Sony Alpha A7 III (body)

TheSony Alpha A7 Mark III is a high-end camera with a stabilised 24.2MPix Full Frame Exmor R CMOS sensor, BIONZ X processor, large ISO range, advanced hybrid AF, UHS-II card support, 10fps continuous shooting, 4K video, OLED viewfinder and a host of other features

The Sony Alpha A7 Mark III is the next generation of the reportage model of the compact system camera (CSC/mirrorless), which thanks to its speed and image quality even at very high sensitivities is suitable not only for reportage and sports photographers, but also for documentary photographers, portrait photographers, landscape photographers and many other amateur or professional photographers. It is equipped with a five-axis stabilised 24.2MPix FullFrame Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor with a native sensitivity range of ISO100 - ISO51,200. The BIONZ X image processing engine processes captured data at extreme speed, allowing you to shoot with an extended sensitivity range of ISO50 - ISO204,800, process 4K video, and capture fast burst shooting action at up to 10fps in conjunction with a hybrid AF system with 693 AF points for phase detection and 425 AF zones for contrast focus detection. The camera has excellent ergonomics and customizable controls with a variety of user-adjustable buttons. The 0.5" electronic OLED viewfinder with XGA resolution displays 100% image coverage. On the back is a flip-up and touch-sensitive 3" TFT LCD with 100% field of view coverage. Connectivity to the environment is provided by Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) with NCF Forum technology (type 3), Bluetooth 4.1, SuperSpeed USB3.1 Gen1 connector (type-C), Micro HDMI connector (type-D), multi interface shoe socket with synchro connector, 3.5mm microphone jack and 3.5mm headphone jack. The compact magnesium camera body is very strong, lightweight and is perfectly sealed against dust and water run-off.

Important features
- The Sony E-Mount bayonet allows you to mount all Sony FE lenses and, via the Sony LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 adapters, all Sony A lenses with the Sony A-Mount bayonet
- Stabilized 24.2MPix Sony Exmor R CMOS Full Frame sensor with 3:2 aspect ratio and native sensitivity range of ISO100 - ISO51,200
- 5-axis image sensor stabilization allows you to shoot with up to 5 exposure stops longer
- BIONZ X image processor with 1.8x faster data processing to boost ISO sensitivity to a range of ISO50 - ISO204,800
- Enhanced hybrid AF system with 693 AF points for phase detection in the focal plane on the sensor and 425 AF zones for contrast detection, allowing up to 2x faster and 2x more accurate focusing
- 1200 zone exposure metering directly on the Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor with exposure compensation in +/- 5 exposure steps
- Continuous shooting at 10fps with autofocus and auto exposure tracking
- UHS-II card support enables continuous shooting at 10fps for 89 uncompressed RAW photos or 79 compressed RAW + JPEG photos, 163 JPEG (Extra fine)
- High-precision electronically controlled mechanical shutter with vertical travel in the focal plane offers a range of exposure times from 1/8000s - 30s and 1/250s sync
- Electronic OLED viewfinder with 0.5" diagonal, XGA resolution (2,359,296Pix), 120fps refresh rate, 0.78x image magnification, 100% image field coverage and diopter correction in the -4.0 and +3.0 diopter range
- Tiltable TFT LCD touch screen with 3.0" diagonal, 921,600Pix resolution, 00% image field coverage, 5-step brightness correction and 3:2 aspect ratio
- 4K video recording at 3840x2160 resolution with frame rates up to 30fps to XAVC/AVCHD (v2.0) file format with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression for video recording and LPCM 2-chan. / Dolby Digital (AC-3) 2-channel, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator for stereo audio recording
- Multi-interface socket for TTL controlled external flashes equipped with X-Synchro contact
- Built-in Wi-Fi module (IEEE802.11b/g/n) with support for NFC Form (type 3) technology
- Built-in Bluetooth 4.1 low-power wireless module
- Dual memory card slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC, MS PRO Duo, MS PRO-HG Duo, MS Micro with support for UHS-I (slot 1 and slot 2) and UHS-II (slot 1) speed class memory cards
- Connectivity is provided by USB 3.1 (Type-C, Gen 1) port, Micro HDMI connector (Type-D), Sync connector, 3.5mm microphone jack, 3.5mm headphone jack and remote trigger jack
- New Sony NP-FZ100 Li-Ion battery with up to 710 photos per charge (610 shooting through the viewfinder) or up to 125min of video (115min shooting through the viewfinder) as measured by CIPA
- Magnesium construction sealed against water and dust
- Extremely compact with dimensions of 126.9mm x 95.6mm x 73.7mm and weighing only 650g

