Sony A7S III
12MP, 10 FPS, ISO 409,800 (H2), 4K/119.88
Intro Specifications Accessories
Sony: A9 III A1 II A1 A9 II A7R V A7R IV A7 V A7 IV A7 III A7S III A7CR A7C II A7c FX3 FX2 ZV-E1 A6700 A6600 A6400 ZV-E10 II ZV-E10 ZV-1 II RX1R III RX10/4 RX100/7 Flash Lenses
Sony A7S II (24.7 oz./699 g with battery and SD card, $3,498) and FE 20/1.8 G. bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
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Sony A7S III. bigger.
Sony A7S III. bigger.
Introduction top
Intro Specifications Accessories
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The A7S III is a lower-resolution, higher-sensitivity version of Sony's A7 series of cameras. It's not so much for still photos as it is for video. It has the same resolution and frame rates as an iPhone for still photos (12 MP at 10 FPS), and also only shoots 4K video, albeit with many more format options than an iPhone.
I'd get my A7S III at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New since A7S II intro top
Sony claims it has the world's biggest and brightest 9.44 megadot OLED finder with 0.90× magnification. It has a larger rear element than other Sony cameras so this ought to be a treat.
New NP-FZ100 battery rated 500 shots, up from the A7S II's old NP-FW50 that was only rated 310 shots.
10 FPS, up from 5 FPS.
First Sony camera to be able to store in HEIF format, just like iPhones and the Canon EOS R5 and R6 already do. HEIF stores 10-bit images in the same space as 8-bit JPGs, but not all software can read it (Macs do).
Phase-detection autofocus.
At least a 1,000-frame buffer when shooting uncompressed RAW at 10 FPS with tracking focus and exposure.
Clever new RGB + IR auto white balance sensor improves auto white balance, especially under artificial lighting.
Celebrating that Sony was founded as an audio company in the 1940s and one of the biggest drivers in the development of digital audio back in the 1970s and 1980s, the A7S III can record four simultaneous audio channels at 24 bits, used with the XLR-K3M XLR adapter. This is the first Alpha camera to do this.
Clever new choices of either locking auto white balance in continuous shooting, or letting it keep changing with the light.
ISO 80~102,400, also ISO 40 (L1) to ISO 409,800 (H2) (video only goes as low as ISO 80). Only the low limit (ISO 80 or 40 (L)) changes from the A7S II; the highest 409,600 (H2) setting remains the same. As a consolation prize, Sony claims that new noise reduction lowers noise at the same ISO by about a stop from the A7S II; we'll see.
Sony's first Alpha camera to work with USB PD (Power Delivery) sources (all of the Canon EOS R series always have).
Sony claims a "completely redesigned" menu system, but whether or not it's good, rather than just differently bad, waits to be seen.
2.4 oz. (68 g) heavier than A7S II.
First full-frame Sony with an LCD screen that pivots all the way around from the side for self-portraits. All the others only flip up and down, while this A7S III screen finally flips-out as every full-frame mirrorless Canon always has.
Direct digital audio input contacts in the hot shoe for use with the ECM-B1M digital shotgun mic or XLR-K3M XLR adapter & mic kit. No batteries or cables are required; it all comes from the hot shoe.
4K/119.88p video.
Much less rolling shutter effect.
New "active mode" for handheld video stabilization.
4K/59.94p 16-bit RAW video via HDMI-A.
10 bit 4:2:2 color depth, All-Intra recording, XAVC HS with H.265 codec.
S-Gamut, S-Gamut3, and S-Gamut3.Cine.
S-Log3 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG).
Can record at least an hour at 4K/59.94 10b 4:2:2 before overheating.
5GHz/2.4GHz wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11ac) and has MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) for twice the speed of the A7R IV!
Has two magic card slots that each work with your choice of SD/HC/XC UHS-I/II or CFexpress type A:
Sony A7S III. bigger.
Good intro top
The industry's best electronic finder gets even better.
Ideal format (4:3), Square 1:1 and 16:9 as-shot crops.
Great high-ISO performance.
Fast 10 FPS still shooting.
Innumerable video format options.
Dual cards and takes your choice of SD and/of CFexpress.
NFC
Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth 5.0.
Image Stabilization claims 5.5 stops improvement.
Missing intro top
No built-in flash.
No automatic brightness control for rear LCD.
No ability to save and recall camera settings to and from a card.
No timed manual exposures longer than 30 seconds. You have to use Bulb, a remote release and an external timer instead.
No illuminated buttons.
Not threaded to use a standard threaded cable release.
No GPS, use the app.
Only 1/8,000 maximum shutter speed, even with electronic shutter.
No .MOV or .M4V video, just XAVC S or XAVC HS.
Sony makes - and innovates - everything seen here except the tripod & head. The A7S III is in there somewhere. bigger.
Specifications top
Intro Specifications Accessories
I'd get my A7S III at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sensor specifications top
Sony A7S III. bigger.
12 MP.
23.8 × 35.6 mm CMOS.
8.4 µm pixel pitch.
3:2 aspect ratio.
1.01 × crop factor.
