Joseph
The long-awaited Sony A7S III has finally been out, and boy, does it not disappoint. It is the best hybrid video camera that money can buy because of significant advancements in handling and connection, a razor-sharp viewfinder, and excellent low-light Performance across both video and stills. As a result, it’s one of the perfect video cameras and one of the best cameras for YouTube that you can get right now.
The body of only A7S III costs $3,498 in the United States, translating to £3,800 in the United Kingdom and $5,999 in Australia. It is a best-in-class, low-light 4K video camera thanks to a long-awaited 12.1MP back-illuminated full-frame sensor. It also features a new Bionz XR processor that brings 8x faster Performance and an expandable ISO of 40-409,600. Additionally, the specs impress with a class-leading 15 stops of dynamic range.
Sony Alpha 7S III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera (Renewed)
- 12.1MP1 Exmor R sensor, optimized for 4K, sensitivity and speed
- New BIONZ XR processing engine delivers 8x more processing power2
- Low noise images w/ ISO up to 409,6003 and 15+stop dynamic range4
- Up to 4K 120p5 10-bit 4:2:2 and full pixel readout in all rec. modes
- 12.1MP1 Exmor R sensor, optimized for 4K, sensitivity and speed
- New BIONZ XR processing engine delivers 8x more processing power2
- Low noise images w/ ISO up to 409,6003 and 15+stop dynamic range4
- Up to 4K 120p5 10-bit 4:2:2 and full pixel readout in all rec. modes
- Up to 4K 120p5 in XAVC S (AVC), XAVC HS (HEVC) and XAVC S-I (All-I)
The A7S III features a thoroughly articulating screen, which is one of the many other highlights of the show. Sony only hinted at this on the ZV-1, but it has now been fully implemented on an A7-series camera. In addition, the fact that Sony has finally chosen a complete touch user interface makes interacting with the camera much more intuitive, maybe an even larger deal for Sony fans who have been dissatisfied.
Sony a7s III Features.
Adding a screen that can be fully articulated is one of the most significant new features introduced by the A7S II. The function was first hinted at on the Sony ZV-1, but it has now finally been implemented on an A7-series camera and couldn’t have arrived any sooner.
The departures from custom to our great good fortune do not end there. The fact that Sony has finally chosen to implement a complete touch user interface, which works wonderfully, is likely to be of more significance to long-time fans of the firm and reviewers.
Other impressive flourishes can be found as you work your way around the camera’s body, such as a full-sized HDMI port and a dedicated record button on the top plate. These design and ergonomic changes are coupled with these other impressive flourishes to create a beautiful and comfortable camera.
Sony a7s III Build Quality.
The Sony A7S III is a sturdy piece of equipment despite its relatively small size. However, you might be excused for missing exactly how much of a revamp this will be based on first impressions considering that the body structure is identical to that of the A7S II.
To begin, one of the custom buttons above the grip has been replaced with a vast record button. This change helps establish that this camera focuses significantly on video recording. The control wheel is still located at the top of the handle, and it is joined there by a switch that turns the camera on and off, a button labeled C2, and dials for setting the mode and exposure (both of which can be locked).
Even though the A7S III does not have an official weather-sealing certification, Sony has informed us that it can withstand light rain. The ports are protected by rubberized coverings and are located on the camera’s left side when it is held with the lens facing the front.
These connections include a full-sized HDMI connector, a massive advantage for videographers. Additionally, there is a USB-C port and a micro USB port (it’s an unusual move on Sony’s part to have all of these), in addition to a headphone jack and a 3.5mm microphone jack. Finally, you can purchase a Sony XLR-K3M hot-shoe accessory if you yearn for XLR audio-in. This device allows for up to four audio inputs. In addition, memory card slots and an NFC point may be found on the right-hand side of the device.
Sony a7s III Performance.
When you first start using the Sony A7S III, one of the things that will stand out to you is how well it works in dim lighting. Increasing the ISO is not a challenging experience; it is pretty rewarding because the camera can handle high sensitivity in a mind-bogglingly excellent manner.
The low-light capabilities of the A7S III make perfect sense. Sony has developed a completely new 12.1-megapixel sensor with enormous pixels dispersed throughout the full-frame, 35mm surface area. On paper, these specifications aren’t new. Still, with double the readout rates of the A7S II’s sensor, a back-illuminated structure that can consume more light, and a new Bionz XR processor powering things along, the improvement in low-light Performance shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Sony a7s III Video & Image Quality.
Moving on to the image quality, we put the Sony camera through a head-to-head competition with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K by shooting at ISO 16,000, f/2.8, and 25 frames per second in 4K resolution. The Blackmagic looks to have exposed the scene a little better than the A7S III, but there is no debate on how well the A7S III handles noise; it is the apparent winner.
If you are unfamiliar with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, its low-light handling is well acclaimed because of its dual-native ISO. Additionally, it comes with an inexpensive price tag, costing less than a third of what the A7S III does.
