Sony α7 II vs α7 III (Used): What Sony’s Specifications Say You Get for More
Both are full-frame Sony E-mount bodies with about 24 million effective pixels, so lenses carry over. On Sony’s pages the α7 III is the faster body (up to about 10 vs 5 images per second) with two card slots and a different battery (NP-FZ100 vs NP-FW50). The α7 II is the older body; Sony Japan marks its product page as discontinued. Which one fits depends on your budget for the body, the batteries you already own and how much speed you need.
Models at a glance
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Sony α7 II
Sony E-mount · full frame
- 2014announced (Sony Japan)
- 24.3effective MP
- n/crated shutter not confirmed
-
Sony α7 III
Sony E-mount · full frame
- 2018announced
- 24.2effective MP
- 200,000rated shutter (Sony JP)
Illustrations show the product type, not the specific model. Figures are the manufacturers’ published specifications for new units; “n/c” means we did not find an official figure.
Good fit if
- You shoot, or plan to shoot, Sony E-mount and are comparing the two used bodies.
- You already own NP-FW50 batteries, which fit the α7 II but not the α7 III.
Not a fit if
- You need autofocus or video details — this table does not cover them; read Sony’s full specifications.
Side by side (Sony specifications)
| Sony α7 II | Sony α7 III | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | ||||||
| Effective pixels | 24.3 MP (highest in this row) | 24.2 MP | ||||||
| Top continuous speed | 5 fps | 10 fps (highest in this row) | ||||||
| Weight | 599 g | 650 g | ||||||
| Announced | November 2014 (Sony Japan) | February 27, 2018 (Sony Japan) | ||||||
| Stabilization | 5-axis in-body | In-camera sensor-shift | ||||||
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 | ||||||
| Card slots | Not confirmed (Sony lists Memory Stick and SD (UHS-I) media) | Two: SD (UHS-I/UHS-II) + SD or Memory Stick PRO Duo | ||||||
| Rated shutter life | Not confirmed | About 200,000 (Sony Japan press release, internal test conditions) | ||||||
| Search on eBay | See on eBay | See on eBay | ||||||
| As an eBay Partner, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. | ||||||||
Sources: Sony Japan product and specification pages for the α7 II (Japanese), Sony Help Guide and Sony Japan press release for the α7 III. Figures are for new bodies as published by Sony; they are not measurements of any used unit.
What to confirm on a used one
- The exact name on the body. “α7 II” and “α7 III” differ by one character in many titles; the seller’s photos should show the model name or the ILCE-7M2 / ILCE-7M3 code.
- Batteries. The α7 II uses NP-FW50 and the α7 III uses NP-FZ100, so a listing’s “battery included” must match the body. Ask how many and how old.
- Shutter count. Sony’s English documentation we read does not show a total shutter count; ask the seller for the count or the EXIF of a recent photo, and treat silence as unknown. See the used camera checklist.
- What is included: charger, strap, body cap and cards are often missing.
- The condition label. “Used”, “Open Box” (eBay’s New other) and eBay Refurbished mean different things — see Refurbished vs used.
Which one to look at first
- Look at the α7 III first if you want two card slots and faster bursts, and accept that it usually costs more.
See Sony α7 III on eBay - Look at the α7 II if the body saving matters more than speed and you already own, or can easily buy, NP-FW50 batteries. Sony Japan lists it as discontinued, so supply is used and old stock only.
See Sony α7 II on eBay - Either way, compare the total with batteries and lenses, not the body price alone. This is our analysis, not a Sony statement.
More on the newer body
Our Is a used Sony α7 III still worth buying? covers the α7 III in more detail, and best used mirrorless cameras compares it with two Canon bodies.
Current listings
Open an eBay search for each model, split by the condition label you care about. Searches are limited to Buy It Now items (remove that filter on eBay to see auctions).
- Search used Sony α7 II
- eBay Refurbished (Certified, Excellent, Very Good) on eBay Refurbished under eBay’s Refurbished program for approved sellers. Check eBay’s current terms and the listing for warranty and returns.
- Used on eBay Pre-owned; the seller describes the condition. Returns and warranty are whatever the listing states.
- Open Box (listed by eBay as “New other”) on eBay Unused or opened-box item. It is not an eBay Refurbished item.
- Search used Sony α7 III
- eBay Refurbished (Certified, Excellent, Very Good) on eBay Refurbished under eBay’s Refurbished program for approved sellers. Check eBay’s current terms and the listing for warranty and returns.
- Used on eBay Pre-owned; the seller describes the condition. Returns and warranty are whatever the listing states.
- Open Box (listed by eBay as “New other”) on eBay Unused or opened-box item. It is not an eBay Refurbished item.
Search results can include items for parts, empty boxes and accessories. Seller descriptions are the seller’s own statements; we have not verified them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between the α7 II and α7 III?
On Sony’s pages the α7 III is faster (up to about 10 vs 5 images per second), has two card slots and uses a different battery (NP-FZ100 vs NP-FW50). Both are full-frame E-mount bodies with about 24 million effective pixels.
Do lenses carry over between them?
Yes. Both use the Sony E-mount, so lenses carry over.
Is the α7 II still sold new?
Sony Japan marks its α7 II product page as discontinued, so supply is used and old stock.
How do I avoid buying the wrong generation?
Titles differ by one character. The seller’s photos should show the model name or the ILCE-7M2 / ILCE-7M3 code, and a listing’s “battery included” must match the body.
Model pages
- Sony α7 II: specifications, used checks, eBay search
- Sony α7 III: specifications, used checks, eBay search
Related guides
- Is a Used Sony α7 III Still Worth Buying?
- Best Used Mirrorless Cameras: Which Older Models Are Still Worth Buying
- Used Camera Buying Checklist: What to Confirm Before You Buy on eBay
Sources and method
Based on manufacturer documentation, not on testing the items. Facts are labeled by type. Manufacturer figures are for new products as documented by the maker; they are not measurements of any used item, and we did not buy, use or inspect these products. Reviewed 2026-11-06. See How We Evaluate.
- Sony Japan α7 II (ILCE-7M2) specifications (Japanese) — Official specification
- Sony Japan α7 II (ILCE-7M2) product page (Japanese) — Official specification
- Sony α7 III Help Guide — Specifications — Official specification
- Sony Japan press release, 2018-02-27 (Japanese) — α7 III — Official specification
- What to confirm in a used listing — Our analysis
PreOwnedPick is not eBay and does not sell, inspect, repair or warrant items. Prices, availability and terms are set by sellers and eBay.