Sony a7S III vs Sony a7R II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S III and Sony a7R II. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a7S III were released 2020 and Sony a7R II was released 2015. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7S III 2020
Sony a7R II 2015

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 a7S III 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a7R II 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 a7S III has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7R II has 42 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7S III 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Sony a7R II 42 MP
42177408 pixels
7952 x 5304

Sony a7R II has a 251 % larger resolution than Sony a7S 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

Sony a7S III has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7R II. Sony a7S III has an ISO range that stretches from 80 to 102400 while Sony a7R II has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S III 80-102400
Sony a7R II 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 a7S III
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7R II

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a7R II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S III 10
Sony a7R II 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a7S III and Sony a7R II 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 a7S III weighs 699 gr (equal to 1.54 lb) which is 12% heavier than Sony a7R II and its 625 gr (or 1.38 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S III 699 gr
1.54 lb
Sony a7R II 625 gr
1.38 lb

Sony a7S III vs Sony a7R II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S III and Sony a7R II, 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 a7S III
Sony a7R II
Name Sony a7S III Sony a7R II
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Release Year 2020 2015
Release Date 2020-07-28 2015-06-10
MSRP 3499 USD 3199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 7952 x 5304 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 42 MP
Image Processor Bionz XR Bionz X
Image
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
ISO Range 80 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 4.5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
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
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 399
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 a7S III
Sony a7R II
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1440000 1228800
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.91x 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution 9440000 N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Frames per second 10 fps 5 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
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 a7S III
Sony a7R II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (wireless or smartphone) Yes (wired or via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S III
Sony a7R II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 600 shots 290 shots
Width 129 mm 127 mm
Height 97 mm 96 mm
Depth 81 mm 60 mm
Weight 699 gram 625 gram