• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Sony A7R

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.36 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7R advantages over Sony A99

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,746 vs 1,555 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    465g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper 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 panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Resolution that rivals a medium-format camera; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Decent performance bearing in mind its extremely high resolution; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Extreme resolution makes focus and lens quality critical; Modest performance; Loud shutter; Lacks hybrid autofocus of the A7; Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Slow X-sync; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A99
Sony A7
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Sony A7R
Sony A7
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A7R
Nikon D800
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A7R
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Sony A7R
Nikon D800E
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A99
Sony A7R II
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A7R
Sony A7R II
  • $1799
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Compare Other Cameras?