Overview
Five years in the making. the Alpha 7S III redefines the “S” series line up. Working closely with professional cinematographers and videographers across the world. the Alpha 7S III aims to meet the uncompromising demands for working professionals with incomparable reliability. paired with an entirely new way of capturing movies and stills.
Key Features
Large pixels deliver high sensitivity and low noise
The new full-frame 12.1-megapixel[2] 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-stop[3] wide dynamic range. and reduced rolling shutter. with the sensor also providing focal-plane phase-detection AF.
Up to 8x more powerful[4] BIONZ XRTM image processor
Along with the new sensor and its unprecedented speed. the BIONZ XR image processing engine has also been newly developed and packs up to 8x more processing power[4]. With a future-oriented architecture. it delivers high quality images faster for superlative still and video expression. as well as dramatically improved camera interface responsiveness.
Stunning AF performance even at 4K 120p[1]
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 second[1] or in slow motion. With the resolution and depth of field only possible from a full-frame sensor. the results are spectacular.
10-bit 4:2:2 recording
Record right on the camera with the amazing richness of 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 colour sampling. for far greater flexibility in image grading. post-processing and compositing.
All-Intra encoding available
As well as Long GOP. All-Intra encoding is now provided. This encodes every frame independently at bitrates up to 600Mbps. to capture complex motions more accurately for recording on either internal or external media and allow more efficient editing workflows.
Superior quality and smaller files with XAVC HS
The new XAVC HS recording format uses HEVC/H.265 encoding to achieve twice the compression efficiency of AVC/H.264 encoding. for superior image quality and smaller file sizes[5].
Our renowned sensitivity delivers expanded ISO 409600
The renowned sensitivity of the series scales new heights. with an expanded ISO range for movies from 80 to a remarkable 409600 (standard range 80 - 102400). With advanced light-gathering and output optimisation. the 12.1-megapixel[2] full-frame sensor achieves low noise throughout the sensitivity range and can capture usable images in near total darkness.
S-Log3 gamma. S-Gamut3.Cine gamut as on pro camcorders
The S-Log3 gamma curve and S-Gamut3.Cine colour gamut. shared with pro camcorders. provide wider dynamic range and easier colour matching for smoother post-production workflows.
Image quality improvements
The new BIONZ XR image processing engine delivers improvements in colour reproduction. stability against different light sources. natural tonal gradation and roll-off. and reduced rolling shutter.
16-bit RAW HDMI output
For demanding post-production workflows. 16-bit RAW output[6] is available via HDMI connection to compatible external recorders[7] while XAVC HS 4K. XAVC S 4K. or XAVC S-I 4K. and proxy files are simultaneously captured in-camera.
Efficient editing through proxy recording
While recording high-bitrate 4K movies. HD proxies (in 8 or 10-bit depth) can be generated in-camera[8]. Editing the smaller proxy files reduces computer load and speeds up workflow prior to final 4K delivery.
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 rates[1].
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.
Real-time Eye AF for movies
Real-time Eye AF uses AI to ensure pinpoint focusing precision for eyes. with performance now improved by 30%[9] on profile or partially-obscured faces. Tenacious eye tracking lets you concentrate on composition even with a shallow focus depth.
Real-time Tracking with intuitive touch operation
Real-time Tracking analyses subject colour. pattern. depth. and face information to track the subject. Touch Tracking intuitively and automatically tracks a subject touched on the LCD screen.
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 Mode[10] [11] 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 resolution[11].
Digital audio interface for clear sound recording
A digital audio interface added to the Multi Interface (MI) Shoe allows direct 24-bit input. Available settings are 48kHz/16-bit 2-ch. and by using the optional XLR-K3M adaptor kit. 48kHz/24-bit 2-ch and 48kHz/24-bit 4-ch.
Unique heat dissipation. for dependable recording
A unique Sony S (sigma) shaped graphite heatsink is built into the image stabilisation unit. This dissipates heat 5x more effectively[12] for extended recording time. without interfering with image stabilisation.
Movie-shooting comfort
Responding to feedback from professional users. the MOVIE button has been moved to the top face for improved operability in any shooting position. Mode dial ordering and speed of switching have also been improved.
High ISO sensitivity
With an amazingly wide standard ISO range of 80-102400 (expandable to 40-409600 for stills). the a7S 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 a7S II model. even when shooting in near total darkness.
