Sony Alpha a7S III Digital Camera Body

Introducing the Alpha a7S III –a new milestone in sensitivity, speed and image supremacy. Featuring an all-new 12.1MP backside illuminated full-frame sensor with twice the readout speed for ultra-clean low-light images up to ISO 409,600 with 15+ stops dynamic range and 3x reduction in rolling shutter, plus Sony’s critically acclaimed fast hybrid autofocus with 759 phase detection AF points. A new BIONZ XR processing engine deliver 8x more processing power for up to 120p 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 and full pixel readout in all recording modes.

Sensitivity, speed, and supreme imagery

The Alpha a7S III features a newly developed 12.1-megapixel Full-frame Backside-illuminated (BSI) Exmor R CMOS sensor that delivers sensitivity, speed, and superior images and movie. It takes full advantage of the large pixels and BSI copper wiring structure to more than double the sensitivity and readout speed. The results are astounding, with phenomenal low-light capability, up to 15+ stops of dynamic range and drastically reduced noise for ultra-sharp and clean images and 3x reduced rolling shutter. In addition, this new Exmor R sensor features Sony’s acclaimed fast hybrid autofocus with 759 phase detection AF points and 92% coverage. The high sensitivity also allows it to autofocus in light as low as EV-6.

8x more processing power

A new BIONZ XR processing engine delivers 8x more processing power than previous models. It not only supports the high sensitivity and wide dynamic range that has become hallmarks of the “S” series, but also high-speed features such as real-time AF tracking and up to 10fps continuous shooting of more than 1000 RAW still images. This new BIONZ XR engine can process large volumes of data in real time, making full-frame readout without pixel binning possible in all recording modes, including 4K 120p All-I 10-bit 4:2:2. Whether shooting stills or movies, the Alpha a7S III offers overwhelming image quality with stress-free operation.

Legendary low-light and 15+ stops dynamic range

The Alpha a7S III builds on the legendary low-light performance synonymous with Sony’s ‘S’ series. The 12.1 MP sensor is optimized for 4K with full-pixel readout and to make use of much larger individual pixels for maximum light gathering capabilities and low signal-to-noise ratio. Fewer pixels mean each individual pixel is larger than on other higher pixel-count full-frame sensors. The Alpha a7S III also employs Sony’s industry-leading Exmor R backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor technology for additional low light performance and to double the readout speed. Base ISO is lower than previous ‘S’ models, with a still and movie range from 80 to 102,400, expandable to 40 to 409,600 for stills and 80 to 409,600 for movies. Thanks to the high-sensitivity, Exxmor R sensor and fast processing, the dynamic range for movies is an impressively wide 15+ stops.

High speed for slow motion

The Alpha a7S III offers several in-camera 4K recording modes to match your creative need and desired format. 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second delivers extraordinarily smooth 5x (max.) slow-motion imagery. In addition to supporting 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, this feature can be used with efficient inter-frame (Long GOP) compression or high-quality intra-frame (All-I) compression. A maximum bit rate of 1200 Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit, H.264, All-I) delivers supreme image quality when directly replaying movies in slow or quick motion in the S&Q mode. Up to 10x slow motion with Full HD resolution is possible at 240 fps (24p recording), providing fresh perspectives on dynamic sports and other types of action.

Effective heat dissipation for extended recording times

Heat buildup from processing large volumes of data when recording high-bitrate, high-resolution 4K 60p and 120p movie can plague other systems, but not the Alpha a7S III. Camera-wide passive heat dissipation is optimized using Sony’s unique Σ (sigma) graphite heatsink to keep the image sensor and image processing engine temperatures within their normal operating range, preventing overheating. This makes it possible to record 4K 60p video continuously for up to an hour. Even XAVC S-I 4K 60p 10bit 4:2:2 All-I can be recorded for over an hour until battery ends and XAVC S-I 4K 120p 10bit 4:2:2 All-I can record over 30 minutes until 2nd media gets full. Impressive heat management is achieved without sacrificing weather sealing and class leading small size and weight, which has become a hallmark of Sony’s α series E-mount cameras.

10-bit 4:2:2 video reaches new levels of realism

The α7S III can record 10-bit 4:2:2 video internally when using Long GOP or All Intra compression, making it possible to grade for fuller, more natural gradations while generally providing greater editing freedom. Maximum frame rate when recording full-frame 4K is 120p.

All Intra (for XAVC S-I recording)

In addition to the Long GOP inter-frame compression used in previous models, the α7S III supports intra-frame (All-I) recording for the first time in an α body, allowing internal 4K recording at bitrates up to 1200 Mbps. Intra-frame recording provides extra margin for post production and still image extraction when needed.

