Sony a7R III vs Sony a99
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R III and Sony a99. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7R III were released 2017 and Sony a99 was released 2012. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7R III | 2017 |
Sony a99 | 2012 |
Type of camera
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 a7R III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a99 | 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 a7R III has a 42 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a99 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7R III |
42 MP
42177408 pixels 7952 x 5304 |
Sony a99 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a7R III has a 76 % larger resolution than Sony a99. 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
Sony a7R III has a larger ISO-range than Sony a99. Sony a7R III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a99 has 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7R III | 100-32000 |
Sony a99 | 100-25600 |
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 a7R III
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a99
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7R III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a99 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7R III | 10 |
Sony a99 | 6 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7R III and Sony a99 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 a99 weighs 812 gr (equal to 1.79 lb) which is 24% heavier than Sony a7R III and its 657 gr (or 1.45 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7R III | 657 gr 1.45 lb |
Sony a99 | 812 gr 1.79 lb |
Sony a7R III vs Sony a99 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R III and Sony a99, 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 a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Name | Sony a7R III | Sony a99 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Release Year | 2017 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2017-10-25 | 2012-09-12 |
MSRP | 3199 USD | 2799 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | SLT |
Sensor |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 7952 x 5304 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 42 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 8 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift 5-axis) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5.5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 399 | 19 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A 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 a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 1229000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3686400 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 6 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 Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7R III |
Sony a99 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 650 shots | 500 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 111 mm |
Depth | 74 mm | 78 mm |
Weight | 657 gram | 812 gram |