Sony Alpha a7S III Mirrorless Digital Camera | Body Only

The Sony a7S III sets a new standard for full-frame mirrorless cameras with its enhanced video capabilities, refined sensitivity, and accelerated speed. Featuring a newly designed 12.1MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and the advanced BIONZ XR image processor, this camera delivers superior performance, enhanced noise reduction, and an expanded dynamic range. It also supports UHD 4K video recording at 120 frames per second and offers internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling.

12.1MP Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ XR Processor

The newly redesigned 12.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor incorporates a back-illuminated Exmor RS architecture, enhancing clarity and minimizing noise while maintaining exceptional sensitivity, ranging from ISO 80 to 102400, with an extended range of ISO 40 to 409600. This updated sensor design offers readout speeds that are twice as fast as those of earlier models. When paired with the enhanced BIONZ XR image processor, it significantly reduces rolling shutter effects by three times and enables processing speeds that are up to eight times faster, improving overall camera performance. This combination of sensor and processor also facilitates a broad dynamic range, achieving approximately 14 stops for still images and 15 stops for video, along with continuous shooting capabilities of 10 frames per second for up to 1000 uncompressed raw files in still photography.

Autofocus and Image Stabilization

Fast Hybrid AF System

The Fast Hybrid AF system, which covers 92% of the image area, features 759 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection areas, enabling rapid and accurate focusing across various lighting conditions, with a sensitivity reaching as low as -6 EV. This advanced focusing mechanism is applicable in all recording modes, enhancing both video and still photography. Furthermore, it can swiftly lock onto subjects and employs Real-time Tracking for AI-assisted tracking of moving subjects, as well as touch tracking for manual subject selection. Real-time Eye AF, effective for both humans and animals, guarantees exceptional sharpness in portrait photography. To optimize the performance of the focusing system, users can adjust the seven-step AF transition speed and five-step AF subject shift sensitivity controls, allowing for precise management of focus shifts and the smoothness of focusing transitions.

5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization

The a7S III features an advanced 5.5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system, designed to counteract five distinct types of camera shake that may occur during handheld photography and videography. This capability enables users to confidently utilize any lens, including adapted ones, for critical imaging tasks without the risk of blur caused by camera movement.

For longer focal lengths, the system effectively addresses pitch and yaw adjustments. In contrast, macro and high-magnification photography will benefit from the added horizontal and vertical shift compensation. All shooting techniques will gain from the roll compensation feature. The stabilization across all five axes operates continuously, even when utilizing third-party lenses and adapters or lenses equipped with built-in optical stabilization.

Moreover, for video applications, there is an Active IS mode that provides even more refined stabilization techniques, resulting in exceptionally smooth footage directly from the camera.

Video Recording

UHD 4K 120p Video, 10-Bit 4:2:2 Internal Recording

UHD 4K recording capabilities allow for frame rates reaching up to 120p, utilizing a complete 1:1 pixel readout without any binning. Additionally, internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling is available across all recording modes. When recording externally through the full-size HDMI A port, a 16-bit raw output can be achieved, providing enhanced tonal reproduction and greater flexibility in post-production. Furthermore, two codecs have been introduced: XAVC HS, which employs HEVC/H.265 encoding to preserve more detail at lower bitrates, and XAVC S-I, an intraframe codec designed for reliable performance and quality at bitrates of up to 600 Mb/s.

Recording Flexibility

The capability of high-speed recording at 120 frames per second facilitates slow-motion movie capture at 4x and 5x, with playback frame rates adjustable to either 30p or 24p. Additionally, when utilizing Full HD resolution, an effective frame rate of 240p is accessible, providing enhanced control over motion. Designed for extended recording sessions, the a7S III imposes no limits on recording duration, allowing for clips of any length. Furthermore, the camera's physical construction incorporates an advanced heat-dissipation system, enabling longer recording times, with approximately 60 minutes achievable at 4K60p.

Advanced Color Control

S-Cinetone is designed to provide unique color reproduction and a vibrant skin tone appearance that aligns with the FX9 and FX6 cameras, drawing on technology from the professional Cinema Line, including the VENICE model. This color profile is characterized by its natural mid-tones, gentle hues, and particularly well-managed highlights. It offers a wide range of customizable color and gamma settings, allowing users to modify gamma, black level, knee, color intensity, and more. Additionally, users can utilize the S-Log2 Gamma Curve, which is also present in high-end Sony Cinema cameras, enabling the capture of up to 1300% more dynamic range in the video signal compared to traditional REC709, thereby enhancing flexibility in post-production.

Tru-Finder EVF and Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD

The QXGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF boasts an outstanding resolution of 9.44 million dots and a magnification of 0.9x, providing exceptionally bright, clear, and detailed visuals at eye level. This viewfinder includes a specialized 120 fps High Quality mode for seamless motion rendering. Additionally, its physical design incorporates a generous 25mm eye point and a 41° field of view, along with a fluorine coating on the outermost element to facilitate easy cleaning.

For the first time in the a7-series cameras, a side-opening 3.0" 1.44m-dot vari-angle articulating screen enhances usability when capturing images from both high and low perspectives, as well as facilitating front-facing use for vlogging or self-recording purposes. This LCD also features touchscreen capabilities, allowing for more intuitive control during shooting and menu navigation. The revamped menu structure is designed to be more user-friendly, accommodating various workflows and settings for both video recording and still photography. Additionally, the menu system is optimized to work seamlessly with the touchscreen functionality of the rear LCD.

Versatile and Durable Design

The camera features two memory card slots that are compatible with both CFexpress Type A and SD-type memory cards. This dual-slot configuration provides versatility in file storage and management, allowing users to designate specific file types for each slot or utilize one for overflow recording. Furthermore, both slots are designed to accommodate UHS-II memory cards, ensuring enhanced transfer speeds.

The magnesium alloy chassis provides exceptional rigidity, durability, and stability while maintaining a lightweight profile. Additionally, the lens mount has been upgraded to offer improved support for heavier lenses, and the grip has been reinforced to enhance comfort during hand-holding. Comprehensive weather-sealing measures, including enhanced seals around the battery cover, terminal cover, and chassis joints, have been implemented to protect against dust and moisture, ensuring reliable performance in challenging weather conditions.

The camera is compatible with the high-capacity NP-FZ100 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which allows for approximately 510 shots or 80 minutes of recording per charge when utilizing the viewfinder, and up to 600 shots or 95 minutes of recording per charge when using the rear LCD.

Ports and Connectivity

• 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.