Sony A7S III system camera

Sony A7S III - The videographer's number one tool

The long-awaited S-series returns with a big bang with the third generation, with virtually everything in the camera redesigned. Physically, the camera now looks very much like a Sony A7r IV camera. A completely new and different external feature from the other Sony models is the omnidirectional screen. Also included are SD/CFExpress hybrid dual card slots, the best viewfinder on the market, a focus borrowed from the Sony A9 II, a high-performance Sony NP-FZ100 battery and other fourth-generation Sony goodies. The price of the Sony A7S III has stayed the same, although there are a lot more features, already approaching professional cameras like the Sony FX9 in terms of features.

A redesigned sensor and codecs produce professional-quality video at unprecedented sensitivities. The novelty is sure to appeal to videographers and low-light/astrophotographers alike.

12 Megapixel backlit Exmor R Cmos sensor

The Sony A7S III continues with a relatively low resolution of 12 megapixels. This is certainly not ideal for photographers, but it's perfect for video shooting. The 12 megapixel sensor allows 4K video to be read from the entire sensor, which improves dynamics, resolution and reduces power loss. The camera can shoot continuously at all shooting modes without overheating. In terms of sensitivity, the A7S has always been king, and model 3 doesn't disappoint. The ISO range is 80 - 102400 (expandable from ISO 40 - 409600). It's well known that any camera manufacturer can put anything they want into these, but with the A7S III it's not just a marketing hype. You can easily see from the Youtube videos below that you can get a clean video quality up to ISO 100,000 ranges. In a nutshell, Sony A7S models have generally been about 1 aperture more sensitive than competitors' higher resolution sensors.

In terms of dynamics, Sony promises 15 steps, which is among the best on the market. State-of-the-art dynamics and ISO 80 sensitivity produce beautiful colours and skin tones.

Video features

The camera is optimised for 4K and FullHD video and does it perfectly. Internally you can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video up to 120 fps, plus with an external HDMI recorder you can also push 16-bit RAW video. At the time of writing, however, such recorders are not yet available. All shooting modes can be used without a recording limit, the camera does not overheat and is not limited to 29:59 recording. This is achieved by the redesigned BIONZ XR™ image processor, which is fast and efficient, as well as the fact that the sensor is read over the entire area and the processor does not have to calculate pixel merging. For a more technical explanation of this process, see the product demonstration videos. As a new feature, the camera offers

As a novelty, the camera offers All-intra recording, this is suitable for situations where there is a lot of movement in the image. In practice, the bitrate gets higher with less compression. Those filets then require quite a pump for a computer. So using this is something everyone should try before going to make a full movie.

Other important video features include H.265 coding (XAVC HS™) codec. S-Gamut, S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine colour space that easily combines colour with Sony's professional video cameras. And of course the old familiar S-Log3 and HLG profiles. Base ISO for S-Log3 profile is now 160, which makes it easier to use with fast lenses and in bright spaces.

Rolling Shutter effect is a common problem, familiar to almost all crosses. A fast sensor readout speed has brought it under extreme control in the new Sony A7S III. This may sound like a small feature, but it's a really important innovation if all the talk is true. Anyone who shoots situations with a lot of movement can identify with this.

Slowmotion video can be recorded FullHD quality at 240 fps. At this speed, all videos are about 8 times slower than traditional and it's great for cinematic scenes.

New search engine

The redesigned EVF, or electronic viewfinder, slams the flush line on the table, knocking out all the competition. Canon's new R5 has a super good viewfinder, but the Sony has even 63% more pixels. That's 9.44 million to be exact. In test videos, the viewfinder has received nothing but praise, it's like looking through a window. The finder is very large physically and can be used just fine even with glasses without any problems. Thanks to the fast processor and low input lag, the viewfinder is also virtually lag-free, which is perfect for videographers who make quick movements with the camera.

Memory cards

Double card slots, obviously. Though now it's another Sony and world first, dual card slots that accept both SD and CFExpress Type A cards. So are these quadruple card slots? Well anyway, the solution is brilliant and welcome. With UHS-II cards, the camera can operate in almost any mode, so new cards may not be needed. However, data-feed modes such as 10fps and 4K 120 FPS will at least benefit from new cards. You can clear the buffer from the camera much faster, and of course also decompress images/videos to the computer.

Image stabilizer

Sony's renewed In Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) now stabilises up to 5.5 stops in active mode. Active mode does add a tiny (1.1x) bump, but the image stabilisation is much more effective for those used to Sony and is ideal for v-log and other mobile use.

Main features

• Professional video / lowlight camera without recording limit
• 12 megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R Cmos sensor for ultra-fast reading speeds
• ISO sensitivity of a whopping 80 - 102400 (expandable from ISO 40 - 109600)
• S-Log3 Base ISO now 160
• All-Intra and H.265 coding (XAVC HS™) codecs - up to 600 mbs bitrate
• 240 FPS Full / HD4K 120fps 10 bit 4:2:2 and same RAW video over HDMI
• High-performance 759-point hybrid autofocus
• 5-axis image stabilizer with new active mode - stabilizes 5.5 stops
• No rolling shutter (hardly any) - !!!
• Revamped menus that now work with touch

Technical specifications

• Mounting Sony E
• Full-cell CMOS sensor
• 12.1 Megapixels
• Maximum resolution 4240 x 2832
• Aspect ratios 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9
• Image formats JPEG, Raw, HEIF
• Bit Depth 14-bit / 16-bit
• 5-axis image stabilizer
• ISO Sensitivity Auto 80 - 102400 (expandable from 40 to 409600)
• Shutter speed 1/8000 - 30 seconds / bulb
• Exposure compensation -5 to +5 EV (with 1/3 EV Steps)
• Continuous shooting 10 fps - 12.1 MP 1000 images (Raw) / 1000 images (JPEG)
• Video recording H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:2 10-Bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [50 to 280 Mb/s]
• H.265/XAVC HS 4:2:0 10-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [30 to 200 Mb/s]
• H.264/XAVC S-I 4:2:2 10-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [240 to 600 Mb/s]
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [89 to 222 Mb/s]
• H.264/XAVC S 4:2:2 10-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [100 to 280 Mb/s]
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [50 Mb/s]
• H.264/XAVC S 4:2:0 8-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [60 to 200 Mb/s]
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [16 to 100 Mb/s]
• External recording Raw 16-Bit
  • 4.2K (4264 x 2408) up to 59.94p
  • 4:2:2 10-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/50p/59.94p
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i
• 4:2:0 8-bit
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/50p/59.94p
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i
• No time limit for recording
• Video Encoding NTSC/PAL
• Built-in stereo microphone
• Connector for external microphone
• Audio File Format AAC LC, AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)
• Live Streaming - Yes
• Webcam Functionality - Yes
• Auto focus 759 Phase points / 425 contrast points
• Autofocus sensitivity -6 to +20 EV
• 0.64″ electronic OLED viewfinder
• Detector resolution 9 437 184 points
• Description 100%
• Detector magnification 0.9x
• Diopter adjustment -4 +3
• 1.4 million pixel 3″ articulating LCD
• Hybrid dual memory card slots CFexpress Type A / SD
• Connectivity HDMI A (full-size), USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0), 3.5mm microphone jack, 3.5mm headphones
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Operating temperature 0 - 40°C
• NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh (approx. 600 photos)
• Size 128.9 x 96.9 x 69.7 mm
• Weight 614 g