Detailed description of features
24.2MPix Full Frame Sony Exmor R CMOS Back Illuminated Sensor
At the heart of the camera is a large Full Frame Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor with Back Illuminated technology, featuring 24.2MPix resolution, a gapless microlens design and an AR anti-reflective coating on the cover glass. Thanks to these technologies, the sensor achieves brilliant image quality with a realistic feel and high dynamic range that handles a wide range of native ISO sensitivities (ISO100 - ISO51,200). In conjunction with the image processor, the ISO sensitivity range can be extended to ISO50 - ISO204,800

5-axis image sensor stabilization with up to 5 EV
An innovative sensor stabilizer is integrated in the camera using a five-axis stabilized frame into which the Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor is mounted. This frame actively rotates, tilts in two axes and shifts in two axes, effectively compensating for shake and jitter that negatively affect the camera's sensor. In total, this eliminates up to five types of shake that cause blurred photos: tilt/roll shake around the X/Y axis that occurs when shooting at longer focal lengths, X/Y axis shake when shooting close-ups (including macro photography), and rotational shake around the Z axis that occurs during night shots when panning. The effectiveness of the stabilizer is achieved by new gyroscopes and sensors which, in cooperation with the latest algorithms, correctly evaluate the nature of the shake and how to eliminate it by means of commands to the electromagnetic compensation units of the stabilization unit. According to CIPA measurements, the efficiency of the stabilizer is 5EV degrees which in practice means that you can shoot with exposure times longer by 5 exposure degrees. The sensor stabilizer thus allows you to take full advantage of the sensor's high resolution (42.4MPix), even in situations where you are shooting in very low light such as night shots. The image sensor stabiliser allows you to stabilise shake regardless of the lens you have on, which is a great competitive advantage.

Significantly better image processing thanks to the improved BIONZ X processor
Thanks to the latest-generation high-end LSI system, which enables data to be read from the image sensor approximately 2x faster, the BIONZ X image processor is also about 1.8x faster at processing the recorded data into the final photo. Improved image processing reduces noise and extends the dynamic range over a wide range of native sensitivities, up to ISO32000 (the native ISO sensitivity range can be extended to ISO50 - ISO102400 for photography). Enhanced detail reproduction and improved noise reduction achieve a reduction in noise levels in the mid-range of native sensitivities by the equivalent of 1 exposure step. So, for example, the reproduction of skin tone tones is dramatically improved, making your job easier for portrait photography and post-processing. The Sony Alpha A7R Mk.III saves 14-bit uncompressed RAW files with a rich range of colour tones to memory cards (with UHS II support), even in silent or burst shooting mode.

Significant advances in autofocus performance
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III comes with an upgraded autofocus module taken from the top-of-the-line Alpha A9, bringing to this class of cameras cutting-edge performance with which it's no problem to focus, track and keep in focus 2x faster, even with very chaotic subjects. The advanced image processing system and autofocus algorithms from the Alpha A9 have been adapted for the Alpha A7 Mk.III, resulting in 2x faster focusing, accuracy, reliability as well as automatic subject tracking performance. The hybrid-type focusing system relies on 693 AF points with phase-difference detection in the focal plane (on the sensor) and 425 AF zones with contrast detection (also on the sensor), providing wide sensor area coverage and high density for perfect subject tracking. The Sony Alpha 7 Mk.III reliably autofocuses on unpredictably fast-moving subjects down to -3 EV brightness

Automatic eye focusing with twice the tracking performance
The improved precision of AF-C (continuous focus) mode autofocus and twice the autofocus speed and tracking performance of in-focus subjects make it easy to take portraits of moving people, which you'll love to use for fashion photography and dynamic portraiture. This even applies in burst mode, and even if the subject is looking away from the camera, or is photographed in backlight and has their face in shadow. The camera handles such situations not only with lenses equipped with the Sony E-mount bayonet, but also with Sony A-mount lenses connected via the Sony LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 adapters

Support for autofocus with phase difference detection in the focal plane for Sony A-mount lenses
Phase-difference autofocus works with Sony A-mount equipped lenses attached to the Alpha A7 Mk.III using the LA-EA3 adapter that are not equipped with a phase-difference autofocus sensor. The 399-point phase-difference autofocus system covers most of the sensor area, has fast response and high-speed tracking, and is virtually indifferent whether a Sony E-mount or A-mount lens is attached.

