Sony A99 vs Sony A7S

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 vs Sony A7S

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A99.

35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S.
Compare Sony A7S image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A99 II
Compare A99 vs A99 II

Succeeded by the Sony A7S II
Compare A7S vs A7S II

Compare SONY A99 II vs SONY A7S II

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Sony A7S

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
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

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

500 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7S advantages over Sony A99

Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 5.97 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

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.
A7S test data on DxO Mark A99 test data on DxO Mark

3,702 vs 1,555 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
48 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
507g vs 828g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
62 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 51200 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 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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A99

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7S

Sony a7S

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A99 Review

Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.
4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7S Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99

Nikon D800

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800

Sony A7S

Nikon D800

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S vs Nikon D800

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

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A7S

Canon 5D Mark III

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99

Nikon D800E

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800E

Sony A7S

Nikon D800E

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A99

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A99 vs Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7S II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A99

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A99 vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

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