Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip
full-frame · 2021
Sony α9 III
Global shutter · 24.6 MP · 120fps
Sony α9 III takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip lands at 92 and Sony α9 III at 94. That puts Sony α9 III ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip if…
- ✓Current-gen AF system
- ✓Proven lens ecosystem
- ✓Strong video + stills balance
Pick Sony α9 III if…
- ✓First full-frame global-shutter camera
- ✓120 fps at full resolution (14-bit RAW)
- ✓Sync flash to any shutter speed up to 1/80000 s
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testVideo
Sony α9 IIICompared on the video sub-score
Sony α9 III leads on video (92 vs 88).
Ergonomics
Sony α9 IIICompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Sony α9 III leads on ergonomics (92 vs 86).
Value for money
Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery gripSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip more score per dollar ($2,798 vs $5,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip | Sony α9 III |
|---|---|---|
| Format | full-frame | — |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
| Sensor | — | 24.6 MP global-shutter CMOS |
| Mount | — | Sony E |
| Max shutter | — | 1/80000 s electronic |
| Burst | — | Up to 120 fps full-res JPG / 14-bit RAW |
| Video | — | Up to 4K (3840×2160) at 120 fps |
| AF | — | 759 phase-detect points (still) / 627 (video) |
| ISO | — | ISO 250–25600 native (125–51200 extended) |
| Weight | — | 702 g (with battery + card) |
Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip
- +Current-gen AF system
- +Proven lens ecosystem
- +Strong video + stills balance
- −Body price excludes lens
- −Heavy for travel (flagship)
- −Learning curve on menus
Sony α9 III
- +First full-frame global-shutter camera
- +120 fps at full resolution (14-bit RAW)
- +Sync flash to any shutter speed up to 1/80000 s
- −24.6 MP feels conservative for the price
- −$5,999 body-only
- −ISO range tops at 25600 native
FAQ: Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip vs Sony α9 III
Which is better, Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip or Sony α9 III? +
Sony α9 III scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip worth the price? +
At $2,798, Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in photo.
Is Sony α9 III worth the price? +
At $5,999, Sony α9 III delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in af.
Does Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip or Sony α9 III last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for video, Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip or Sony α9 III? +
Sony α9 III — leads on video (92 vs 88). Compared on the video sub-score.
Which is better for ergonomics, Sony A7 IV · Body only · with battery grip or Sony α9 III? +
Sony α9 III — leads on ergonomics (92 vs 86). Compared on the ergonomics sub-score.