Sony Alpha A7S III

Description

For visual trailblazers

With extreme full-frame movie performance including high sensitivity (expanded ISO up to 409600), 15-stop wide dynamic range, 4K 120p2, fast and dependable autofocusing, and extra-strong image stabilisation, the α7S III again raises the bar for movie makers.

Large pixels deliver high sensitivity and low noise
The new full-frame 12.1-megapixel3 back-illuminated　Exmor RTM CMOS image sensor packs major innovations in light gathering, wiring and output optimisation. These deliver blazing doubled readout speeds, superb image quality throughout the whole sensitivity range, 15-stop4 wide dynamic range, and reduced rolling shutter, with the sensor also providing focal-plane phase-detection AF.

Large pixels deliver high sensitivity and low noise
The new full-frame 12.1-megapixel3 back-illuminated　Exmor RTM CMOS image sensor packs major innovations in light gathering, wiring and output optimisation. These deliver blazing doubled readout speeds, superb image quality throughout the whole sensitivity range, 15-stop4 wide dynamic range, and reduced rolling shutter, with the sensor also providing focal-plane phase-detection AF.

Stunning AF performance even at 4K 120p
The new Exmor R full-frame image sensor and revolutionary BIONZ XR image processing engine deliver always-active pinpoint AF for astonishing detail in both space and time, and stunning 4K movies even at 120 frames per second2 or in slow motion. With the resolution and depth of field only possible from a full-frame sensor, the results are spectacular.

S-CinetoneTM from high-end cinema camera colour science
The inclusion of Sony’s acclaimed S-Cinetone7look, inherited from the development of the Cinema Line FX9 and CineAlta cameras such as VENICE, allows cinematic colour to be achieved directly in-camera. S-Cinetone is optimised for natural skin tones and mid-range colours, with gentle highlight roll-off, for impressive subject depiction without grading at post production as a workflow.

Fast Hybrid AF for accuracy and tenacity
The wide-area AF uses intelligent tracking and on-sensor phase-detection covering most of the frame. The result is that every bit of supremely accurate and tenacious AF performance is extracted in combination with high-quality E-mount lenses, even when shooting moving subjects at shallow depths-of-field in 4K and at 120p frame rates2.

Powerful focus control for solo shooters
With AF Transition Speed selectable over 7 levels, and AF Subject Shift Sensitivity over 5 levels, you can better convey your creative intentions when switching subjects or, for example, rack focusing. A simple touch can temporarily activate AF even during manual focus operation.

In-body 5-axis image stabilisation
A highly accurate image stabilisation unit and gyro-sensor are provided, delivering 5-axis optical image stabilisation.
[1] Yaw [2] Roll [3] Pitch

Active Mode for hand-held shooting
The new Active Mode12 13 provides increased stabilisation for movie shooting. To preserve image quality, the BIONZ XR processor accurately measures camera shake and compensates optically. This makes stable video possible even when shooting hand-held where space restraints prevent gimbal use, while walking, and at 4K resolution13.

High ISO sensitivity
With an amazingly wide standard ISO range of 80-102400 (expandable to 40-409600 for stills), the α7S III offers incredible creative opportunities. The newly-developed image sensor and image processing algorithms produce even cleaner images and more natural textures than the previous α7S II model, even when shooting in near total darkness.

Specifications

Lens

LENS MOUNT
E-mount

Image Sensor

ASPECT RATIO
3:2

NUMBER OF PIXELS (EFFECTIVE)
Approx. 12.1 megapixels

NUMBER OF PIXELS (TOTAL)
Approx. 12.9 megapixels

SENSOR TYPE
35mm full frame (35.6×23.8mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor

ANTI-DUST SYSTEM
Yes (Charge protection coating on Optical Filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism)

Recording (still images)

RECORDING FORMAT
JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif ,Ver. 2.32, MPF Baseline compliant), HEIF (MPEG-A MIAF compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 4.0 format compliant)

IMAGE SIZE (PIXELS) [3:2]
35mm full frame L: 4240 x 2832 (12M), M: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), S: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M), APS-C L: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), M: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M), S: 1376 x 920 (1.3M)

