Sony’s alpha 7S Mark III is the third iteration in the most video-focused of the company’s a7 series of full frame cameras. It’s essentially a native 4K camera with impressive video specs and a revised user interface. It can capture UHD 4K footage at up to 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 encoding and promises 16-bit Raw video output.
- 12MP BSI CMOS sensor
- Bionz XR processor
- On-sensor phase detection
- ISO 80-102,400 (expandable to 40-409,600)
- 9.44M-dot EVF with 0.91x magnification
- 4K video at up to 120p, 60p for ‘at least an hour’
- 16-bit Raw video output at up to 60p
- 10-bit 4:2:2 internal capture (in codecs including H.265 and All-I H.264)
- Fully articulating LCD
- 5-axis in-body stabilization with SteadyShot active mode
- Twin card slots that each accept either SD or CFexpress Type A
The Sony a7S III sell for around $3500. This is a $500 premium over 2015’s Mark II but still $500 lower than the launch price of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H, which we see as its closest competitor.
What’s new and how it compares
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The a7S III offers a series of new features such as 10-bit internal video and Raw video output but the changes go much deeper. |
Body, controls and handling
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Alongside a host of ergonomic improvements, which includes greater use of the touchscreen, Sony has significantly redesigned its menu system. |
Video testing
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The a7S III has a dual gain sensor and produces impressively low rolling shutter times. |
Stills and video studio scene
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We’ve shot our studio test scene in both stills and video modes, to let us examine the camera’s detail capture and presentation. |
Video AF, dynamic range and Raw video
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We found the a7S III’s video AF is very good but not quite as foolproof as in stills. Its DR, while good, doesn’t quite live up to the promise, but is easy to access. And Raw video has promise, but requires some workflow planning. |
Conclusion
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The a7S III lives up to its impressive specs, providing a highly versatile video creation tool. We’re not quite so convinced about it as a stills camera, but it’s a powerful addition to the market. |
Sample gallery
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We’ve prepared a sample gallery of images using a near-final a7S III. |
We’ve added our studio test scene and video stills widget to our Sony a7S III initial review. This lets you compare its resolution capture and its low-light performance.
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