced shooting situations.
For shooting under artificial lighting, the A7 III includes an Anti-Flicker function. This feature detects the frequency of flickering lights (100Hz and 120Hz) and synchronizes the shutter release to minimize exposure and color inconsistencies between frames. Note that the burst speed may be reduced when using Anti-Flicker, and it is not available with the electronic shutter or in movie mode.
Additional read:
Sony a7/a9 settings for sports guide
5. Image Stabilization: 5-Axis Steadyshot INSIDE
Both the Sony A7 II and A7 III are equipped with 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization (IBIS). The A7 II was actually the first Sony E-mount camera to feature this in-body stabilization system. While both cameras offer effective image stabilization, the A7 III provides a minor improvement in performance.
According to CIPA testing standards, the A7 III achieves up to 5 stops of shake reduction, compared to 4.5 stops for the A7 II. However, in practical shooting scenarios, this slight difference is often negligible for still photography. Photographers can typically achieve similar slow shutter speeds handheld with both cameras. The IBIS system is effective for both stills and video, allowing for sharper images and smoother video footage, especially in low-light conditions or when using longer lenses.
A7 III, 1/5, f/5.6, ISO 125 – FE 35mm 2.8 ZA
6. Video Capabilities: 4K and Advanced Features
The video capabilities of the A7 II are considered basic by modern standards. It records Full HD video up to 50/60p at 50Mbps. While it includes picture profiles and S-Log2, the video quality is not exceptional, with some aliasing present.
Below: a sample video recorded with the Sony A7 II in 2014
[Embed video here if possible, or link to a sample A7 II video]
The A7 III represents a significant leap forward in video performance. It can record 4K video internally with full pixel readout (no pixel binning) at 24/25fps across the full width of the sensor. This oversampling from approximately 6K of sensor data results insharper and more detailed 4K footage. At 30p in 4K, there is a slight 1.2x crop, utilizing around 5K of sensor information.
The A7 III also adds S-Log3 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) picture profiles, catering to HDR workflows and providing greater dynamic range and color grading flexibility.
Below: an official 4K video showcasing the Sony A7III’s video capabilities
[Embed video here if possible, or link to an official A7 III 4K video]
In 1080p Full HD, the A7 III can record at up to 120fps, enabling slow-motion video capture. Users can choose to record slow-motion footage in-camera at 25/30p or maintain the 120fps recording for more post-production flexibility. Additional video-centric features on the A7 III include Zebra pattern for exposure monitoring, Gamma Display Assist for viewing S-Log2/S-Log3 footage, and proxy recording for easier editing workflows.
Both cameras offer microphone input and headphone output jacks. They record internally in 8-bit 4:2:0 and can output 8-bit 4:2:2 video over HDMI.
7. Battery Life: A Game-Changing Improvement
Battery life is a major area where the A7 III dramatically outperforms the A7 II. The A7 III utilizes the larger NP-FZ100 battery, the same battery used in Sony’s flagship A7R III and A9 cameras. This battery offers significantly greater capacity than the older NP-FW50 battery used in the A7 II.
Sony claims the A7 III can capture approximately 710 shots per charge using the LCD screen (or 610 shots with the EVF) based on CIPA standards. This is exceptional battery life for a mirrorless camera and a substantial improvement over the A7 II’s approximately 350 shots per charge.
NP-FW50 (left) vs MP-FZ100 (right)
Battery grips are available for both cameras (VG-C2EM for A7 II, VG-C3EM for A7 III), allowing for even longer shooting times.
It’s worth noting that, consistent with Sony’s practice for this series, neither camera includes a dedicated battery charger in the box. Charging is done in-camera via USB, or an optional external charger can be purchased.
8. Touch Screen and Viewfinder: Enhanced User Interface
The A7 III introduces a touch screen LCD, a feature absent on the A7 II. The touch functionality on the A7 III allows for touch focus point selection, even when using the electronic viewfinder. This provides a more intuitive and faster way to adjust focus points, especially for video recording or when shooting from awkward angles.