IMAGE SIZE (PIXELS) [4:3]
35mm full frame L: 3776 x 2832 (11M), M: 2464 x 1848 (4.6M), S: 1888 x 1416 (2.7M), APS-C L: 2464 x 1848 (4.6M), M: 1888 x 1416 (2.7M), S: 1232 x 920 (1.1M)

IMAGE SIZE (PIXELS) [16:9]
35mm full frame L: 4240 x 2384 (10M), M: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), S: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), APS-C L: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), M: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), S: 1376 x 776 (1.1M)

IMAGE SIZE (PIXELS) [1:1]
35mm full frame L: 2832 x 2832 (8M), M: 1840 x 1840 (3.4M), S: 1408 x 1408 (2.0M),APS-C L: 1840 x 1840 (3.4M), M: 1408 x 1408 (2.0M), S: 912 x 912 (0.8M)

IMAGE QUALITY MODES
RAW (Compressed / Uncompressed), JPEG (Extra fine / Fine / Standard), HEIF(4:2:0 / 4:2:2) (Extra fine / Fine / Standard), RAW & JPEG, RAW & HEIF

PICTURE EFFECT
–

CREATIVE STYLE
–
PICTURE PROFILE
Yes (Off / PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset

CREATIVE LOOK
ST, PT, NT, VV, VV2, FL, IN, SH, BW, SE, Custom Look (1-6)

DYNAMIC RANGE FUNCTIONS
Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level (1-5))

COLOUR SPACE
sRGB standard (with sYCC gamut), Adobe RGB standard and Rec. ITU-R BT.2100 standard (BT.2020 gamut).2 (compatible with TRILUMINOS Color)

14BIT RAW
Yes

Recording (movie)

RECORDING FORMAT
XAVC S, XAVC HS

VIDEO COMPRESSION
XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC HS: MPEG-H HEVC/H.265

AUDIO RECORDING FORMAT
XAVC S:LPCM 2ch,LPCM 2ch(48kHz 16bit), LPCM 2ch(48kHz 24bit)3, LPCM 4ch(48kHz 24bit)3, MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch4

COLOUR SPACE
Rec. ITU-R BT.2100 standard compatible (BT.2020 gamut).5 (compatible with TRILUMINOS Color)

PICTURE EFFECT
–

CREATIVE STYLE
–

PICTURE PROFILE
Yes (Off / PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode, Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset

CREATIVE LOOK
ST, PT, NT, VV, VV2, FL, IN, SH, BW, SE, Custom Look (1-6)

MOVIE RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC HS 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (200Mbps), 60p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps / 30Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200Mbps), 50p (150Mbps / 75Mbps / 45Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (280Mbps), 60p (200Mbps / 100Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 50Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280Mbps), 50p (200Mbps / 100Mbps)* details of frame rate 6

MOVIE RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (200Mbps), 60p (150Mbps), 30p (100Mbps / 60Mbps), 24p (100Mbps / 60Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:0, 8bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (200Mbps), 50p (150Mbps), 25p (100Mbps / 60Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (280Mbps), 60p (200Mbps), 30p (140Mbps), 24p (100Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p (280Mbps), 50p (200Mbps), 25p (140Mbps)* details of frame rate 6

MOVIE RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S HD)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 120p (100Mbps / 60Mbps), 60p (50Mbps / 25Mbps), 30p (50Mbps / 16Mbps), 24p (50Mbps); 1920 x 1080 (4:2:0, 8bit, PAL) (Approx.): 100p　(100Mbps / 60Mbps), 50p (50Mbps / 25Mbps), 25p (50Mbps / 16Mbps); 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 60p (50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps); 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (50Mbps), 25p (50Mbps)* details of frame rate 6

MOVIE RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S-I 4K)
3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 60p (600Mbps), 30p (300Mbps), 24p (240Mbps); 3840 x 2160 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (500Mbps), 25p (250Mbps)* details of frame rate 6

