Sony has launched a new full-frame Mirrorless camera, the α7 III (model ILCE-7M3). Sony’s unparalleled innovation in image sensors is at the forefront with the new α7 III, which is equipped with a brand-new 24.2 MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with enhanced sensitivity, excellent resolution, and an impressive 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivities.
Combining this sensor with a variety of outstanding features, including 93% extreme AF coverage, 10 fps fast shooting with mechanical or silent shutter, various 4K video capabilities, and more.
Sony has created a new tool that provides all types of photographers, from amateurs to professionals, the ability to capture content in new and different ways than in the past.
Full-frame Mirrorless Featuresα7 III
- 24.2 MP full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with advanced image processing
- Wide ISO range of 100 – 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 204800 for photos) and 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivities
- Top-tier AF system with 693 phase-detection AF points covering approximately 93% of the frame, 425 contrast-detection AF points, and fast, reliable Eye AF mode
- Continuous shooting up to 10 fps with mechanical or silent shutter and full autofocus/autoexposure tracking
- Built-in 5-axis optical image stabilization with a 5-step shutter speed advantage
- High-resolution 4K video recording with full pixel readout without pixel binning across the entire width of the full-frame sensor
- Longest battery life among Mirrorless cameras, at 710 shots per charge
- Enhanced usability and functionality, including a focus point adjustment joystick, dual SD card slots, SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C terminal, and more
Spectacular “full-frame” image quality
The 24.2 MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor newly developed is combined with a front-end LSI chip, which effectively doubles the read-out speed of the image sensor, as well as an updated BIONZ X processing engine, which increases processing speed by approximately 1.8 times compared to the α7 II.
These powerful components work together to allow the camera to shoot at faster speeds, while also enabling an amazing ISO range of 100 – 51200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 204800 for photos) and an overall improvement of 1.5 stops in image quality. The camera is also equipped with an incredible 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity settings, ensuring outstanding overall performance at all settings and in all shooting conditions, with significant improvements in accurate renderings of skin tones and vivid nature colors.
This new full-frame model can also offer a 14-bit RAW format even in silent and continuous shooting modes and is equipped with a 5-axis optical image stabilization system, which provides a 5-step shutter speed advantage.
Significant improvements in AF speed and performance
The innovative full-frame Mirrorless camera α7 III offers a vastly improved level of AF performance compared to the α7 II, including the addition of 4D FOCUS capabilities. The new camera features 425 contrast-detection AF points, which work with an AF system of 693 focal-plane phase-detection AF points inherited from the acclaimed α9.
This innovative AF system covers approximately 93% of the frame, ensuring reliable focus and tracking even for the most difficult subjects to capture.
AF response and tracking have also been significantly improved in the new camera, with an AF speed of nearly 2x under low-light conditions and a tracking speed of 2x compared to the previous model, thanks to the faster read-out of the image sensor. This allows for capturing complex and unpredictable movements with far greater precision and accuracy.
The acclaimed Eye AF feature is also available in the new camera, even in AF-C mode, which is extremely useful for situations where the subject is turning, looking down, or otherwise obscured. It also works when the α7 III is used with Sony’s A-mount lenses via the optional LA-EA3 adapter. Additional improvements in focus flexibility include the addition of a multi-selector or “joystick” for quick focus point movement, addition of touch focus functionality, AF availability in focus zoom mode, an AF on button, and more.
The speed to capture every decisive moment
The new α7 IIIis equipped with an enhanced image-processing engine, enabling it to shoot full-resolution images at up to 10 fps with continuous, accurate AF/AE tracking for up to 177 standard JPEG images, 89 compressed RAW images, or 40 uncompressed RAW images. This high-speed mode is available with either a mechanical or a completely silent electronic shutter, making the camera even more versatile. The α7 III can also shoot in continuous burst mode at up to 8 fps in Live View mode, with minimal viewfinder or LCD display lag.
For added convenience, while a large burst of images are being written to the memory card, many of the camera’s key functions, including access to Fn (Function) and Menu buttons, image playback, and various other menus and parameters, can be engaged, including image rating and other functions that help organize images on the spot.
Furthermore, when shooting under artificial or fluorescent lights, users can activate the Anti-flicker function to allow the α7 III to automatically detect the lighting frequency and set the shutter time to minimize its effects on captured images. This minimizes any color or exposure anomalies that can sometimes occur at the top or bottom of images shot at high shutter speeds.
4K Video of High Quality
The new α7 III is also an outstanding video camera, offering 4K video recording (3840×2160 pixels) across the full-frame 35mm full-frame sensor. In video mode, the camera uses the full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect approximately 2.4 times the amount of data required for 4K movies and then oversamples it to produce high-quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.
Available on the α7 III is a Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) picture profile, which supports an Instant HDR workflow, allowing the playback of spectacular, lifelike 4K HDR images on compatible HDR (HLG) televisions. Additionally, both S-Log2 and S-Log3 are available for greater color grading flexibility, as well as Zebra, Gamma Display Assist, and proxy recording functionality. The camera can also record Full HD video at 120 fps up to 100 Mbps, allowing for 4x or 5x slow motion footage in Full HD resolution with AF tracking to be reviewed and edited.
Improved Construction, Design, and Customization
Sony’s brand-new full-frame camera is packed with a host of advanced features initially introduced in the α9 and subsequently in the α7R III. These include dual SD card slots, with the top slot compatible with UHS-II memory cards. Users have a wide range of options for storing contents on each card, including separate JPEG/RAW recording, separate still and movie recording, relay recording, and many more. Battery life has also been significantly extended – with CIPA1 measurement ratings of up to 710 shots per charge, it offers the world’s longest battery life of any full-frame mirrorless camera, as it uses a Sony Z battery, the NP-FZ100 with approximately 2.2 times the capacity of the NP-FW50 W-series battery used in the α7 II.
The new camera features a “My Menu” function, allowing for the registration of up to 30 menu items that can be recalled instantly when needed. Users can also use star ratings for their photos, via the camera controls, for easier image playback and review, and can edit the first three characters of file names. Furthermore, a total of 81 functions are assignable to 11 custom buttons, and the camera is built to withstand dust and moisture.
The α7 III is equipped with a fast-initializing XGA OLED Tru-Finder with high contrast and high resolution of approximately 2.3 million dots, for crisp, realistic detail reproduction. “Standard” and “High” quality display settings are also available for both the viewfinder and the LCD screen. The camera enables file transfer to smartphones, tablets, computers, or FTP servers via Wi-Fi and features a USB Type-C™ port with SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen. 1) that enhances versatility in terms of power supply or connected accessories, as well as supporting faster image transfer speeds during tethered shooting.
The α7 III also comes with the new “Imaging Edge” software suite, which expands the creative capabilities of the entire shooting process, from pre-processing to post-processing. “Imaging Edge” offers three downloadable PC applications – “Remote,” “Viewer,” and “Edit” – that support remote shooting with live-view on PC and RAW development. In the latest version 1.1, several improvements have been implemented, including a 10% increase in data transfer speed from PC (PC tethered shooting) and approximately a 65% improvement in response speed for RAW image editing. For more information, please visit the Imaging Edge support page: www.sony.net/disoft/d/.
The α7 III is also compatible with a wide range of Sony E-mount camera accessories, including the BC-QZ1 battery charger and VG-C3EM vertical grip.
The new α7 III will be available starting in April 2018 as a body-only model or in a kit with the SEL2870 lens.
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new α7 III camera and other Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to inform and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s α brand.
Pubblicato in Photography
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