The Sony Alpha a7R III is the company’s latest high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera. The camera is now capable of faster processing, improved autofocus, improved handling, and ergonomics, as well as the adoption of a much larger battery. While some of the individual changes are subtle, they very quickly combine to produce a hugely capable and highly useable camera. an ideal partner offering superior speed, high-resolution imaging, pro-class operability, and reliable performance even under harsh conditions. It is an ideal partner offering superior speed, high-resolution imaging, pro-class operability, and reliable performance even under harsh conditions.
Sony Alpha a7R III Specifications
Body Design
The Alpha a7R III functions reliably in challenging environments. Its body is fortified by lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy top cover, front cover, internal frame, and rear cover. Also, the number of lens mount screws has been increased to six for enhanced durability. The sealing is provided throughout the body to minimize the entry of dust and moisture.
Sony Alpha a7R III 360 Degree View
- Body type – SLR-style mirrorless
- Camera Format – Full-Frame
- Body material – Magnesium alloy
- Weight of the body only – Approx. 650 g
- Weight (With Battery and Memory card Included) – Approx. 657 g
- Dimensions – Width 126.9 mm x Height 95.6 mm x Diagonal 73.7 mm
- Operating Environment – 32 – 104 degrees F / 0 – 40 degrees C
- Lens Mount – E Mount
- Shutter Type – Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
- Slower shutter speed – 30 sec
- Fastest shutter speed – 1/8000 sec
- Shutter life – 5,00,000 Shots
- Mirror Lock-Up – No
- Memory Card Slots – SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
- Battery description – NP-FZ100, Rechargeable.
- Battery Life – Approx. 530 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 650 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard) for still, Approx. 100 min (Viewfinder) / Approx. 115 min (LCD monitor), (CIPA standard) for actual movie recording, Approx. 180 min (Viewfinder) / Approx. 190 min (LCD monitor), (CIPA standard) for continuous movie recording
- Charging AC adapter – BC-QZ1
- Tripod Socket – 1/4 in
Sensor and Processor
The a7R III has the 35 mm full-frame EXMOR R CMOS image sensor with 42.4-megapixel resolution, the sensor has back illumination and gapless on-chip lens design for extraordinary sensitivity and dynamic range. Also, it consists of an anti-reflection (AR) coating on sensor seal glass for better performance. The camera is further enhanced with the advanced image processing engine the BIONZ X which makes data readout from the image sensor approximately 8 times faster. The improved processor helps the camera for better noise reduction and increases dynamic range.
- Sensor type – CMOS
- Total Pixels – 43.6 megapixels
- Effective Pixels – 42.4 megapixels
- Sensor size – Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm)
- Max resolution – 7952 x 5304
- Other resolutions – 3:2 – 35 mm full-frame L: 7952 x 5304 (42M), M: 5168 x 3448 (18M), S: 3984 x 2656 (11M), APS-C L: 5168 x 3448 (18M), M: 3984 x 2656 (11M), S: 2592 x 1728 (4.5M), 16:9 – 35 mm full-frame L: 7952 x 4472 (36M), M: 5168 x 2912 (15M), S: 3984 x 2240 (8.9M), APS-C L: 5168 x 2912 (15M), M: 3984 x 2240 (8.9M), S: 2592 x 1456 (3.8M)
- Processor – BIONZ X
- Bit Depth – 14bit RAW
- Camera Stabilization – 5-axis image sensor shift
- Aspect Ratio – 3:2
- Colour space – sRGB, Adobe RGB compatible with TRILUMINOS Colour
- Colour filter array – Primary colour filter
- Continuous shooting speed – Continuous shooting: Hi+: max. 10 fps, Hi: max. 8 fps, Mid: max. 6fps, Lo: max. 3 fps
Image
The sensor is now cooked with many innovations that unleash the sensor’s power to make images look realistic. The a7R III has wide ISO sensitivity with upgraded detail reproduction and area-specific noise reduction. Also, the reproduction of skin color has been dramatically improved for better image quality even in low light conditions.