Ultrasonic cleaner.
ISO specifications top
ISO 80 ～ 102,400.
Also ISO 40 (L), ISO 204,800 (H1) and ISO 409,600 (H2).
Movies only go down to ISO 80.
Image Sizes specifications top
4,240 × 2,832 pixels native (12 MP or 12,007,680 pixels).
2,768 × 1,848 (Medium, 5.1 MP).
2,128 × 1,416 (Small, 3 MP).
Cropped Aspect Ratios
Square 1:1, Ideal-Format 4:3 and 16:9 crops from the above.
APS-C crop:
2,768 × 1,848 (Large, 5.1 MP).
2,128 × 1,416 (Medium, 3 MP).
1,376 × 920 (Small, 1.3 MP).
Still Formats specifications top
JPG
Standard, Fine or Extra Fine.
sRGB and Adobe RGB.
HEIF
MPEG-A MIAF
Standard, Fine or Extra Fine, which use Sony's choice of 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 YCrCb subsampling.
sRGB and Adobe RGB.
Raw
14-bit ARW 4.0.
Video specifications top
File Formats
XAVC S (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) or XAVC HS (MPEG-H HEVC/H.265).
Frame Sizes and Rates
XAVC HS 4K (3,840 × 2,160)
(4:2:0, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 119.88p (200 Mbps), 59.94p (150 Mbps / 75 Mbps / 45 Mbps), 23.976p (100 Mbps / 50 Mbps / 30 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:0, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200 Mbps), 50p (150 Mbps / 75 Mbps / 45 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 119.88p (280 Mbps), 59.94p (200 Mbps / 100 Mbps), 23.976p (100 Mbps / 50 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280 Mbps), 50p (200 Mbps / 100 Mbps).
XAVC S 4K (3,840 × 2,160)
3840 × 2160 (4:2:0, 8 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 119.88p (200 Mbps), 59.94p (150 Mbps), 29.97p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 23.976p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:0, 8 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200 Mbps), 50p (150 Mbps), 25p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 119.88p (280 Mbps), 59.94p (200 Mbps), 29.97p (140 Mbps), 23.976p (100 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280 Mbps), 50p (200 Mbps), 25p (140 Mbps).
XAVC S-I 4K (3,840 × 2,160)
3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 59.94p (600 Mbps), 29.97p (300 Mbps), 23.976p (240 Mbps); 3840 × 2160 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (500 Mbps), 25p (250 Mbps).
XAVC S (1,920 × 1,080)
(4:2:0, 8 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 119.88p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 59.94p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps), 29.97p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps), 23.976p (50 Mbps); 1,920 × 1,080 (4:2:0, 8 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (100 Mbps / 60 Mbps), 50p (50 Mbps / 25 Mbps), 25p (50 Mbps / 16 Mbps); 1,920 × 1,080 (4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 59.94p (50 Mbps), 29.97p (50 Mbps), 23.976p (50 Mbps); 1,920 × 1,080 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (50 Mbps), 25p (50 Mbps).
XAVC S-I (1,920 × 1,080)
(4:2:2, 10 bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 59.94p (222 Mbps), 29.97p (111 Mbps), 23.976p (89 Mbps); 1,920 × 1,080 (4:2:2, 10 bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (185 Mbps), 25p (93 Mbps).
Over & Undercrank ("Slow & Quick" Modes)
NTSC mode: 0.999 fps, 1.998 fps, 3.996 fps, 7.992 fps, 14.985 fps, 29.97 fps, 59.94 fps, 119.88 fps, 239.76 fps.
PAL mode: 1 fps, 2 fps, 3 fps, 6 fps, 12 fps, 25 fps, 50 fps, 100 fps, 200 fps.
Audio specifications top
Recorded only along with video.
XAVC S: LPCM 2ch, LPCM 2ch (48 kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch (48 kHz 24bit), LPCM 4ch (48 kHz 24 bit), MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch.
S - t - e - r - e - O microphone built in.
Mic-in jack with plug-in power overrides built-in mic.
Headphone jack.
Autofocus specifications top
759 phase-detection AF points covering 92% of the image sensor.
425 contrast-detection points.
Range rated LV -6 ~ +20 with an f/2 lens.
Light Meter specifications top
1,200 zones.
Range rated LV -3 ~ +20 with an f/2 lens.
Multisegment, center-weighted, spot (variable size), full-frame average, highlight-weighted.
Finder specifications top
16mm/0.64" 9,437,184 dot OLED.
0.90× magnification.
41° diagonal apparent angle.
25mm eyepoint.
Auto brightness control.
-4 ~ +3 diopters.
Shutter specifications top
Mechanical & Silent Electronic Shutters
1/8,000 ～ 30 seconds.
1/250 flash sync speed.
Frame Rates specifications top
To 10 FPS with tracking autofocus & exposure.
Buffer (Burst) Sizes specifications top
Over 1,000 frames, JPG and/or uncompressed raw.
No claim for compressed raw. While the fast cards can soak up frames as fast as they're shot leading to this impressive 1,000 number, the lack of a buffer claim for compressed raw images suggests that the A7S III's onboard computers lack the power to compress the raw files quickly enough.
