Sony a7 II → Sony a7 III
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Sony a7 III is the direct successor to your Sony a7 II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 12 items and steps back on 4. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; subject-detection AF is added; 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a7 III lists at $1,999 (the Sony a7 II launched at $1,699, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Sony a7 III if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 10fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — a higher native ISO ceiling (51,200) gives it the edge after dark.
- ✓You need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
Stick with the Sony a7 II if…
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (23 items)
↑ 12 improved · ↓ 4 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony a7 II | Sony a7 III |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| ↓Effective Resolution | 24.3 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 25600 | 100 – 51200 |
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 51200 | 50 – 204800 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 10 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 25p | Up to 30p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| ↑Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Eye AF | No | Yes |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| ↑EVF Magnification | 0.71x | 0.78x |
| Monitor | ||
| ↓LCD Resolution | 1.23M dots | 0.92M dots |
| ↑Touch Screen | No | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 2x SD (1x UHS-II) |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $1,699 | $1,999 |
| →Dimensions | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm | 126.9×95.6×73.7 mm |
| ↓Weight | 599g (1.32 lb) | 650g (1.43 lb) |
| ↑Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 350 shots | 610 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 410 shots | 710 shots |
| →Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
What stayed the same (22 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony a7 II already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony a7 II (keep or buy used)
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Sony a7 III
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony a7 II to the Sony a7 III?
The Sony a7 III is the direct successor to your Sony a7 II, released 4 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 12 items and steps back on 4. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 5fps to 10fps; subject-detection AF is added; 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a7 III lists at $1,999 (the Sony a7 II launched at $1,699, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Sony a7 III over the Sony a7 II?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a7 III improves 12 items. The most significant: 10fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 5fps would drop frames. it brings 10-bit internal colour, Log for gradable footage and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. a higher native ISO ceiling (51,200) gives it the edge after dark. dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
What does the Sony a7 II still do just as well as the Sony a7 III?
22 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (BIONZ X), lens mount (Sony E), mechanical shutter (1/8000), electronic shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a7 III give anything up compared to the Sony a7 II?
Yes — 4 items on the spec sheet move the other way: effective resolution (24.3 MP → 24.2 MP), lcd resolution (1.23M dots → 0.92M dots), price (msrp) ($1,699 → $1,999), weight (599g (1.32 lb) → 650g (1.43 lb)).