Sony A99 II vs Sony A7R III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 II vs Sony A7R 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 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R III.
Compare Sony A7R III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7R IV
Compare A7R III vs A7R IV
Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony A7R IV

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Sony A7R 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
Longer video battery life
135 vs 100 minutes
Capture more video
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 9.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7R III advantages over Sony A99 II

Less expensive
$2198 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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.
A7R III test data on DxO Mark A99 II test data on DxO Mark

3,523 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

650 vs 490 shots
Capture more photos

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 A7R III User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A99 II

Body Only

All A99 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 lens

All A7R 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

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.
Read our Sony A7R 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 A7R III

Canon 5DS R

$2348
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7R III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A99 II

Sony A7R II

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Bluetooth

$2898
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R II

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 A7R III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2348
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R 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 A7R III

Nikon D850

$2348
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon D850

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A99 II

Nikon Z7 II

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$2730
35mm

Touchscreen
Newer

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R III

Nikon Z7 II

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2730
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?