Sony α7S III

Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera

Sony α7S III
Overview

Maker	Sony
Type	Full Frame MILC
Released	October 23, 2020; 3 years ago (2020-10-23)
Intro price	MSRP: USD 3,495 (body) Street/Grey: USD 4,229 (2021)
Lens
Lens mount	Sony E-mount
Lens	Interchangeable lens
Sensor/medium
Sensor	Full Frame
Sensor type	Exmor R CMOS Sensor
Sensor size	35.6mm x 23.8mm Full Frame
Sensor maker	Sony
Maximum resolution	12 megapixels 4240 × 2832
Film speed	ISO 80–102400, ISO 40-409600 Dual Gain Modes: S-Log 2 / S-Log 3: Low Base ISO 640 / High Base ISO 12,800 HLG: Low Base ISO 100 / High Base ISO 2000 Cine 2: Low Base ISO 50 / High Base ISO 1000
Storage media	Dual Slot SD, SDHC, SDXC, CFexpress A UHS-II, UHS-I, CFexpress
Flash
Flash	External flash
Flash synchronization	1/250 s
Compatible flashes	Shoe Mount flash
Shutter
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Shutter speeds	1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb
Continuous shooting	10 fps 12.2MP (photo) 60 fps 10.27MP 4.2k (video)
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	EVF with eye sensor
Electronic viewfinder	0.64" 9.4M dots (2048 x 1536 pixels) (QXGA) OLED Viewfinder
Viewfinder magnification	1.09
Frame coverage	100%
Image processing
Image processor	BIONZ XR
General
Video recording	XAVC S, XAVC HS 4K up to 120 fps, 1080p up to 120 fps, Raw 4.2k 16bit
LCD screen	3.0" 1.44M dots (800 x 600 pixels) (SVGA) touchscreen variable-angle monitor
Battery	NP-FZ100 Li-ion
AV Port(s)	HDMI A, ⌀3.5 mm audio jack
Data Port(s)	USB-C 3.2, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
Body features	Active Mode optical image stabilization, Image Sensor-Shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation, Anti-Dust System
Dimensions	128.9 mm × 96.9 mm × 80.9 mm (5.07 in × 3.81 in × 3.19 in)
Weight	699 g (1.541 lb) including battery and memory card
Made in	Thailand

The Sony α7S III (model ILCE-7SM3) is a 12.2-megapixel full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera made by Sony.^[1] It was publicly announced on July 28, 2020 (2020-07-28) online with a suggested retail price of US$3,495 (body only) at the time.^[2] The α7S III is offered as a body only.

Features

New 12MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor
9.44 million-dot viewfinder (2048 x 1536 pixels) (3.15MP) (QXGA)
Can record FHD@240fps, 4K@120fps 10bit 4:2:2 and 4K@120fps Raw over HDMI (up to 16-bit 4.2K (4264 x 2408) 60fps)
Dual Gain (ISO) modes for cleaner low-light recording
5-axis in body image stabilization
LCD touchscreen (3 inch/7.5 cm) fully articulated
Multi Interface Shoe (alongside k3m xlr adapter and new microphones using direct digital signal)
4th Revision body with improved cooling, weather sealing and better overall handling (one-layer disassembly for replacement of audio ports)
Dual function memory card slots, for both SDXC UHS-II & high speed CFexpress type A

Image features

The α7S III features a 35mm (35.6 x 23.8 mm) full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor capable of capturing approximately 12.2 effective megapixels.^[3]

Autofocus and metering

The camera's 759-point autofocus sensor uses mainly phase-detection but also 425 points contrast-detection AF to capture and record alongside subject tracking with high accuracy^[4]

ISO

For still images, the α7S III's ISO is 100–102400 with expansion down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 409600 equivalent. For movies, the α7S III's ISO is 100-102400 equivalent with expansion down to ISO 100 and up to ISO 409600 equivalent. For still images or movies on auto setting, the camera's ISO is 100–12800 with selectable lower and upper limits.^[5] The cameras native ISO is 12800 for photos and non s-log video

Shutter

The α7S III's shutter speed range is 30 s to 1/8,000 s for still images. For bulb movies, the shutter speed range is 1/4 s (1/3 s step) to 1/8,000 s.^[6]

The camera has an approximate maximum continuous shooting speed of 10.0 frames per second in Speedy Priority Continuous shooting drive and Continuous shooting drive mode.^[7]

Ergonomics and functions

The α7S III has a TFT LCD screen with a size of 7.5 cm (3 inches) and resolution of 1,440,000 dots (800 x 600 pixels) (SVGA) with an adjustable tilt angle of 107 degrees up and 41 degrees down (approximate). The OLED electronic viewfinder has a resolution of 9,437,184 dots (2048 x 1536 pixels) (3.15MP) (QXGA) and a .90x magnification.^[8]

The camera additionally has built-in Wi-Fi with NFC compatibility.^[9]

Video

The camera can record 4K UHD (QFHD: 3840 x 2160) internally in full frame format at 120 FPS. The camera allows for movie image size to be set, as well as the frame rate per second, and compression method.^[10] The camera can shoot in HLG and S-log internally.

Accessories

The α7S III camera body comes with the following:^[11]

Battery Pack NP-FZ100 (rechargeable)
Battery Charger BC-QZ1

References

^ "Highly Anticipated Sony Alpha 7S III Combines Supreme Imaging Performance with Classic "S" Series Sensitivity". Press Centre - Sony. Sony Europe. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
^ Universe, Alpha. "Sony Announces The New Ultra-sensitive α7S III!". Sony. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
^ "Sony α7S III E-mount Camera with Full-Frame Sensor". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^ "Sony Alpha A7S II Specs". Sony. Retrieved 10 August 2020.