Sony's latest addition to the a7S range, the a7S III is a full-frame mirrorless still and video camera featuring a new 12.1 MP back-illuminated Exmor R sensor and BIONZ XR image processor for incredible image quality and speed. Film makers can shoot pro quality footage at up to 4K/120p or 4K/60p without crop with fast and precise autofocus. The new BIONZ XR processor powers super-fast 0.02 autofocus and 40-409600 ISO (expanded) range for exceptional results in low-light photography and video (80-409600 for video). In-body 5-axis image stabiliser is included to keep handheld photos and videos steady. The vari-angle 3-inch LCD now has touch operation for the newly revised menu layout. The alpha a7S III also adds improved dust and moisture resistance so you can work in all weathers. The camera body is highly durable thanks to full the magnesium-alloy construction.

New image sensor with double the readout speed
The newly developed back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, with 12.1 effective megapixels1, boasts a readout speed up to twice as fast as that of the α7S II, along with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. An advanced colour filter array boosts colour reproduction accuracy, while focal plane phase-detection AF enables substantial increases in autofocus stability and precision, all of which contribute to outstanding image quality.

New image-processing engine
The BIONZ XR image-processing engine boasts a performance level up to eight times that of the previous processor, minimising latency while markedly improving real-time processing capabilities for both movies and stills. The engine performs real-time processing of AF, image recognition and image-quality adjustments, while also handling data transfer, user interface and other camera operations.

High sensitivity, wide dynamic range
The full-frame 12.1-megapixel configuration enables high sensitivity with low noise throughout the camera's sensitivity range by optimising the output signal from the sensor. The standard ISO range is 80-102400, which is further expandable to 40-409600 (80-409600 for movies). The dynamic range is an impressively wide 15 stops, for beautiful, true-to-life images without blown highlights. Together, the camera's high sensitivity and wide dynamic range expand your creative freedom during shoots.

Fast Hybrid AF for still shots
The Fast Hybrid AF uses a high-density array of 759 phase-detection AF points (covering around 93% of the imaging area) in conjunction with 425-point contrast-detection AF. Real-time Eye AF (for humans and animals) and Real-time Tracking features are also available for the first time in the S series. Advanced AF algorithms facilitate precise AF down to light levels as low as EV-624, for accurate focus even when the subject would be difficult to see clearly with the naked eye.

High-speed continuous shooting performance
Mechanical and electronic shutters are each capable of continuous shooting at up to 10fps with AF/AE. Continuous shooting of over 1000 uncompressed RAW images is possible26 thanks to increases in the buffer memory of the BIONZ XR processor and memory-card writing speed.

Enhanced image quality for stills
The new image sensor and image-processing engine deliver an extraordinary degree of sensitivity, a defining characteristic of the S series, and significantly better reproduction of colour and textural details. Improved rendering capability provides realistic-looking images with reduced noise, particularly in the mid-to-high sensitivity range. A new Visible Light and IR Sensor improves auto white balance, and HEIF file options and an HLG Still Image Mode (for 8-bit and 10-bit HEIF stills) have been added.

Full-frame 4K recording at 120p
Full-frame 4K recording at 120fps with autofocus is possible thanks to the high-speed readout capabilities of the new image sensor working in tandem with the newly developed, powerful BIONZ XR processor. This high image-quality 4K, with full-pixel readout without binning, allows for clear post-produced slow motion (up to x5 slower than real time), as well as bokeh effects typical of full-frame cameras, all with smooth, high-precision autofocus. Despite the α7S III's compact size, it provides impressive scope for your creativity.

Fast Hybrid AF for movie shooting
Inheriting technology and performance standards from Sony's large-format FX9 pro camcorder, Fast Hybrid AF combines focal plane phase-detection AF with contrast-detection AF. This results in highly precise, smooth tracking of fast-moving subjects even over a wide range with a shallow depth of field, taking full advantage of Sony E-mount lenses' smooth linear-motor focusing and power-zoom operations. Newly added AF Transition Speed and AF Subject Shift Sensitivity parameters allow more flexible focus control, as requested by professional users. Both allow preset settings to be recalled during recording by using a customisable button.

Tracking features for movies
Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF make movie-making much easier. Touch Tracking initiates subject tracking with an intuitive touch to the LCD monitor, processing data on colour, pattern (brightness), distance (depth) and facial information to keep your subject in steady focus. You can then concentrate more fully on composition, which can be especially useful when you're shooting solo or using a gimbal. Touch operations can be used to temporarily engage AF even when you're shooting manually.

3-inch Vari-angle monitor
Flexibility in positioning the camera and framing shots is provided by the side-opening, vari-angle monitor, which incorporates a bright 3.0-type, 1.44 million-dot LCD screen. The MOVIE button is within easy reach on the camera's top panel, and a durable HDMI Type-A terminal ensures reliable connections to external monitors. The item arrangement and initial settings on the mode dial have also been adjusted to meet the needs of pro users.

