Break through all limits - with the new Sony Alpha 7S III
Reading Time: 5 minutes - July 28, 2020
The new Sony Alpha 7S III takes you into a whole new world of videography. Equipped with a brand new sensor and superior 4K video quality that is particularly impressive in low light situations! It is also no longer limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds of recording time. Find out what else the new Sony has surprised us with in this article.
This is all new!
With the Alpha 7SIII, Sony has created a new extremely light-sensitive 12.1 MP EXMOR R full-frame sensor, which now ensures outstanding quality in low-light situations thanks to a newly installed backside exposure. The technology is supported by the improved BIONZ XR image processor, which delivers eight times the performance of previous processors. Sony is even setting new standards in operation: For the first time, a fully movable monitor (3.0 inches, 1.44 million dots) has been installed in the Alpha 7 series, which now also allows operation of the restructured menu using the touch function,. The new OLED viewfinder achieves a record resolution of 9.44 million dots and a magnification of 0.9x, so you are guaranteed to see every last detail!
Unlimited video performance without limits: 4K with 120p
Sony continues to focus on 4K video quality, but the 12-megapixel resolution of the sensor is set to create a whole new level of video quality. Sony promises no cropping and no pixel binning, with a full pixel readout up to 4K and 60 frames per second. The Sony Alpha 7SIII sets no limits: you can record at 4K/60p for up to an hour without overheating. With Full HD, the Alpha 7S III even records at up to 240 frames per second, and low frame rates are also available for time-lapse recordings (up to 1p). In addition, with the new 7SIII Sony is focusing on a completely different color representation! This is achieved by the gamma profile (S-Log 2/3), which enables a dynamic range of over 15 f-stops and works with a sensitivity of ISO 640 (extended: ISO 160). With a color subsampling of 4:2:2 and a color depth of 10 bit, your shots will shine in a whole new light. Sony provides new codecs for this: The XAVC-S-I captures single frames (All-I) at a data rate of up to 500 Mbits/s, while the XAVC-HS codec reduces the amount of data during compression thanks to H.265 compressionCompression to 200 Mbit/s. Via HDMI 2.1 the 7S III can even transfer and display the data volume as 16-bit raw files to a recorder. The 5-axis image stabilizer in the Body itself significantly minimizes the rolling shutter effect. Measured according to the CIPA standard, this achieves an effectiveness of 5.5 f-stops. In addition, digital stabilization (Active Mode) is used, which ensures optimum image stabilization with the help of a gyro sensor.
Fast autofocus for all situations!
The ultra-fast hybrid autofocus covers 92% of the image sensor. This utilizes 759 points with phase detection and 425 with contrast autofocus. The autofocus algorithm recognizes the eyes of people and animals even at greater distances than before.
Brand new in the Alpha 7S III are the two memory card drives that can use both SD cards (UHS-II) and the new CFexpress Type A cards . These are slightly smaller than the type B cards, but much faster than SD cards. This is particularly interesting in S&Q mode with 4:2:2 color subsampling and 10-bit color depth, because this is where the CFExpress cards are of particular importance. Sony has announced the launch of two CFExpress Type A cards, which should achieve speeds of up to 800 MB/s. The series mode also benefits from the faster cards; with up to 1000 uncompressed RAWs you can save a sequence here.
Swivel and rotatable displayCompact overview
- 759 phase autofocus points with 92% covered sensor area and improved real-time eye autofocus
- With new XAVC-HS (H.265) and XAVC-S-I (All-I) codecs, 16 bit RAW output, large HDMI output, S-Log picture profiles and 4-channel digital audio interface, the A7S III offers ideal conditions for a highly efficient workflow in a compact form factor
- Integrated image stabilizer with up to 5.5 f-stops compensation + new active mode
- new menu structure with full touch support,
- Dual CF Express Type A/UHS-II card slots
- improved dust and moisture resistance for optimal usability and reliability in all shooting situations
- Weight: 614g
- The AF sensitivity goes up to -6 EV The camera shoots series at up to 10 fps. The mechanical shutter is designed for 1/8000 s
- Z battery that can be charged via USB-C: Power for 600 photos or 95 minutes of video
- Continuous power supply via USB is possible
- S-Log image profiles
- NP-FZ 100, USB-C, full-size HDMI
Conclusion on the new Sony Alpha 7S III
The new Sony Alpha 7S III sets completely new standards for videography. With the new 12.1 MP sensor, it defies every situation and impresses with brilliant color depth. There are no more limits, especially in video mode: no more overheating and, thanks to the new memory card slots, no more problems with data processing! Some will be pleased to hear that recordings longer than 30 minutes are now also possible, at least at 4K 60p. It combines professional functions in a robust, compact body. The Sony Alpha 7SIII is expected to be available exclusively from specialist photo retailers in the second week of September.