Burst shooting at 10fps with autofocus, in-focus subject tracking and instant auto exposure
Thanks to the new electronically controlled shutter, autofocus system adopted from the Alpha A9, and image processing system, the Alpha A7 Mk.III can shoot in continuous shooting mode at up to 10 fps with in-focus subject tracking and instant exposure evaluation, so shooting even the most active subjects won't be a problem for you. In Live View mode, the camera can burst-shoot at up to 8fps with minimal imaging lag. The electronic shutter comes in handy for silent, vibration-free shooting wherever even the quietest sound can mean ruining the perfect shot

Up to 177 photos in a row in continuous shooting mode
Larger operational buffer memory and support for high-speed UHS-II class memory cards allow the Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III to capture approximately 40 photos in a row in uncompressed RAW format, or up to 89 photos in a row in compressed RAW format, when shooting in burst mode at 10 fps. If you need to shoot a long sequence at the highest speed, we recommend selecting the JPEG format at which you can capture up to 177 photos. During memory card storage, the camera display shows a countdown of the number of photos remaining in the operational buffer waiting to be written to the memory card.

Auto Exposure (AE) Metering and Accuracy
Auto Exposure (AE) metering uses the camera's sensor itself, and for the most accurate exposure metering, it is divided into up to 1,200 areas in which exposure analysis is performed to determine accurate colors and brightnesses. Lens information about the subject's focus, position and movement is also used to refine the auto exposure results. This is particularly important for maintaining consistent AE results when shooting in continuous subject tracking mode, where a correct exposure shift is required due to the changing position of the subject against the background, whose brightness may also change as a result. In addition to classic metering modes such as spot metering, center metering and multi-segment metering, new metering modes - brightest area metering and area-averaged metering from the entire sensor area - have been integrated into the Alpha A7 Mk.III.

Electronic OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder with XGA resolution (2,359,296Pix)
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III features a high quality 0.5" XGA resolution (2,359,296Pix) 0.5" Electronic OLED Tru-Finder Viewfinder with a high refresh rate of 120fps, which is characterized by accurate reproduction of detail, contrast and blacks, while maintaining the natural brightness of the scene being photographed. The High Quality mode, which is suitable for fine focus adjustment, takes full advantage of the rich image data from the sensor to display more natural, high-precision shots with minimal moiré and jaggedness, so you can focus more on the job at hand without distractions. You can set the viewfinder refresh rate up to 120/100rpm for smooth motion display, and for finer control when manually focusing, you can turn on magnification of the selected focus area in the electronic viewfinder

LCD touch screen for intuitive operation
At 3" diagonal, the flip-up TFT LCD touch screen has a resolution of 921,600Pix and provides intuitive and instant touch focusing. Thanks to touch focusing, all you have to do is touch the screen to determine the focus point. At the same time, the touch surface allows you to move the focus frame to another location by moving your finger across the LCD screen, even if you are looking through the viewfinder.

Two memory card slots with support for USH speed class cards
The camera is equipped with two memory card slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC, MS PRO Duo, MS PRO-HG Duo, MS Micro. The upper slot supports UHS-II speed class memory cards and the lower slot supports UHS-I speed class memory cards. The two memory card slots allow you to write data either mirrored, in relay, or allow you to write RAW files to one and JPEG files to the other memory card. It is also possible to save photos to one and images to the other memory card, or even copy data from one card to the other. The cover of the memory card slots is lockable, which serves as a prevention against unwanted opening

Customizable controls and the ability to change the function of the controls to your preference
In the "My Menu" menu, you can detect and arrange up to 30 menu items based on frequency of use so that you can access them immediately and as quickly as possible. Camera settings can be registered (up to three in-camera and four on the memory card), so selecting a mode gives you quick access to personalize your camera. The camera also has 11 function buttons to which you can assign up to 83 functions for shooting, video recording and playback. The "Recall Custom Settings" function is useful for temporarily recalling settings that are assigned to custom buttons while that button is pressed

Shooting with the anti-flicker function of fluorescent lamps
The camera has an Anti-flicker shooting function that monitors the frequency of flickering light sources (fluorescent lamps) and synchronizes the moment the shutter opens so that the photos in the series taken have a consistent exposure. In addition, the camera selects the shutter opening moment so that the shot is exposed in the best possible exposure conditions with sufficient light from the light source. With this feature, the Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III not only achieves a consistently exposed series of photos, but also consistency of exposure even within a single photo, where without this feature, fast shutter speeds could risk darkening the top or bottom of the frame

Practical professional camera features
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III uses the new NP-FZ100 Li-Ion battery, which has 2.2x the capacity of the NP-FW50 batteries used in previous Alpha A7 models. Plus, the separately sold vertical battery grip can fit up to two NP-FZ100 batteries, so you'll more than double your shooting battery life. The Type-C USB connector and Multi/Micro USB connector offer the option of powering the camera with external batteries, which comes in handy for extended video shoots. Additionally, you can connect a remote control to the Multi/Micro USB connector while the USB connector is used to power the camera

