• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7R III advantages over Panasonic S1R

  • Less expensive
    $1805 vs $4598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    73 mm vs 96 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    657g vs 1020g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic S1R advantages over Sony A7R III

  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    525k vs 360k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R III

Review Excerpt

  • Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.

  • Excellent high-resolution image quality; Good high ISO performance; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 4K 60p video; IBIS; Weather-sealing & comfortable ergonomics.

  • Contrast-detect AF system can struggle with fast-moving subjects; Burst shooting with C-AF is only 6fps; Sluggish buffer clearing; 4K video limited to 15min; Big & heavy; Expensive.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • High resolution composite
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic S1R
Sony A7R II
  • $3698
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7R III
Sony A9
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Panasonic S1R
Sony A9
  • $3698
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R IV
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels
Panasonic S1R
Sony A7R IV
  • $3698
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Top deck display
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Canon R5

Sony A7R III
Canon R5
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Top deck display
Panasonic S1R
Canon R5
  • $3698
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R III
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer
Panasonic S1R
Nikon Z7 II
  • $3698
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
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