Today brings with it, huge news as the wait is finally over and Sony’s newest full-frame mirrorless camera, the Sony a7S III has been revealed including details of key features including 4K resolution [up to 120 fps], 4:2:2 colour sampling and 10-bit internal recording. 

It has been a whole five years since we saw the release of the Sony a7S II; AKA the king of low light photography and video. Today, we see the arrival of the Sony a7S III and, in the wake of recent announcements from Canon with the new EOS R5 and R6 cameras, is the all-powerful upgrade that many have been expecting?

Sony themselves have been on the record, stating that their new camera will “exceed expectations” and we know from the palpable excitement in our studio alone, that there are a ton of Sony fans itching for information. There’s no mistaking, whilst the new Sony a7S III will perform well shooting stills, it has been built primarily with video in mind. The Sony a7S III is essentially very similar to its predecessor, the a7S II, but with enhanced dust and damp resistance. It has a larger grip, a new ‘Record’ button and a redesigned menu system, with dedicated stills and video modes. Read on for a complete overview of facts, figures, specs and opinions…

Sony a7S III: Video Key Features

4K Video: This new full-frame camera can shoot internal 4K video at up to 120 frames per second [10bit, All-Intra, 4:2:2 colour sampling] and 240 frames per second in 1080. When shooting in 4k/120, you can expect a crop to your frame.

New BIONX XRTM Image Processing Engine: Producing 8x the processing power of its predecessor.

12.1-megapixel Sensor: Back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, promising to significantly reduce rolling shutter effect.

Enhanced Real-time Eye AF: Effective for both video recording and shooting still images.

Variable angle LCD screen: Giving shooting flexibility with or without external monitoring.

Overheating & Video Time Limits: A crucial point, considering the issues that we know of over at Canon! There is no recording time limit when shooting in 4K 24/25/30p. With regards to 60p, Sony states that around 60 minutes is safe, dependent on room or outside temperature conditions. In 120p, you can expect to be able to film for approximately 30 minutes. 

IBIS: New 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilisation work in conjunction with their stabilised lenses. 

Watch Sony’s introduction video below:

Pricing and Availability

The new Sony new  a7S III camera will be available in Europe this September [2020] and will cost around £3,800. Full product specs can be accessed HERE.