Efficient MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 (XAVC HS) coding

In addition to Sony’s common XAVC S (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) codec found on current models, the α7S III adds XAVC HS format recording using the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec for approximately twice the efficiency of XAVC S. You can record more detailed 10-bit 4K video at higher bit rates while keeping data volume within a manageable range. Image quality is better than XAVC S at a comparable bit rate, and equal to XAVC S at lower bit rates. H.265 video can be recorded internally to SDXC or CFexpress Type A memory cards.

16-bit RAW output for movie

The α7S III is capable of 16-bit RAW output up to 4K 60p to an external device via HDMI, to answer the increasing demand for RAW recording for applications that demand the highest quality and post-production flexibility provided by RAW output. Full-frame 4264 x 2408 (16:9 aspect ratio) 16-bit image output is possible, with a choice of frame rates (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p). You can also output RAW video via HDMI while recording XAVC HS 4K, XAVC S 4K, or XAVC S-I 4K to internal card media. Proxy recording is available during RAW output.

Easy S-Log matching with professional camcorders

In many moviemaking workflows the ability to match the color of footage from multiple cameras is essential. The α7S III includes S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma curves, the latter emphasizing shadow to mid-tone gradations and making it possible to achieve a dynamic range of 15+ stops. Three color gamut settings are provided: S-Gamut, S-Gamut3, and S-Gamut3.Cine. The S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine color gamut settings make it easy to match α7S III footage with that shot on professional camcorders equipped with S-Log3 gamma curve settings. Minimum ISO when shooting S-Log has been reduced to 640, and the 160 to 500 range of expanded ISO can be used as well. Sensitivity can be lowered by as much as 2 stops below the normal ISO range for extra-low-noise recording.

10-bit 4:2:2 HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)

The α7S III provides HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) high-dynamic-range picture profile that supports the wide-gamut BT.2020 color space for true-to-life imagery with detailed shadows and highlights, with no need for color grading. Video recorded with this picture profile can be directly played back on an HDR (HLG) compatible Sony TV. 10-bit recordings reproduce finer gradation and detail for extraordinary realism. Gamma can be selected from four presets: HLG (corresponding to IYU-R BT.2100), HLG1, HLG2, and HLG3. These gamma settings provide varying blends of dynamic range and noise performance, generally achieving wider dynamic range that still blends well with images from previous cameras.

Fast Hybrid AF in all modes

The α7S III incorporates Sony’s highly acclaimed Fast Hybrid AF in all modes for both still and movie shooting. The Exmor R sensor and powerful BIONZ XR processing engine make it possible to provide a high-density array of 759 selectable phase-detection AF points for high-speed autofocus tracking capability with the precision of 425-point contrast-detection AF to quickly lock onto subjects that move erratically or change speed suddenly and track them with tenacious reliability across 92% (approx.) of the imaging area.

Tenacious Real-time Tracking

AI-based Real-time Tracking with a 30% improvement in subject detection performance thanks to the new BIONZ XR processing engine and a new subject recognition algorithm uses color, pattern (brightness), distance (depth), face and eye information to process spatial information in real time at high speed. The focus area will seamlessly change between face and eye to object tracking according to the condition of the subject.

Intuitive touch AF control

Simply touch the desired subject on the monitor screen to initiate autofocus and tracking on that subject. The powerful real-time processing capabilities of the new BIONZ XR image processing engine, use Real-time AF tracking with advanced AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms to reliably track the selected subject while you concentrate on composition and shooting. This can be huge advantage when using a gimbal or shooting solo. Touch Focus can be used to temporarily engage AF when focusing manually. It is also possible to remotely control Touch Tracking during AF or Touch Focus during manual focus from the Imaging Edge Mobile application (Ver. 7.4 or later ) running on a mobile device.

Active Mode stabilization for handheld movie shooting

The α7S III features highly effective 5-axis in-body image stabilization with any lens attached. The powerful BIONZ XR image processing engine with advanced real-time processing, utilizes gyro sensors, plus optimized image stabilization algorithms to combine the new high-precision 5-axis stabilization unit with electronic Active Mode stabilization for movie shooting in 4K and other formats. This makes handheld shooting as stable as you can get without having to use a gimbal. Using optically stabilized lenses further enhance stability as the camera uses both in-body and optical lens stabilization together as well.

New menu with touch functionality

The α7S III has a completely redesigned menu structure making navigation quick and intuitive. Menu tabs are now situated on the left with parameter groups in the middle and individual parameters on the right, making functions easier and quicker to find. The new menu stature is also completely touch-responsive and parameters can be instantly selected by directly touching them on the display panel while lists can be scrolled by touch for unprecedented navigation and operation efficiency. Images to be reviewed can be selected by touch, and pinch-out/pinch-in gestures can be used to enlarge or reduce the selected image. Touch operation while shooting is also available for Touch Focus and Touch Tracking modes in addition to operating settings in the Fn menu. Touch sensitivity can be set to “Standard” or “Sensitive” for maximum control response and reliability.