Flash specifications top
1/250 sync speed.
Built-in Flash
NONE.
External Flash
Dedicated hot shoe.
No Prontor-Compur (PC) terminal.
LCD Monitor specifications top
Sony A7S III. bigger.
2.95" diagonal flipping touch screen.
1,440,000 dots.
Connectors specifications top
Sony A7S III. bigger.
From Top Left:
Full-size HDMI-A.
3.5mm powered Mic-in.
3.5mm headphone out.
USB-C 3.2, 5 Gbps.
Micro USB.
Wi-Fi specifications top
Yes, also for FTP.
NFC specifications top
Yes.
Bluetooth specifications top
Bluetooth version 5.0.
2.4 GHz.
GPS specifications top
None, use the app to tag files.
Storage specifications top
Sony A7S III. bigger.
Dual slots.
Each slot is clever enough to accept either an SD or CFexpress type A card!
SD (up to 2GB), SDHC (up to 32GB) and SDXC (up to 512GB) cards, UHS-I and UHS-II.
Body specifications top
Sony A7S III. bigger.
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Sony A7S III. bigger. |
Sony A7S III. bigger. |
Power & Battery specifications top
Battery
NP-FZ100 battery rated 500 shots (600 with LCD), or 80 minutes of video (95 minutes with LCD):
Sony NP-FZ100 battery. enlarge.
Sony NP-FZ100 battery. enlarge.
It's 7.2V, 2,280 mAh, 16.4 Wh.
Charging
It charges from USB PD (Power Delivery) sources in-camera, or also charges in the included BC-QZ1 Corded Battery Charger.
You can charge two batteries at once; one in the camera via USB and the other in this charger.
Although I prefer a folding plug charger, the included universal corded charger works anywhere with the right cord.
A nice feature is the three-segment battery status indicator. It shows about 2/3 charged here:
Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger with NP-FZ100 battery. bigger.
Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger. bigger.
The BC-QZ1 is rated 100~240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.38A in, and 8.4VDC @ 1.6A out.
Size specifications top
3.18 × 5.07 × 3.18 inches HWD.
96.9 × 128.9 × 80.8 millimeters HWD.
Weight specifications top
24.7 oz. (699 g) with battery and SD card.
Operating Environment specifications top
0º ～ 40º C (32º ～ 104º F).
Sony's Model Number specifications top
ILCE-7SM3.
Included specifications top
A7S III with attached Eyepiece Cup and ALC-B1EM Body Cap.
NP-FZ100 battery.
USB-C Cable.
Cable Protector.
Strap.
Accessory Shoe Cover.
Limited 1-Year Warranty
Announced specifications top
10 AM, Tuesday, 28 July 2020, NYC time.
Promised for specifications top
September 2020.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
July 2020
$3,498 at Adorama or at B&H.
Optional Accessories top
Intro Specifications Accessories
I'd get my A7S III at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Included
NP-FZ100 battery.
BC-QZ1 Battery Charger.
ALC-B1EM Body Cap.
Optional
VG-C4EM Vertical Grip.
Sony A7S III and VG-C4EM Grip. bigger.
The VG-C4EM Vertical Grip takes-over the existing battery bay and holds two batteries for double the shooting life, rated to 1,000 single shots with the finder.
Magnesium alloy exterior.
Dust and moisture resistant.
You can charge the batteries in the grip via the camera's USB connector.
NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adaptor
This is a crazy adapter that holds up to four batteries!
Not only does it hold them all so you can just keep on shooting, it also can charge up to four batteries in 8 hours.
It may seem expensive, but it comes included with two NP-FZ100 batteries to get you started. Along with the one that comes with your A7S III, you're already up to three.
PCK-LG1 Glass Screen Protector
ECM-XYST1M Stereo Mic
An inexpensive stereo mic which attaches to the A9 II's hot shoe for much better audio than the built-in mics.
ECM-B1M digital shotgun mic
This is a tiny little shotgun mic that uses multiple analog omnidirectional microphone elements and then uses digital signal processing (DSP) to synthesize the directional pattern of a much larger traditional shotgun microphone.
Sadly with all its directional DSP it has no stereo option.
XLR-K3M XLR adapter & mic kit.
Each of these includes a professional stereo XLR preamplifier that slides into the A9 II's hot shoe and allows using professional microphones or mixing consoles. It's pretty nifty, with auto and manual gain controls, selectable lo-cut filters, line and mic level inputs and +48V phantom power.
It also includes an ECM-XM1 mono shotgun microphone.
Compared top
Intro Specifications Accessories
I'd get my A7S III at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
See All Sony Cameras Compared.
Recommendations top
Intro Specifications Accessories
I'd get my A7S III at Adorama or at B&H, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
For most people, the A7 III is a better camera with more battery life and twice the resolution for half the price. The A7S III is a camera for people with special needs, specifically, those who need high ISOs higher than anything and are willing to pay dearly for the slight improvement, or those who need any of the new video or other features specific to the A7S III.
This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Sony does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used camera. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
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Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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