- Image ratio – 3:2
- ISO Auto – 100-32000
- Minimum ISO – 50
- Maximum ISO – 102400
- White Balance presets – 10
- White Balance Bracketing – Provided
- Image stabilization – Sensor-shift 5-Axis
- File format – RAW, RAW + JPEG, JPEG with (Extra fine, Fine, Standard)
- Picture Styles – Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia, Style Box (1–6), (Contrast (–3 to +3 steps), Saturation (–3 to +3 steps), Sharpness (–3 to +3 steps))
- Picture Effect – Posterization (Colour), Posterization (B/W), Pop Colour, Retro Photo, Partial Colour (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal/Cool/Warm/Green/Magenta), Soft High-key
Optics and Focus
An evolved image processing system and a9 camera AF algorithms optimized for the a7R III improve AF speed, precision, and tracking performance. The developed AF system is capable of two times faster AF speed and more precise AF tracking performance for maintaining focus for even in unpredictable moving subjects. Also, the a7R III autofocuses reliably down to EV-3 brightness with more accuracy and speed. An efficient combination of focal-plane phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF accurately locks onto quickly moving subjects, then tracks them smoothly.
- Focus Mode – AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus
- Number of focus points – 35 mm full frame: 399 points (phase-detection AF), APS-C mode with full frame lens: 323 points (phase-detection AF), with APS-C lens: 255 points (phase-detection AF) / 425 points (contrast-detection AF)
- Lens mount – E Mount
- Focal length multiplier – 1×
Auto Focus
- Autofocus system – Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF)
- Autofocus Sensitivity – -3 to +20 EV
- Focus Area – Wide (399 points for phase-detection AF / 425 points for contrast-detection AF)
Screen and Viewfinder
The a7R III electronic viewfinder has 3.69-million-dot, it is a Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder which provides accurate detail, contrast, and black reproduction while maintaining natural image brightness. It is the only EVF to offer features such as a powerfully enhanced focus magnifier that allows autofocus while a chosen focus area is magnified in the viewfinder. In addition to this, a 7.5 cm (3.0-type) LCD touch screen is now improved with 1.44 million dots makes focus operation intuitive and instant. Also, the TouchPad function lets you drag the focus frame to another point with a fingertip on the LCD screen as you monitor the shot through the viewfinder.
- Screen Type – TFT
- The Screen size – 7.5 cm (3.0 Type)
- Screen dots – 14,40,000 dots
- Touch screen – Yes
- Live view – Provided
- Viewfinder type – 1.3 cm (0.5-type) electronic viewfinder (colour), Quad-VGA OLED
- The Viewfinder coverage – 100%
- Viewfinder Eye Point – 23 mm
- Viewfinder Magnification – Approx. 0.78x
- Diopter Adjustment – -4 to +3 m-1
Photography Features
The a7R III can take full advantage of its 42.4-megapixel with an effective in-body 5-axis image stabilization with up to 5.5-stops of average shutter speed. This comprehensive system avoids five types of camera shakes that tend to blur images. Furthermore, it functions with A-mount lenses attached via mount adaptor, as well as E-mount lenses. The improved pixel shift multi shooting opens up a new world of resolution that contains total data equal to approx. 169.6 million, or 42.4 million x 4 (RGGB), pixels to reproduce a single optimal still image of super-high resolution. With a new shutter unit and image processing system refinements, the a7R III can shoot continuously at up to 10fps with a minimal display in live-view for the easy, stable shooting of even intensely active subjects.