The A7S III is head and shoulders above the Pocket Cinema Camera, capturing practically no discernible picture noise even though the film was shot in the dead of night. In contrast, the Pocket Cinema Camera records granular material that is entirely worthless.
Sony a7s III Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4240 x 2832 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 12 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 13 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
| Processor | Bionz XR |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB, BT.2020 |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 80-102400 (expands to 40-409600) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 40 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 409600 |
| White balance presets | 7 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | 5-axis |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 5.5 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Extra fine, fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.32)HEIFRaw (ARW 4.0) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 759 |
| Lens mount | Sony E |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,440,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live View | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.91× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 9,440,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (Multi-interface shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleContinuousSelf-timerBracketing (AE/WB/DRO) |
| Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weightedAverageSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 222 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 185 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 111 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 93 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 89 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual UHS-II SD/CFexpress Type A slots |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes (USB PD supported) |
| HDMI | Yes (Standard) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (wireless or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 600 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 699 g (1.54 lb / 24.66 oz) |
| Dimensions | 129 x 97 x 81 mm (5.08 x 3.82 x 3.19″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Sony a7s III Final Verdict
Sony Alpha 7S III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera (Renewed)
- 12.1MP1 Exmor R sensor, optimized for 4K, sensitivity and speed
- New BIONZ XR processing engine delivers 8x more processing power2
- Low noise images w/ ISO up to 409,6003 and 15+stop dynamic range4
- Up to 4K 120p5 10-bit 4:2:2 and full pixel readout in all rec. modes
- 12.1MP1 Exmor R sensor, optimized for 4K, sensitivity and speed
- New BIONZ XR processing engine delivers 8x more processing power2
- Low noise images w/ ISO up to 409,6003 and 15+stop dynamic range4
- Up to 4K 120p5 10-bit 4:2:2 and full pixel readout in all rec. modes
- Up to 4K 120p5 in XAVC S (AVC), XAVC HS (HEVC) and XAVC S-I (All-I)
Sony has not simply upgraded one or two parts of its A7S series; instead, with the new A7S III, it has made a set of enhancements that cover every camera area, resulting in a device superior to other cameras category. For example, it handles video playback well because of its articulating screen and touches the display.
Additionally, it features a full-sized HDMI connector and outstanding IBIS, which are at the top of the list of additional bonuses. It is quite a little more expensive than the A7S II was when it first came out, but if you are a filmmaker who needs large physical pixels and outstanding Performance in low light, this is the best option now available.
Sony a7s FAQs
What is the Sony A7S III good for?
The Sony A7S III has improved autofocus features, can capture high-quality video and photos even in low light, and records 4K video at a high resolution.
Is Sony A7S III Netflix approved?
The Sony A7S III has been given the green light in Netflix productions that call for highly high-quality video output.
Does A7S III overheat?
Although the Sony A7S III can overheat when recording for prolonged periods, the camera is equipped with sophisticated heat management technology that reduces the likelihood that it will do so.
Why is the Sony A7S III so good?
The Sony A7S III is an excellent camera because it has enhanced low-light capabilities, produces high-quality video output, and has a significantly streamlined autofocus system.
Is A7S III a good beginner camera?
Because it has more advanced functions and a higher price range than other options, the Sony A7S III might not be the best choice for beginners.
Is a7S III waterproof?
The weather-sealing on the Sony A7S III makes it resistant to some dampness and grime, but it does not make the camera waterproof.
Is Sony A7S III good for photos?
The Sony A7S III was initially developed for recording video, but it can also take good-quality photographs even in low-light settings.
Is Sony A7S III good for wedding videography?
Because of its sophisticated autofocus capabilities and high-quality video output, the Sony A7S III is an excellent option for videographers who wish to capture weddings on film.
What does the S stand for in Sony A7S III?
The “S” in “Sony A7S III” stands for “sensitivity,” referring to the camera’s great sensitivity to light, which makes it an excellent choice for photography in low-light environments.
Is Sony A7S III good for portraits?
Because of its sophisticated autofocus system and high-quality camera, the Sony A7S III can take exceptional portrait photographs.
Is the Sony A7S III mirrorless or DSLR?
The Sony A7S III is not a DSLR but rather a mirrorless type of camera.
How many fps is Sony A7S III?
The Sony A7S III can take up to 10 pictures per second when shooting in rapid mode.
Is A7S III full frame?
There is a 35mm sensor housed within the Sony A7S III, making it a full-frame camera.
How much will the Sony A7S III cost?
The Sony A7S III can be purchased for approximately $3,500 US.
Is the Sony A7S III good in low light?
Indeed, thanks to its high sensitivity and sophisticated noise reduction capabilities, the Sony A7S III performs admirably even in dim lighting conditions.
Is the Sony A7S III a professional camera?
The Sony A7S III is considered a professional camera because it was made for more sophisticated methods of photographing and filming.
How long does a7S III battery last video?
The battery life of the Sony A7S III is affected by several different variables, but the camera has the potential to record 4K footage continuously for up to 95 minutes.
Does Sony a7S III have Bluetooth?
The Sony A7S III does come equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for simple file transmission and remote operation using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.
