Sony α9 III
Global shutter · 24.6 MP · 120fps
Sony Alpha 7 IV
33 MP full-frame · 4K60 · Hybrid
Sony α9 III takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony α9 III lands at 94 and Sony Alpha 7 IV at 92. That puts Sony α9 III ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
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
Pick Sony Alpha 7 IV if…
- ✓Great hybrid stills + video
- ✓Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- ✓Dual card slots
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 90).
Ergonomics
Sony α9 IIICompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Sony α9 III leads on ergonomics (92 vs 88).
Value for money
Sony Alpha 7 IVSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony Alpha 7 IV more score per dollar ($2,498 vs $5,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony α9 III | Sony Alpha 7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.6 MP global-shutter CMOS | 33 MP Exmor R CMOS |
| Mount | Sony E | 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 | 4K60 (Super35), 4K30 full-frame |
| AF | 759 phase-detect points (still) / 627 (video) | — |
| ISO | ISO 250–25600 native (125–51200 extended) | — |
| Weight | 702 g (with battery + card) | — |
| Stabilization | — | 5-axis IBIS |
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
Sony Alpha 7 IV
- +Great hybrid stills + video
- +Excellent AF with Real-time Tracking
- +Dual card slots
- −4K60 is Super 35 crop
- −Menus still dense
- −Heats with long 4K recording
FAQ: Sony α9 III vs Sony Alpha 7 IV
Which is better, Sony α9 III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony α9 III scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony α9 III worth the price? +
At $5,999, Sony α9 III delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in af.
Is Sony Alpha 7 IV worth the price? +
At $2,498, Sony Alpha 7 IV delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in autofocus.
Does Sony α9 III or Sony Alpha 7 IV 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 α9 III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony α9 III — leads on video (92 vs 90). Compared on the video sub-score.
Which is better for ergonomics, Sony α9 III or Sony Alpha 7 IV? +
Sony α9 III — leads on ergonomics (92 vs 88). Compared on the ergonomics sub-score.