Sony a7S II vs Sony a7S III
The bottom line
Same line, different generation: the Sony a7S III (2020) moves ahead on burst speed (10fps vs 5fps), 4K frame rate (120p vs 30p) and subject-detection AF. The Sony a7S II is still the value pick at $2,999 ($3,499 for the Sony a7S III). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Sony a7S II gives you most of the experience for less.
Choose the Sony a7S II if…
- ✓You value portability — at 584g (1.29 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 699g (1.54 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Choose the Sony a7S 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 smoother 120p 4K vs 30p and no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap).
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
- ✓You need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
Where they differ
- ›Video: the Sony a7S III is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 120p, 10-bit internal and Log.
- ›Price: the Sony a7S II launched at $2,999, $500 under the Sony a7S III — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Burst: the Sony a7S III shoots 10fps to the Sony a7S II's 5fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Card slots: the Sony a7S III has dual slots for instant backup — the reliability paid work depends on.
- ›Durability: the Sony a7S III is weather-sealed against dust and rain; the other isn't.
- ›Weight: the Sony a7S II is 584g (1.29 lb) vs 699g (1.54 lb) — 115g you'll feel on a long day out.
Frequently asked
Is the Sony a7S II or the Sony a7S III better?
Same line, different generation: the Sony a7S III (2020) moves ahead on burst speed (10fps vs 5fps), 4K frame rate (120p vs 30p) and subject-detection AF. The Sony a7S II is still the value pick at $2,999 ($3,499 for the Sony a7S III). If those newer features aren't ones you'll actually use, the Sony a7S II gives you most of the experience for less.
Who should choose the Sony a7S II?
Choose the Sony a7S II if you value portability — at 584g (1.29 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 699g (1.54 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Who should choose the Sony a7S III?
Choose the Sony a7S 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. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 30p and no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap). Choose it if you vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio. Choose it if you need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
What is the main difference between the Sony a7S II and the Sony a7S III?
Video: the Sony a7S III is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 120p, 10-bit internal and Log.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ XR |
| Effective Resolution | 12.2 MP | 12.1 MP |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 102400 | 80 – 102400 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 409600 | 40 – 409600 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps | 10 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 120p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 240p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | 29 min | No limit |
| Log Profiles | S-Log2 / S-Log3 / HLG | S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | − | 759 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | − | -6 EV |
| Eye AF | No | Yes |
| Animal AF | No | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 9.44M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.78x | 0.91x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.23M dots | 1.44M dots |
| LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5 |
| USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 2x CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $2,999 | $3,499 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions | 126.9×95.7×60.3 mm | 128.9×96.9×80.8 mm |
| Weight | 584g (1.29 lb) | 699g (1.54 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 310 shots | 510 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 370 shots | 600 shots |
| Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