- Exposure modes – AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) ), Slow & Quick Motion (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) )
- Drive Mode – Single Shooting, Continuous shooting (Hi+/Hi/Mid/Lo selectable), Self-timer, Self-timer (Cont.), Bracket: Single, Bracket: Cont., White Balance bracket, DRO bracket
- Silent Shooting – Yes (ON/OFF)
- Electronic Front Curtain Shutter – Yes (ON/OFF)
- Metering modes – Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
- Exposure compensation – ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
- Metering Range – –3 to +20 EV
- Built-in flash – Not provided
- External flash connection– Hot Shoe
- Flash Maximum sync speed – 1/250 s
- Flash Compensation – ±3 EV (1/3 or 1/2 EV Steps)
- External Flash Connection – Sony α System Flash compatible with Multi Interface Shoe, attach the shoe adaptor for flash compatibility with the Auto-lock accessory shoe
- Flash Control – Pre-flash TTL
- Flash Modes – Flash off, Auto-flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable), Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
Video or Movie Features
The Sony a7R III provides versatile movie recording functions with high-resolution 4K movies without pixel binning condenses approximately 1.8 times the amount of data required for 4K movies (QFHD: 3840 x 2160). It is now possible to record full-frame 4K movies with dramatically improved image quality in the mid-to-high ISO range, as a result, it helps to make the most of the 4K movie format with a unique potential in every shot. The a7R III offers S-Log3 as well as S-Log2 gamma curves, for more flexibility to express images through grading operation in post-production, and a new HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile for instant HDR workflow.
- Recording Format – XAVC S, AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant
- Video Compression – XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
- Video Encoding – NTSC/PAL
- Videography Format – XAVC S, AVCHD format Ver. 2.0
- Frame Rate – NTSC – XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160 (30p, 100 M), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 100 M), 3840 x 2160 (30p, 60 M), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 60 M), XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080 (120p, 100 M), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60 M), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50 M), 1920 x 1080 (30p, 50 M), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 50 M), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 25 M), 1920 x 1080 (30p, 16 M) AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (60i, 24 M, FX), 1920 x 1080 (60i, 17 M, FH); PAL – XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160 (25p, 100 M), 3840 x 2160 (25p, 60 M) XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080 (100p, 100 M), 1920 x 1080 (100p, 60 M), 1920 x 1080 (50p, 50 M), 1920 x 1080 (25p, 50 M), 1920 x 1080 (50p, 25 M), 1920 x 1080 (25p, 16 M) AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (50i, 24 M, FX), 1920 x 1080 (50i, 17 M, FH)
- Slow and Quick Motion – NTSC mode: 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p), PAL mode: 1920×1080 (50p, 25p)
- Picture Profile – Yes (Off/PP1-PP10) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3, HLG, HLG1-3), Black Gamma, Knee, Colour Mode, Saturation, Colour Phase, Colour Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset
- HDMI Output – 3840 x 2160 (25p), 1920 x 1080 (50p), 1920 x 1080 (50i), 1920 x 1080 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1920 x 1080 (60i), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 3840 x 2160 (24p),YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit / RGB 8bit
- Audio Recording – Built-In Microphone (Stereo)
- Audio File Format – XAVC S: LPCM 2ch, AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3) 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
- Moreover Audio Output – Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter)
Other Special Features of Sony a7R III
My Menu now lets you register and arrange up to 30 menu items in order of frequency of use for instant recall. The ratings from 1 to 5 stars can be applied to still images and maintained as the images are imported into PlayMemories Home or the new Sony imaging software suite running on a PC. The a7R III has new sync terminals for non-dedicated flash units and cables with standard sync terminals which can be connected for convenient synchronization with studio flash units, etc. The flicker from fluorescent and other artificial lighting is automatically detected and shutter action is timed to minimize the flicker’s effect on still images. The a7R III has an electronic shutter that allows silent, vibration-free shooting which can be used where even slight noise can mean missing an ideal shot.