High-definition 9.44 million-dot electronic viewfinder
Boasting the highest resolution in its class, the α7S III's viewfinder rivals the resolution of the human eye. It provides category-leading 0.90x viewfinder magnification, a 41º diagonal field of view, and a 25mm high eyepoint for clear, low-distortion viewing. Improvements in sealing greatly reduce the chance that even drastic ambient temperature fluctuations will cause interior condensation.

Recording movies with 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 colour sampling
The camera is capable of performing 4K internal recording with 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 colour sampling when using either Long GOP or All Intra compression. This makes it possible to push your colour grades further, stretching video out for ultimate HDR realism while still retaining natural gradation, for true editing freedom.

Enhanced movie image quality
Thanks to the improved capabilities of the α7S III's new image-processing engine, colours and textures of foliage and human skin can be more consistently reproduced without over-dependence on light sources. Gradation rendering has also been refined, for better-looking skin tones and highlight roll-off in portraits. When shooting 4K, the new image sensor and processing engine reduce rolling shutter distortion to as little as one-third that of the α7S II.

Enhanced audio quality
A digital audio interface is incorporated in the camera's Multi Interface (MI) Shoe, to facilitate cleaner, clearer audio recordings without loss of quality. The XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit additionally provides the camera with 4-channel 24-bit digital audio recording capability. Three recording formats can be selected from a menu: 48 kHz/16-bit 2-ch, 48 kHz/24-bit 2-ch, and 48 kHz/24-bit 4-ch, with the XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit required for the latter two formats.

S-Log2 and S-Log3 with 10bit 4:2:2 support
S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma curves are available, with S-Log designed for better reproduction of gradations from shadows to the mid-grey range (18% grey), enabling a dynamic range of up to 15 stops. Three colour gamut settings (S-Gamut, S-Gamut3, and S-Gamut3.Cine) are provided, and the latter two settings make it easier to match the colours of footage shot with Sony's professional cinema cameras. Because the colours match, colour grading is easier in post-production editing, making it more convenient to use the α7S III along with other pro cameras.

HEVC codec with high compression efficiency
Available for the first time, XAVC HS format recording using the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec roughly doubles the compression efficiency. Compared to a normal 4K XAVC S format, XAVC HS allows for detailed 10-bit video with 4:2:2 colour sampling at comparable or lower data rates, delivering even better image quality as well as manageable file sizes.

All-Intra internal recording
In addition to Long GOP inter-frame compression, the α7S III supports internal intra-frame (All-Intra) recording for the first time in an α-model body, where each frame is recorded independently at a high bitrate of up to 600Mbps. This can be useful for certain types of shoots as it allows maximum flexibility in post-production editing.

16-bit RAW data output
Facilitating improved image quality and more flexible and efficient editing in post production, the camera supports 16-bit RAW data output to an external recorder via HDMI, for the first time in the α series. The output is full-frame 4264 x 2408 (16:9 aspect ratio) 16-bit data from the image sensor, with a choice of frame rates.

Reliable, durable construction
To maximise dust and moisture resistance, additional sealing has been applied to all body seams and to the battery compartment cover, and the media slot cover has been redesigned to handle harsh outdoor environments. A filter in front of the image sensor oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency of 70,000 cycles per second to remove dust from the sensor surface. The camera chassis is highly durable thanks to full magnesium-alloy construction.

Two CFexpress Type A-compatible media slots
The camera's two media slots are compatible with new CFexpress Type A cards as well as SDXC/SDHC cards supporting UHS-I and UHS-II speed classes. CFexpress Type A cards are the next standard for compact storage with fast write/read speeds suitable for both high-speed continuous still shooting and 4K movie recording at high bit rates. They are capable of quickly clearing camera buffers even when high volumes of still image and movie data are being generated.

New touch-driven menu with workflow-based navigation
Responding to requests from pro photographers and videographers, the menu structure has been designed to allow professionals to work more efficiently. Menu tabs are on the left side of the display, while parameter groups and parameters related to the selected tab appear on the right. Up to three levels can be displayed together, making the menu structure more clearly visible. Touch-responsive menu operations enable fast, intuitive control.

Data communications to support on-site workflow
Wired and wireless communications features support FTP transfer for still and movie files as well as remote shooting capability, to facilitate professional workflows during shoots. Wireless 5GHz/2.4GHz LAN connections are supported, and wired connectivity to 1000BASE-T Ethernet networks is available via a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor cable connected to the camera's USB Type C port supporting SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps (USB 3.2). Remote shooting can be controlled from a PC with Sony's Imaging Edge DesktopTM application, or from a mobile device with Imaging Edge Mobile

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