Sony A99 II vs Sony A7 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 II vs Sony A7 III

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV
Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony A7 IV

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Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Sony A7 III

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 9.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7 III advantages over Sony A99 II

Less expensive
$1998 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 4.51 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark A99 II test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 2,317 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

710 vs 490 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
163 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 III User Reviews

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Body Only

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Buy the Sony A7 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II

Canon 5DS R

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Sony A7 III

Canon 5DS R

$1865
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7 III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Sony A7 III

Nikon D850

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon D850

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A99 II

Nikon Z6

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony A99 II

Nikon Z6 II

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1865
35mm

NFC
Longer video battery life

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

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