Sony a7 III
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
Independent Lab Scores
General | |
|---|---|
About This CameraThe a7 III is a full-frame mirrorless camera that Sony launched in 2018. Its FE lens mount and Bionz X processor make it a general-purpose camera. It is set up for handheld shooting, with in-body stabilisation to counter camera shake and a listed ISO range running from 100 to 51200. At 650 g and measuring 127 x 96 x 74 mm, the body houses an electronic viewfinder with 2,359,296 dots, so framing comes through an electronic display rather than an optical window. | |
| Brand | Sony |
| Model | a7 III |
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | February 27, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 127 x 96 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g |
Optics81/100 | |
About the OpticsAt the heart of the a7 III is a 24.2 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. That combination of resolution and the large sensor format is the foundation the rest of the specification builds on. The Bionz X processor handles the sensor's output. Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 up to 51200, and the maximum shutter speed reaches 1/8000 second for use in bright light. For movement there are 693 autofocus points and a maximum burst rate of 10fps. That 10fps is a peak figure rather than one the camera sustains indefinitely. In-body stabilisation counteracts camera shake, keeping handheld work steadier at slower shutter speeds and indoors. It does not stop subject movement, only the shake from your own handling. Our optics score of 81 marks a very good stills package, placing this camera in the top 8% of our database for Optics. | |
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |  Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |  3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. | 6930300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 235929609900000 |
Video56/100 | |
About the VideoThe a7 III records 4K video, the maximum resolution listed. The stored data treats maximum resolution and maximum frame rate as separate limits, so the frame rate available in 4K mode is not stated here. Its fastest frame rate is 30fps, so the supplied specifications list no high-frame-rate slow-motion mode. Recording uses XAVC S or AVCHD, the two file formats listed. The specifications include no recording-duration, heat-behaviour or combined-mode details, so those practical limits remain unknown here. For a photographer adding occasional video clips alongside stills work, this coverage is workable. Our video score of 56 is modest, reflecting the 4K resolution, the 30fps maximum frame rate and the absent timelapse function. | |
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |  Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. | XAVC S, AVCHD |
Features81/100 | |
About the FeaturesShooting is built around a 3-inch LCD with 921,600 dots and a touch interface. The screen also flips for shooting at awkward angles, and live view is supported. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built in for wireless connectivity. The stored specifications do not detail what transfer or remote-control workflows those connections support. The body is weather sealed. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash can be fitted, and GPS is absent, so the camera itself records no location data. An 81 score here reflects a very good features package, with the screen, touch interface, live view, Bluetooth and weather sealing all contributing points. | |
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |  Yes |
Storage & Battery81/100 | |
About the Storage & BatteryTwo card slots accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media, along with Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo variants. Having two slots means two cards can remain loaded at once rather than swapped in and out. The NP-FZ100 battery carries a rating of 750 shots. No test standard or measurement conditions accompany that figure, so actual endurance will depend on settings and how you shoot. The battery also charges over USB, so it can be topped up from a laptop or a USB charger between shoots. