Sony a7S III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body

Sony a7S III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Summary

Some things are worth the wait and our Sony users can rejoice as the wait is over for the upgraded a7S III Digital Camera Body. The new Alpha mirrorless camera aimed at professional video makers and photographers comes five years after its’ predecessor and is brimming with upgrades across every feature. Sony has redeveloped the a7S III with the latest technologies for content creators, including a brand new full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor, matched with the high performance 8x faster BIONZ XR image processor. The 12.1 megapixel body is capable of capturing 10fps in both RAW and JPG simultaneously, bursting to over 1000 images and the camera also captures the latest highly compressed 10-bit HEIF format. Dynamic range has been extended to over 15EV stops, matched by an impressive native ISO of 80-102,400 which offers flexible stills and video capabilities in any lighting conditions.

The a7S III distinguishes itself even further with video, now recording high speed 4K movies at 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 internal, without overheating. Sony has also added new codecs which include XAVC-HS (H.265) and XAVC-S-I (All-I). These employ new colour science and S Log has Fx9 colour matching with a more natural ‘film’ look. Autofocus has also been upgraded for more precise control with 759 phase-detection AF points and enhanced Real-time Eye AF. Hand-held shooters gain up to 5.5EV stops of compensation thanks to a 5-axis Image Sensor-Shift mechanism which is particularly successful when paired with E-mount lenses developed by Sony. All of these technologies place demands on data capture which has been addressed by the inclusion of two card slots, one high speed Cfexpress and the other for SD UHS-II. The 9.44 million dot Quad-XGA OLED EVF provides an immersive viewing experience and Sony listened to users by introducing their first Vari-angle monitor for Vlogging, together with easier to navigate menu systems. Even ergonomics have been improved, with a heftier grip as well as more competent weather sealing.

Highlights specifications include:

• Beautiful 4K video at 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 internal for unlimited creative opportunities without overheating.
• Class leading image quality with a native ISO of 80-102,400 expandable up to ISO 40 to 409,600 for the ultimate low light performance when making movies or photos.
• Increased dynamic range of 15+ stops, drawing out details even in high contrast scenes.
• Brand new 12.1-MP full frame back-illuminated Exmor R sensor paired with powerful BIONZ XR image processor for outstanding performance and speed.
• Faster and more precise video autofocus utilising hybrid AF, with 759 phase-detection AF points, 92% coverage and enhanced Real-time Eye AF.
• New XAVC-HS (H.265) and XAVC-S-I (All-I) codecs, 16 Bit RAW data output, S-Log profile
• Up to 5.5 stops of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) with a new active mode.
• New touch capable menu system, vari-angle monitor and 9.44 million dot OLED Tru Finder
• Dual card slot compatible with high speed Cfexpress Type A/ UHS-II.
• Enhanced connectivity with 5GHZ wifi connection and full sized HDMI port

Sony a7S III in More Detail

Image sensor: 35mm full frame (35.6 x 23.8mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor with 12.1MP

Recording Formats: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.32, MPF Baseline compliant), HEIF (MPEG-A MIAF compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 4.0 format compliant)

Image Size (pixels) [3:2]: 35mm full frame L: 4240 x 2832 (12M), M: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), S: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M)

Picture Profiles: Yes (Off / PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset

Video Recording Formats: XAVC S. XVAVC HS. XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264. XAVC HS: MPEG-H HEVC/H.265

Audio Recording Formats: LPCM 2ch(48kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch(48kHz 24bit)*2 , LPCM 4ch(48kHz 24bit)*2 , MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch*3

Profiles: Yes (Off / PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset

Image frame rates: NTSC mode: 1fps,2fps,4fps,8fps,15fps,30fps,60fps,120fps, 240fps*4

PAL mode: 1fps,2fps,3fps,6fps,12fps,25fps,50fps,100fps, 200fps*4

120p (200Mbps)

100p (200Mbps)

120p (280Mbps)

100p (280Mbps)

60p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps)

50p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps)

60p (200Mbps / 100Mbps)

50p (200Mbps / 100Mbps)

24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps / 30Mbps)

24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps)

Media: SD memory card: SDHC memory card (UHS-I/II compliant). SDXC memory card (UHS-I/II compliant).

CFexpress Type A memory card (see below)

Focus Points: 35mm full frame: 759 points (phase-detection AF), APS-C mode with FF lens: 345 points (phase-detection AF), with APS-C lens: 285 points (phase-detection AF) / 425 points (contrast-detection AF)

Focus Sensitivity Range: EV -6 to EV 20 (ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)

Autofocus features: AF Track Sens. (Stills). AF Subj. Shift Sensitivity (Movie). AF Transition Speed (Movie)

Exposure Bracketing: Bracket: Cont., Bracket: Single, 3/5/9 frames selectable. (Ambient light, Flash light)

ISO sensitivity: Still images: ISO 80-102400 (ISO numbers up from ISO 40 to ISO 409600 can be set as expanded ISO range.),  AUTO (ISO 80-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 80-102400 equivalent (ISO numbers up to ISO 409600 can be set as expanded ISO range.), AUTO (ISO 80-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit)

Viewfinder Type: 1.6 cm (0.64 type) electronic viewfinder (Quad-XGA OLED) with 9,437,184 dots at 100% coverage.

LCD Screen: 7.5cm (3.0-type) type TFT Touch Panel with 1,440,000 dots

Adjustable Angle: Opening Angle:Approx. 176 deg., Rotation Angle:Approx. 270 deg.

Shutter Speed: Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec, Bulb, Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 steps), up to 1/50 in AUTO mode (up to 1/25 in Auto slow shutter mode)

Flash Sync. Speed: 1/250 sec.

Electronic Front Curtain Shutter: Yes (ON/OFF) with silent shooting

Image Stabilisation: 5.5 stops (based on CIPA standard. Pitch/yaw shake only. With Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens mounted. Long exposure NR off.)

Continuous Drive Speed: Continuous shooting: Hi+: 10 fps, Hi: 8 fps, Mid: 6 fps, Lo: 3 fps

No. of recordable frames (approx.): RAW (uncompressed) & JPG: over 1000 frames

Interface: PC Interface, Mass-storage / MTP. Multi / Micro USB Terminal. SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps (USB 3.2) compatible. NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible.

Wireless LAN (Built-In): Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz band/5GHz band

Bluetooth Standard Ver. 5.0 (2.4GHz band)

HD Output: HDMI connector (Type-A)

Battery Life: (Still Images): Approx. 510 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 600 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)

Multi Interface Shoe: Yes (with Digital Audio Interface)

Mic Terminal: Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)

Headphone Terminal: Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)

Battery Life (Movie, continuous recording): Approx. 130 min. (Viewfinder) / Approx. 135 min. (LCD monitor). CIPA standard.

What else is included in the box?

• Rechargeable Battery NP-FZ100
• Battery Charger BC-QZ1
• Power cord
• Cable Protector
• Shoulder strap
• Body cap
• Accessory shoe cap
• Eyepiece cup
• USB-A to USB-C cable (USB 3.2)

Optional Accessories

• Sony Tough Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card 80GB
• Sony Tough Series CFexpress Type A Memory Card 160GB
• Sony Type A and SD Memory Card Reader
• Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss PLANAR T* lens (provides 5.5EV stops IS)
• Sony SDXC Tough Series 64GB 300mb/s
• Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless External Flash
• Sony ECM-CG60 shotgun microphone

Sony a7S III sample images

Lens focal Length 70 mm
35mm equivalent focal length 70 mm
Shutter speed 1/100 sec.
F number F2.8
Exposure correction value +0.0 EV
Exposure program Manual exposure
Metering mode Multi segment
ISO 400
White balance settings Manual

Lens focal Length 85 mm
35mm equivalent focal length 85 mm
Shutter speed 1/125 sec.
F number F2.8
Exposure correction value +0.0 EV
Exposure program Manual exposure
Metering mode Multi segment
ISO 320
White balance settings Manual

Lens focal Length 12 mm
35mm equivalent focal length 12 mm
Shutter speed 1/1000 sec.
F number F2.8
Exposure correction value +0.0 EV
Exposure program Manual exposure
Metering mode Multi segment
ISO 1250
White balance settings Manual

Lens focal Length 85 mm
35mm equivalent focal length 85 mm
Shutter speed 1/125 sec.
F number F9
Exposure correction value +0.0 EV
Exposure program Manual exposure
Metering mode Multi segment
ISO 6400
White balance settings Manual

Lens focal Length 135 mm
35mm equivalent focal length 135 mm
Shutter speed 1/200 sec.
F number F2.8
Exposure correction value +0.0 EV
Exposure program Manual exposure
Metering mode Multi segment
ISO 400
White balance settings Manual

SONY A7S III Specifications