- Eye Tracking – Human/Animal Eye Tracking AF
- Face Detection – Modes: Face Priority in AF(On/Off), Face Priority in Multi Metering (On/Off), Regist. Faces Priority (On/Off), Face registration, Max. number detectable: 8
- Digital Zoom – Still – Smart zoom (Still images): 35 mm full-frame: M: approx. 1.5x, S: approx. 2x, APS-C: M: approx. 1.3x, S: approx. 2x
- Digital zoom (Still images): 35 mm full-frame: L: approx. 4x, M: approx. 6.2x, S: approx. 8x, APS-C: L: approx. 4x, M: approx. 5.2x, S: approx. 8x, Digital zoom (Movie): 35 mm full-frame: approx. 4x, APS-C: approx 4x
- Clear Image Zoom – Still images: Approx. 2x, Movies: Approx. 1.5x (4K), Approx. 2x (HD)
- Anti-Dust System – Charge protection coating on optical filter and image sensor shift mechanism
- Time-lapse recording – Provided
- PC Interface – Mass-storage, MTP, PC remote
- Wireless – Built-in
- Wi-Fi – 2.4GHz
- Bluetooth – Yes Ver.4.1
- Storage types – SLOT1: Slot for SD (UHS-I/II compliant) memory card, SLOT2: Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/SD (UHS-I compliant) memory card
- USB Connectivity – SuoerSpeed USB Type-C 3.1
- NFC – Yes (One-touch Remote, One-touch Sharing)
- HD Output – 4K movie output/4K still image PB, BRAVIA Sync (Control for HDMI), HDMI micro connector (Type-D), PhotoTV HD
- Port Provided – Microphone, Headphone
- Remote control – Yes (Wired, smartphone)
- Self-timer – 10 sec. delay/5 sec. delay/2 sec. delay/Continuous self-timer (3 frames after 10 sec. delay/5 frames after 10 sec. delay/3 frames after 5 sec. delay/5 frames after 5 sec. delay/3 frames after 2 sec. delay/5 frames after 2 sec. delay)/Bracketing self-timer
- Sync Terminal – Yes
Best Lenses for Sony a7R III
There is a wide variety of lens line-up awaiting especially for the α7R III enthusiasts to increase the imaging experience to the next level. Sony’s α lenses have the extreme capability to maximize the camera’s performance to the fullest. These lenses fulfill every need for any occasion with its quality standards.
Best All-in-one Lens
- FE 24–240 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
Most Common Standard Zoom Lenses
- FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM
- Lens FE 24-105 mm F4 G OSS
Best Standard Prime Lenses
- FE 35 mm F1.8
- FE 50 mm F2.8 Macro
- Lens FE 85mm F1.8
- FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
Best Macro Lenses
- FE 50 mm F2.8 Macro
- FE 90 mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Top Standard Zoom Lenses
- FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM
- FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS
- Lens FE PZ 28–135 mm F4 G OSS
Best Wide-angle Zoom Lenses
- FE 12-24mm F4 G
- FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
- Lens FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM
Best Wide-angle Prime Lenses
- FE 20 mm F1.8 G
- FE 24mm F1.4 GM
- Lens FE 35 mm F1.8
List of Best Specialized Lenses for Sony a7R III
Best Indoor Sports Lenses
- FE 70–200 mm F4 G OSS
- FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS
- Super telephoto Zoom 100-400mm G Master Lens
Top Outdoor Sports and Wildlife Lenses
- Sony FE 200–600 mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS
- FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS
- Sony FE 600-mm F4 GM OSS
- 1.4x and 2x Teleconverter Lens
Best Portrait Lenses
- FE 50mm F1.8
- FE 85 mm F1.4 GM
- Lens FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Best Travel and Street Lenses
- FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
- FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM
- Lens FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS Lens
- FE 50mm F1.8
- FE 85 mm F1.4 GM
Sony Alpha a7R III Rating
As per the specifications and features of the Sony a7R III, this camera is rated 4.5/5. The α7R III is a great option for an incredibly wide variety of photographers. Since it offers fast burst shooting speed and even high-quality 4K video this is an ultimate package with high image quality with high performance. This camera will be suitable for any kind of photography genres where it will fit for any kind of usage. Further, this rating is given to Sony a7R III as per the survey of creative huts.