Naturally realistic 4K video footage thanks to the Super 35mm mode
Use Super 35mm mode to shoot high-definition 4K video footage with minimal moiré and image distortion. It reads sensor data from a 5K resolution area (5176x2924Pix - 15MPix), which it then resamples and stores in 4K resolution (3840x2160Pix - 8MPix). The result is unexpectedly impressive 4K video footage that boasts exaggerated detail across the entire frame. Advanced image processing in Super 35 mode thus allows you to process data from the entire sensor area with significantly higher image quality at medium to high ISO sensitivities, so you can make the most of the unique potential of 4K video footage in every single shot. The camera can record video in XAVC and AVCHD (v2.0) file formats with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression for video recording and 2-chan LPCM compression. (XAVC), or Dolby Digital (AC-3) 2-channel, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator (AVCHD) for stereo audio recording

Wide support for various requirements for HDR video production
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III supports a wide range of requirements for HDR video production and offers S-Log3 gamma curves in addition to S-Log2 gamma curves for greater flexibility in post-production footage processing and a new 36mm HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) profile for instant HDR work. HDR video footage created in this way, played back on compatible TVs with HDR (HLG) format, no longer needs any additional colour gradation to look believable. This way, the videos do not contain any over- or underexposed areas
1. S-Log offers high flexibility for fine-tuning to your needs (requires additional color gradation)
2. HLG offers instantly watchable HDR video footage in high quality without the need for additional tuning (requires no additional color gradation)

Versatile video recording features
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III has a wealth of features that enable professional videographers to work seamlessly with video. These include the ability to record uncompressed RAW video via HDMI connector, time code to simplify video synchronization during editing, user tagging (TC/UB), control over shooting, view markers and settings, zebra function to highlight over/under exposed areas, slow motion/accelerated recording, simultaneous proxy recording, photo extraction from video footage, Gamma curve display assistant, and much more.

Improved compatibility with external flash units
Compared to its predecessors, the Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III is equipped with a sync connector so you can connect it to older flash units equipped with cables with a standard sync connector. When shooting with studio flashes, shutter lag is minimized to make flash photography smoother and more responsive. Burst flash shooting at up to 10fps offers advanced flash handling capabilities. For even more customizability, you can also use slow sync and second shutter blade sync when using a wireless external flash

Seamlessly connect to a PC via the UEB 3.1 Gen1 connector
The USB Type-C connector supports the USB 3.1 Gen1 interface speed standard, ensuring high-speed transfer of RAW format files to the PC. So you can quickly download photos to your PC at any time for review even while shooting

Wireless camera control and wireless data transfer options
The camera has a built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b/g/n) module with support for NFC Forum (Type 3) technology, so you can easily pair your camera with your smartphone/tablet. You can then start wireless data transfer (photos, videos) directly to the memory of your smartphone/tablet. Likewise, after installing the PalyMemorie Mobile app, you can add these photos and videos directly to social networks. The camera can also be remotely controlled through your smartphone/tablet using the app. If you don't have an NFC-enabled smartphone/tablet, you can use a compatible QR code to pair your devices.
In addition to built-in Wi-Fi, the Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III also has built-in Bluetooth 4.1 which, via the PlayMemories Mobile app, allows you to retrieve geolocation data and record it to photo exif files, or correct date, time and location settings. You can use the PlayMemories Home app to organize imported photos on a map at home on your PC.

Durable sealed magnesium alloy body
The Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III features a compact size, light weight, and highly durable sealed body, thanks in large part to its lightweight and strong magnesium alloy construction. The basis of the durable construction is the internal magnesium alloy frame to which the top cover and front and rear panels, also made of magnesium alloy, are attached. The Sony E-Mount bayonet, which is attached to the inner frame with six screws (only 4 screws on the predecessor), easily secures even the heaviest Sony telephoto lenses. The entire camera structure, including the buttons and controls, is sealed against the ingress of dust and moisture into the camera interior

Sony's image processing software package
Along with the Sony Alpha A7 Mk.III comes a new suite of image processing applications from Sony, collectively referred to as the "Imaging Edge". Imaging Edge extends the creative possibilities of RAW photo processing - from shooting with live preview on a PC and shooting to RAW, to transferring data to a PC, cataloguing, to instant processing, post-processing and viewing the resulting photos. The package includes three PC applications called "Remote", "Viewer" and "Edit", which can be downloaded free of charge. While shooting with a PC connection, a semi-transparent reference overlay option is available in addition to the actual display on the PC screen. Focus points can be set from the PC and also the new Pixel Shift function can be used, the resulting composite photos of which can be composed and displayed