MOVIE RECORDING SYSTEM (XAVC S-I HD)
1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit, NTSC) (Approx.): 60p (222Mbps), 30p (111Mbps), 24p (89Mbps); 1920 x 1080 (4:2:2, 10bit, PAL) (Approx.): 50p (185Mbps), 25p (93Mbps)* details of frame rate 6

SLOW & QUICK MOTION (SHOOTING FRAME RATE)
NTSC mode: 1fps,2fps,4fps,8fps,15fps,30fps,60fps,120fps, 240fps7,PAL mode: 1fps,2fps,3fps,6fps,12fps,25fps,50fps,100fps, 200fps7* details of frame rate 6

MOVIE FUNCTIONS
Audio Level Display, Audio Rec Level, PAL/NTSC Selector, Proxy Recording (1280 x 720 (6Mbps), 1920 x 1080(9Mbps), 1920 x 1080(16Mbps)), TC/UB, Auto Slow Shutter, Gamma Disp. Assist, RAW Output(HDMI)

Recording System

LOCATION INFORMATION LINK FROM SMARTPHONE
Yes

MEDIA
SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I/II compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I/II compliant), CFexpress Type A memory card

MEMORY CARD SLOT
SLOT1: Multi slot for SD (UHS-I/II compliant) memory card/CFexpress Type A card, SLOT2: Multi slot for SD (UHS-I/II compliant) memory card/CFexpress Type A card

RECORDING MODE ON 2 MEMORY CARDS
Simult. Rec, Sort, Auto Switch Media, Copy

Noise Reduction

NOISE REDUCTION
Long exposure NR: On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec.,High ISO NR: Normal / Low / Off

White balance

WHITE BALANCE MODES
Auto / Daylight / Shade / Cloudy / Incandescent / Fluorescent / Flash / Underwater / Color Temperature (2500 to 9900K) & color filter / Custom

SHUTTER AWB LOCK
Yes (Shut. Halfway Down / Cont. Shooting / Off)

Focus

FOCUS TYPE
Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF)

FOCUS SENSOR
Exmor R CMOS sensor

FOCUS POINT
35mm full frame: 759 points (phase-detection AF), APS-C mode with FF lens: 345 points (phase-detection AF), with APS-C lens: 285 points (phase-detection AF) / 425 points (contrast-detection AF)

FOCUS SENSITIVITY RANGE
EV-6 to EV20 (ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)

FOCUS MODE
AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus

FOCUS AREA
Wide / Zone / Center Fix / Spot / Expand Spot / Tracking

EYE AF
[Still images] Human (Right/Left Eye Select) / Animal, [Movie] Human (Right/Left Eye Select)

OTHER FEATURES
Predictive control, Focus lock, AF Track Sens. (Still), AF Subj. Shift Sensitivity (Movie), AF Transition Speed (Movie), Switch V/H AF Area, AF Area Regist., Circ. of Focus Point

AF ILLUMINATOR
Yes (with Built-in LED type)

AF ILLUMINATOR RANGE
Approx. 0.3m – approx. 3.0m (with FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens attached)

FOCUS TYPE WITH LA-EA3 (SOLD SEPARATELY)
Phase-detection

Exposure

METERING TYPE
1200-zone evaluative metering

METERING SENSOR
Exmor R CMOS sensor

METERING SENSITIVITY
EV-3 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)

METERING MODE
Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
+/- 5.0EV (1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps selectable) (with exposure compensation dial: +/- 3EV (1/3 EV steps))

EXPOSURE BRACKETING
Bracket: Cont., Bracket: Single, 3/5/9 frames selectable. (Ambient light, Flash light)

AE LOCK
Locked when shutter button is pressed halfway. Available with AE lock button. (On/Off/Auto)

EXPOSURE MODES
AUTO(iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) / Flexible Exp. Mode), Slow & Quick Motion (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) / Flexible Exp. Mode)

ISO SENSITIVITY (RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE INDEX)
Still images: ISO 80-102400 (ISO numbers up from ISO 40 to ISO 409600 can be set as expanded ISO range.), Movies: ISO 80-102400 equivalent (ISO numbers up to ISO 409600 can be set as expanded ISO range.)