Fast Hybrid AF for stills
The Fast Hybrid AF system combines speed and precision. With 759 focal plane phase-detection sensors and 425 contrast-detection points distributed across most of the image area. the a7S III quickly finds and tracks your subject throughout the frame.
Outstanding continuous shooting performance
Use your choice of mechanical or electronic shutter for continuous burst shooting. with AF/AE tracking. at up to 10fps[13]. Capture decisive moments with over 1000 frames of continuous uncompressed RAW shooting possible[14].
Highly-sensitive AF for low-light focusing
AF algorithm advances have allowed the a7S III to achieve autofocus in lighting conditions as dim as EV-6[15]. where subjects are barely even visible with the naked eye.
Still-image quality advances through new sensor and engine
The newly-developed image sensor and image processing engine deliver improvements in colour reproduction. particularly of skin tones. and texture depiction in still images.
New HEIF format and HLG image capture modes[16]
The HEIF image file format is supported. offering better image quality and greater compression efficiency than JPEG. plus 10-bit colour. High Dynamic Range still images can also be captured in HLG mode for viewing on compatible TVs.
Two CFexpress Type A-compatible media slots
Both card slots support both ultra-fast CFexpress Type A cards. allowing high-bitrate recording and fast buffer clearance. and SDXC UHS-II cards. Parallel and Relay recording are also available.
Vari-angle LCD monitor for comfortable movie shooting
The variable-angle 1.44 million-dot[17] 3.0-type touch screen features a side-open design. for flexible positioning and improved visibility when mounting on gimbals or rigs.
9.44 million-dot[17] high-definition electronic viewfinder
The new EVF offers resolution. contrast and colour unlike anything in its class[18]. It also offers world-leading 0.9x finder magnification[19]. a 41° diagonal field of view. and a 25mm high eyepoint.
New menu structure
Based on requests from our most demanding professional users. major improvements have been made to the menu structure. for improved at-a-glance readability and reduced menu navigation.
Intuitive touch operation
The menu screen can be operated by touch. while the playback screen features swiping. and pinch-to-zoom. Operability of the touch functions when shooting has also been improved.
5GHz[20] Wi-Fi compatible
As well as 2.4GHz. 5GHz[20] Wi-Fi® connectivity is provided for remote operation. wireless preview. and faster and more stable data transfer of both still images and video.
Wired LAN connectivity
For complex. interference-prone environments. or higher bandwidth needs. 1000BASE-T wired LAN connectivity is available by connecting a compatible USB-Ethernet adaptor cable to the camera’s USB Type C® port.
Remote preview and shooting
Either wired or wireless remote shooting is available from a PC. or from a mobile device with Imaging Edge MobileTM installed. for more efficient workflows and shooting in challenging environments.
1]With 10% image crop.
2]Approximate effective pixels.
3]S-Log3 movies. Sony tests.
4]Compared to the BIONZ X image processing engine.
5]XAVC HS compatible editing software is required.
6]RAW video output is full-frame 4264 x 2408 [16:9] data from the image sensor with a choice of 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p frame rates and colour spaces.
7]Compatible recorders to be announced. (As of July 2020. Atomos Ninja V is expected.)
8]Proxy recording is not available in the following conditions: (a) normal movie recording at a [Record Frame Rate] of 120p (100p) or higher; (b) S&Q movie recording at a [Record Frame Rate] of 120p (100p) or higher; (c) S&Q movies at a [Frame Rate] of 120 (100) fps or higher.
9]Compared to models with BIONZ X. Sony internal measurement.
10]Slight image crop in Active Mode. “Standard” setting recommended for focal lengths of 200mm or longer.
11]Active Mode is not available when recording at frame rates of 120 (100) fps or higher. or when using the S&Q feature.
12]Sony test conditions.
13]Up to 10 fps in continuous “Hi+” mode. CFexpress Type A memory card. Sony tests.
14]When using a CFexpress Type A memory card.
15]In AF-S mode. at F2.0. ISO 100.
16]A corresponding environment is required for playback of still images recorded in HEIF.
17]Approximate.
18]As of the July 2020 product announcement. Sony survey of mirrorless digital cameras.
19]50mm lens. infinity. -1m?¹ dioptre.
20]5GHz communication may be restricted in some countries and regions.