Sony has long been a front-runner in pushing the cutting edge of what small camera bodies are capable. That is, in terms of low-light performance, razor sharp photos, and innovations like nearly perfecting the digital viewfinder. The new Sony A7S III is a bomber combination of a high-performing photo camera and one of the best 4K video cameras you can buy.
The A7S III presents massive improvements in the user experience over the A7S II with a new fully articulating touch screen that sports a 100% touch user interface. This jump to a touch UI is a big deal for anyone that has used a Sony body up to this point with a hodgepodge of touch and analog controls.
The 9.4 megapixel OLED viewfinder has been improved to offer a crisp and clear view experience while you pick which of the 759 phase-detection focus points you want to use. The viewfinder of the A7S III has more megapixels than this author’s first DSLR sensor had!
Autofocus has been improved with the addition of eye-tracking in animals and humans with Sony claiming a thirty percent improvement over the A7S II. Improved autofocus combined with In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and Active Stabilization makes keeping the A7S III on track a simple endeavor.
Although the 12.1 megapixel back-illuminated full-frame sensor is not capable of shooting 8K or even 6K like some of its competitors, the A7S III has nearly perfected low-light 4K video and the new heat management systems means you won’t have overheating problems that tend to be associated with Sony low-light performance. The full-frame sensor offers a 15-stop dynamic range and a 40-409,600 ISO range with initial tests from TechRadar showing usable video up to ISO 40,000!
Reported battery life is impressive to say the least with 4K recording times of around 75 minutes, an improvement over nearly every camera in its class. This improvement in battery life is thanks to the new Z battery that Sony claims has a sixty percent increase in life over the A7S III.
The biggest hang-up with the new Sony A7S III is price. Expected to be available in stores in September 2020 at a body-only price of $3,499 USD (£3,800, AU$5,999) the A7S III is an investment. Sony is hedging its bet that videographers looking for the best low-light video performance on the market will flock to the new A7S III.
For full details visit www.sony.com. Header image courtesy of Sony Corporation of America.