ANTI-FLICKER SHOOT.
Yes8

SCENE SELECTION
–

Viewfinder

VIEWFINDER TYPE
1.6 cm (0.64 type) electronic viewfinder (color)

NUMBER OF DOTS
9 437 184 dots

FIELD COVERAGE
100%

MAGNIFICATION
Approx. 0.90 x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1)

DIOPTRE ADJUSTMENT
–4.0 to +3.0m-1

EYE POINT
Approx. 25mm from the eyepiece lens, 21mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1 (CIPA standard)

DISPLAY FUNCTION
Histogram, Real-time image-adjustment display, Digital level gauge, Grid line, Focus check, Peaking MF, Zebra, Movie marker, Emph disp dur REC

FINDER FRAME RATE SELECTION
NTSC mode: STD 60fps / HI 120fps, PAL mode: STD 50fps / HI 100fps

LCD Screen

MONITOR TYPE
7.5cm (3.0-type) type TFT

NUMBER OF DOTS
1,440,000 dots

TOUCH PANEL
Yes

BRIGHTNESS CONTROL
Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2), Sunny Weather mode

ADJUSTABLE ANGLE
Opening Angle:Approx. 176 deg., Rotation Angle:Approx. 270 deg.

FOCUS MAGNIFIER
Yes, Focus Magnifier (35mm full frame: 2.1x / 4.1x, APS-C: 1.5x / 3.0x)

Other Features

PLAYMEMORIES CAMERA APPS™
–

CLEAR IMAGE ZOOM
Still images:Approx. 2x,Movies:Approx. 1.5x (4K), Approx. 2x (HD)

DIGITAL ZOOM
Smart zoom (Still images):35mm full frame: M:Approx. 1.5x, S:Approx. 2x, APS-C: M:Approx. 1.3x, S:Approx. 2x, Digital zoom (Still images):35mm full frame: L:Approx. 4x, M:Approx.6.1x, S:Approx. 8x, APS-C: L:Approx. 4x, M:Approx. 5.2x, S:Approx. 8x,Digital zoom (Movie):35mm full frame: Approx. 4x, APS-C: Approx. 4x

FACE DETECTION
Face Priority in AF, Face Priority in Multi Metering, Regist. Faces Priority

SELF-PORTRAIT SELF-TIMER
–

OTHERS
Interval Recording, ISO AUTO Min. SS, Bright Monitoring, Copyright Info, Set File Name, Save/Import Settings, Help guide, Video Light Mode, Zoom Ring Rotate

Shutter

TYPE
Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type

SHUTTER TYPE
Mechanical shutter/Electronic shutter

SHUTTER SPEED
Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec, Bulb, Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 steps), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto slow shutter mode)

FLASH SYNC. SPEED
1/250 sec.9

ELECTRONIC FRONT CURTAIN SHUTTER
Yes (ON/OFF)

SILENT SHOOTING
Yes (ON/OFF)

Image Stabilization

TYPE
Image Sensor-Shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation (Compensation depends on lens specifications)

COMPENSATION EFFECT
5.5 stops (based on CIPA standard. Pitch/yaw shake only. With Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens mounted. Long exposure NR off.)

Flash Control

TYPE
–

GUIDE NO.
–

FLASH COVERAGE
–

CONTROL
Pre-flash TTL10

FLASH COMPENSATION
+/- 3.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps)

FLASH MODES
Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable), Wireless11, Hi-speed sync.11

RECYCLING TIME
–

EXTERNAL FLASH COMPATIBILITY
Sony α System Flash compatible with Multi Interface Shoe, attach the shoe adaptor for flash compatible with Auto-lock accessory shoe

FE LEVEL LOCK
Yes

WIRELESS CONTROL
Yes (Light signal: Available with Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Hi-speed sync. / Radio signal: Available with Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Hi-speed sync.)

Drive

DRIVE MODES
Single Shooting, Continuous shooting (Hi+/Hi/Mid/Lo selectable), Self-timer, Self-timer (Cont.), Bracket: Single, Bracket: Cont., White Balance bracket, DRO bracket

CONTINUOUS DRIVE SPEED (APPROX. MAX.)
Continuous shooting: Hi+: 10 fps, Hi: 8 fps, Mid: 6 fps, Lo: 3 fps12

NO. OF RECORDABLE FRAMES (APPROX.)
JPEG Extra fine L: over 1000 frames, JPEG Fine L: over 1000 frames, JPEG Standard L: over 1000 frames, RAW: over 1000 frames, RAW & JPG: over 1000 frames, RAW (Uncompressed): over 1000 frames, RAW (Uncompressed) & JPG: over 1000 frames12

SELF-TIMER
10 sec. delay / 5 sec. delay / 2 sec. delay / Continuous self-time / Bracketing self-timer

PIXEL SHIFT MULTI SHOOTING
–

Playback

PHOTO CAPTURE
Yes

MODES
Single (with or without shooting information Y RGB histogram & highlight / shadow warning),Index view,Enlarged display mode (L: 10.6x, M: 6.92x, S: 5.32x),Auto Review,Image orientation,Folder selection (Date / Still / Movie),Protect,Rating,Display as Group
Interface

PC INTERFACE
Mass-storage / MTP

MULTI / MICRO USB TERMINAL
Yes, Type-C® Terminal (SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps(USB 3.2) compatible)

BLUETOOTH
Yes (Bluetooth Standard Ver. 5.0 (2.4GHz band))

MULTI INTERFACE SHOE
Yes (with Digital Audio Interface)13

MIC TERMINAL
Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)

SYNC TERMINAL
–

HEADPHONE TERMINAL
Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)

VERTICAL GRIP CONNECTOR
Yes

LAN TERMINAL
–

FUNCTIONS
FTP Transfer Func.,View on Smartphone,Remote control via Smartphone,NFC One-touch remote,PC Remote,BRAVIA Sync (Control for HDMI),PhotoTV HD

Audio

MICROPHONE
Built-in, stereo

SPEAKER
Built-in, monaural

Print

COMPATIBLE STANDARDS
Exif Print, Print Image Matching III

Custom function

TYPE
Custom key settings,Programmable Setting (Body 3 sets /memory card 4 sets),My Dial Settings,My Menu,Reg Cust Shoot Set

Lens Compensation

SETTING
Peripheral Shading, Chromatic Aberration, Distortion

Power

SUPPLIED BATTERY
One rechargeable battery pack NP-FZ100

BATTERY LIFE (STILL IMAGES)
Approx. 510 shots (Viewfinder) / Approx. 600 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)14

BATTERY LIFE (MOVIE, ACTUAL RECORDING)
Approx. 80 min (Viewfinder) / Approx. 95 min (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)15

BATTERY LIFE (MOVIE, CONTINUOUS RECORDING)
Approx. 130 min (Viewfinder) / Approx. 135 min (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)

INTERNAL BATTERY CHARGE
Yes (Available with USB Type-C Terminal. USB Power Delivery compatible)

POWER CONSUMPTION WITH VIEWFINDER
Still images: Approx. 4.3W (with FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens attached), Movies: Approx. 7.6W (with FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens attached)

POWER CONSUMPTION WITH LCD SCREEN
Still images: Approx. 3.3W (with FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens attached), Movies: Approx. 7.3W (with FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens attached)

USB POWER SUPPLY
Yes (Available with USB Type-C Terminal. USB Power Delivery compatible)

Others

OPERATING TEMPERATURE
32 – 104 degrees F / 0 – 40 degrees C

Size & Weight

WEIGHT (WITH BATTERY AND MEMORY CARD INCLUDED)
Approx. 699 g, approx. 1 lb 8.7 oz

DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)
Approx. 128.9mm x 96.9mm x 80.8mm, Approx. 128.9mm x 96.9mm x 69.7mm (FROM GRIP TO MONITOR), Approx. 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches, Approx. 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 x 2 3/4 inches (FROM GRIP TO MONITOR)