A7 III
While both cameras have 3.0-inch LCD screens, the resolution differs slightly. Surprisingly, the A7 III has a slightly lower resolution screen at 922k dots compared to the A7 II’s 1,228k dots. However, in practical use, this difference in resolution is hardly noticeable.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) remains an OLED panel with 2.36 million dots in both models. However, Sony has improved the optical design of the A7 III’s EVF, increasing the magnification to 0.78x compared to the 0.71x magnification of the A7 II’s viewfinder. This higher magnification can provide a more immersive and detailed viewing experience.
9. Design and Functionality: Refinements and Ergonomics
Both the A7 II and A7 III are built with dust and moisture resistance and feature a magnesium alloy chassis. The A7 III incorporates a more robust lens mount, secured with six screws instead of four, enhancing durability, especially when using heavier lenses.
The A7 III inherits design and button layout refinements from the A9 and A7R III. Key ergonomic improvements include the addition of an AF joystick for quick focus point selection and a dedicated AF-ON button on the rear of the camera. The movie recording button has also been relocated to a more convenient position near the EVF.
The A7 III features dual SD card slots, with the first slot supporting UHS-II cards for faster read/write speeds. The A7 II has a single SD card slot with UHS-I support.
Connectivity is also upgraded on the A7 III with a faster USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) port. Both cameras include Wi-Fi and NFC, but the A7 III adds Bluetooth for geotagging images.
The A7 III boasts a redesigned and more intuitive menu system with improved customization options. The “My Menu” page allows users to save up to 30 frequently used settings for quick access. The A7 III also offers 11 custom buttons (compared to 10 on the A7 II) with 81 assignable functions. Image rating in playback mode and file name editing are also new additions on the A7 III.
One feature advantage of the A7 II is its compatibility with Sony’s PlayMemories Camera Apps. These apps allow users to add functionality like time-lapse, sky filters, and more (some are paid). The A7 III, like the A9 and A7R III, does not support PlayMemories Camera Apps.
Additional read:
sony menu and buttons setup guide
10. Price: Value Proposition and Market Positioning
As of early January 2021 pricing, the Sony A7 II had an official retail price of around $1400 / £1000 / €1000 (body only). However, due to its age, it can often be found at significantly lower prices, especially on the used market, making it an attractive entry-level full-frame option.
The Sony A7 III, being the newer model, is priced higher at approximately $2000 / £1750 / €1950 (body only).
Note that prices are subject to change over time.
Conclusion: Is the A7III Worth the Upgrade?
The Sony A7 II remains a compelling option for photographers looking to step into full-frame photography on a budget, especially when considering discounted prices on older stock or the second-hand market.
However, the Sony A7 III is undeniably a superior camera and a worthy successor. It incorporates significant improvements across almost every aspect, drawing features and performance from Sony’s flagship models. From its advanced sensor and image processor to its class-leading autofocus, enhanced video capabilities, vastly improved battery life, and refined ergonomics, the A7 III offers a more complete and versatile shooting experience.
While the A7 III comes at a higher price point, the array of features and performance enhancements it delivers make it a compelling value proposition for serious enthusiasts and professionals. It’s no surprise that the A7 III has become a best-selling full-frame mirrorless camera. If you are looking for a substantial upgrade from the A7 II or considering your first full-frame camera, the Sony a7iii compared to a a7ii clearly demonstrates the A7 III as the stronger and more future-proof choice.
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Check price of the Sony A7 II on:Amazon | Amazon UK | B&H Photo | eBay
Check price of the Sony A7 III on:Amazon | Amazon UK | B&H Photo | eBay
A7 III full comparisons:A7 III vs A7R III – A7 III vs X-T3A7 III vs Nikon Z6 – A7 III vs Canon EOS R
*Image galleries (with SOOC JPG and RAW files to download):***Sony A7 II sample photos – Sony A7 III sample photos
Sony A7 series guide and tutorials
