Sony a7 IV vs Sony a7 III
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 IV and Sony a7 III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7 IV were released 2021 and Sony a7 III was released 2018. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 IV | 2021 |
Sony a7 III | 2018 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a7 IV | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a7 III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Sony a7 IV has a 33 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 III has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7 IV |
33 MP
32741376 pixels 7008 x 4672 |
Sony a7 III |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a7 IV has a 36 % larger resolution than Sony a7 III. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 IV | 100-51200 |
Sony a7 III | 100-51200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7 IV
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7 III
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7 IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a7 III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 IV | 10 |
Sony a7 III | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7 IV and Sony a7 III can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a7 IV weighs 659 gr (equal to 1.45 lb) which is 1% heavier than Sony a7 III and its 650 gr (or 1.43 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 IV | 659 gr 1.45 lb |
Sony a7 III | 650 gr 1.43 lb |
Sony a7 IV vs Sony a7 III Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 IV and Sony a7 III, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Name | Sony a7 IV | Sony a7 III |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Release Year | 2021 | 2018 |
Release Date | 2021-10-21 | 2018-02-27 |
MSRP | 2499 USD | 1999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Resolution | 7008 x 4672 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 33 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | BIONZ XR | Bionz X |
Image |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 11 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 5 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 759 | 693 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1036800 | 921600 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.78x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | 2359296 |
Photography features |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | No |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 H.265 XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
MPEG4 H.264 XAVC-S AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Remote Control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) | Wired |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 IV |
Sony a7 III |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
|
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 580 shots | 710 shots |
Width | 131 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 96 mm |
Depth | 80 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 659 gram | 650 gram |