How the Sony A7 III and Sony A7 IV compare on rated shutter life, sensor and value — and how to read the exact actuation count of either from a RAW file, free and in your browser.
Check Your Shutter Count →| Spec | A7 III | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sony A7 III | Sony A7 IV |
| Released | 2018 | 2021 |
| Sensor | 24.2 MP full-frame | 33 MP full-frame |
| Category | full-frame mirrorless | full-frame mirrorless |
| RAW format | ARW | ARW |
| Shutter type | Mechanical + electronic | Mechanical + electronic |
| Rated shutter life | 200,000 | 150,000 |
The A7 III is rated for 200,000 actuations versus 150,000 for the A7 IV — roughly 33% more rated shutter life. In practice that means a used A7 III at a given actuation count has consumed a smaller share of its rated life than a A7 IV at the same count.
Rated figures are manufacturer estimates, not hard limits. Many bodies shoot well past their rating, while a small number fail earlier — the rating is best read as a durability class, not a countdown. When buying used, what matters is the actual actuation count relative to that rating, which you can read for free below.
The A7 IV is the newer design (2021 vs 2018), which usually means longer firmware support, a more current autofocus system and a stronger residual value — but also a higher used price.
On resolution the A7 IV leads at 33 MP full-frame against the A7 III’s 24.2 MP full-frame — worth having if you crop hard or print large, while the A7 III keeps file sizes and low-light noise in check.
If you are buying used and plan to shoot heavily, the higher 200,000-actuation rating on the A7 III gives you more headroom before a shutter service becomes a consideration.
Because both are Sony bodies, your existing lenses and accessories carry straight across — the decision is purely about the body itself.
Both cameras write ARW RAW files, and ShutterCount reads the actuation count from the MakerNote of each.
See the full model guides for each body: Sony A7 III shutter count and Sony A7 IV shutter count.
The Sony A7 III is rated for 200,000 actuations, higher than the Sony A7 IV’s 150,000. Individual shutters can last well beyond — or occasionally fall short of — the official rating.
Take a photo, then drop the resulting ARW RAW file into shuttercount.app. The count is read from the file’s MakerNote entirely in your browser — no upload, no account.
The A7 IV is newer (2021), which tends to mean better resale value and longer support; the A7 III is often the better bargain used. Always verify the actual shutter count from an original RAW file before buying.
No. Only the manufacturer’s service centre can reset the hardware counter, and only after a physical shutter replacement. EXIF editors can rewrite surrounding metadata but cannot alter the in-camera counter, which is why you should always read it from an untouched ARW/ARW RAW file.
Compare shutter life and value across other popular bodies: