Optimized
video, optimized sensitivity, optimized speed, the Sony Alpha a7S III raises
the bar for what a full-frame mirrorless camera is capable of. A revised 12.1MP
Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and updated BIONZ XR image processor offer faster
performance, improved noise reduction, and a wider dynamic range, along with
UHD 4K 120p video recording and internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling.
Video is the primary
application of the a7S III, and improvements to the sensor and processor enable
faster readout speeds and greatly reduced rolling shutter, along with
high-bitrate internal recording, 16-bit raw output via the full-size HDMI port,
and flexible control over motion with variable frame rate selection. The a7S
III also does away with recording time limits and incorporates HLG for direct
HDR production as well as S-Log2/S-Log3 gamma profiles for advanced HDR
production with editing.
The updated
sensor design also brings improved autofocus performance via 759
phase-detection points, which offer intelligent subject tracking and Real-time
Eye AF to ensure critical focus on moving subjects in all recording modes. The
sensor and BIONZ XR processor also facilitate impressive sensitivity, with an
expanded range from ISO 40-409600, as well as fast 10 fps continuous shooting
for up to 1000 consecutive raw frames. Additionally, 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE
sensor-shift image stabilization is available, too, which minimizes the
appearance of camera shake by up to 5.5 stops.
Complementing
the imaging assets, Sony has also made some changes to the a7S III's physical
design, including a rear LCD with a side-open articulating design and an
impressive 9.44m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. The camera's menu system has
also been updated for more intuitive navigation and the body design helps to
promote better heat dissipation for improved continuous recording capabilities.
Additionally, dual memory card slots both support working with CFexpress Type A
or SD UHS-II memory cards for flexible and high-speed file storage.
12.1MP Exmor
RS BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ XR Image Processor
A redesigned 12.1MP full-frame
CMOS sensor now features a back-illuminated Exmor RS design in order to achieve
improved clarity and reduced noise along with the expectedly impressive
sensitivity, from ISO 80-102400 with an extended ISO 40-409600 range. The
updated sensor design also yields 2x faster readout speeds than previous
generations and, when coupled with the revised BIONZ XR image processor,
greatly reduces rolling shutter by 3x and up to 8x faster processing and
overall camera handling. The sensor and processor combination also helps to
achieve a wide dynamic range, of up to approximately 14 stops for stills and 15
stops for video, and 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 1000 uncompressed raw
files for stills.
UHD 4K 120p
Video, 10-Bit 4:2:2 Internal Recording
Recording up to UHD 4K is possible
with frame rates up to 120p, using full 1:1 pixel readout without binning.
Internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling is also possible in all recording modes and, if
recording externally via the full-size HDMI A port, 16-bit raw output is also
possible for even greater tonal reproduction and post-production flexibility. Additionally,
two codecs have also been developed: XAVC HS, which uses HEVC/H.265 encoding to
retain more detail at smaller bitrates, and XAVC S-I, which is an intraframe
codec for consistent performance and quality at bitrates up to 600 Mb/s.
The high-speed, 120 fps recording also enables 4x and 5x slow-motion movie
recording with the frame rate playback set to either 30p or 24p or, if moving
down to Full HD resolution, an effective 240p frame rate is also available for
even greater motion control. Additionally, suiting long-form recording, the a7S
III does not have any recording time limits to allow for unlimited clip
lengths. The camera's physical design also features an improved
heat-dissipating structure to promote longer possible recording times, up to an
approximate 60-minute recording time at 4K60p.
Affording extensive customizable color and gamma controls, the a7S III allows
users to adjust the gamma, black level, knee, color level, and more. Also,
users can use the same S-Log2 Gamma Curve that is found on high end Sony Cinema
cameras that squeezes up to 1300% more dynamic range into the video signal then
traditional REC709, for increased post-production flexibility. HLG (Hybrid
Log-Gamma) support is also available, along with the BT.2020 color space, for
recording within a wide color gamut and, in addition to S-Log2, S-Log3 is also
available for producing a 15+-stop dynamic range with increased grading control
in the shadow to mid-tone regions of the image.
Fast Hybrid AF
System
Covering 92% of the image area, a
Fast Hybrid AF system incorporates 759 phase-detection points along with 425
contrast-detection areas for quick and precise focusing in a variety of
lighting conditions with sensitivity down to -6 EV. This focusing system is
available for use in all recording modes, to benefit both video and stills
applications. Additionally, it is able to lock onto subjects quickly and can
use Real-time Tracking for AI-based tracking on moving subjects or touch
tracking for manual selection of the subject. Real-time Eye AF, suitable for
both humans and animals, also ensures critical sharpness when shooting
portraits. Helping to fine-tune how the focusing system performs, seven-step AF
transition speed and five-step AF subject shift sensitivity controls let you refine
how quickly focus shifts from point to point and how smoothly focusing shifts
occur.
5-Axis
SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization
The a7S III incorporates an
enhanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization
system, which compensates for five different types of camera shake encountered
during handheld shooting of stills and video. This allows users to confidently
use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical imaging without encountering
blur from camera shake.
For long focal lengths, the system will correct for pitch and yaw adjustments.
Macro and high-magnification imagery, on the other hand, will benefit from the
inclusion of horizontal and vertical shift compensation. All shooting styles
will get usage out of the roll compensation. All 5 axes of stabilization will
function at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or
lenses with built-in optical stabilization.
Additionally, specifically for video, there is also an Active IS mode that adds
even more precise stabilization methods for even smoother footage straight out
of camera.
Body Design
and Connectivity
- An
impressive QXGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF features a high 9.44m-dot resolution
and 0.9x magnification for exceptionally bright, clear, and detailed eye-level
viewing. This viewfinder has a dedicated 120 fps High Quality setting for
smooth motion rendering and the finder's physical design has a long 25mm
eye point, 41° field of view, and features a fluorine coating on the
outermost viewfinder element to benefit cleaning.
- A first
for a7-series cameras, a side-opening 3.0" 1.44m-dot vari-angle
articulating screen benefits working from high and low angles as well as a
front-facing position for vlogging or other self-recording needs. This LCD
is a touchscreen, too, for intuitive shooting control and menu navigation.
- Dual
memory card slots both accept either CFexpress Type A or SD-type memory
cards. The dual slot design allows for flexible file saving and handling
and can be configured to partition file types or can be used for overflow
recording. Additionally, both of the card slots are rated to support
UHS-II memory cards for faster transfer speeds.
- Redesigned
menu structure is more intuitive and complements having different
workflows and settings selections for movie recording and stills shooting.
The menu system also works in conjunction with the touchscreen design of
the rear LCD.
- Magnesium
alloy chassis assures rigidity, durability, and stability while remaining
lightweight. The lens mount has also been improved to better support heavy
lenses, and the grip rigidity has been improved for more comfortable
hand-holding.
- Extensive
weather-sealing, including enhanced sealing around the battery cover,
terminal cover, and chassis joints, has been employed to resist dust and
moisture for reliable operation in harsh weather conditions.
- Accepts
the high-capacity NP-FZ100 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which
provides approximately 510 shots/80 minutes of recording per charge when
using the viewfinder or 600 shots/95 minutes of recording per charge when
using the rear LCD.
- Full-size
HDMI A port offers a more reliable connection when working with external
recorders.
- A USB 3.2
Gen 1 Type-C port has been added, in addition to a micro-USB port, for
faster, more reliable tethering support. The USB Type-C connection allows
the camera to be charged or powered from the host power source while
connected.
- Both
3.5mm headphone and external microphone ports facilitate greater control
over audio recording.
- Multi
Interface Shoe supports working with the optional ECM-B1M Shotgun
Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adapter Kit, which provide improved, clear audio
recording sound by sending a digital audio signal to the camera, opposed
to an analog signal.
- Built-in
Wi-Fi enables the remote camera control and instant sharing of imagery to
mobile devices for direct sharing online, and support for both 2.4 and 5
GHz bands also enables wireless tethered shooting support. This
connectivity also provides remote camera control
- USB
Type-C port can be paired with an optional Ethernet wired LAN adapter to
provide 1000BASE-T connectivity, wired remote shooting, or FTP
transferring.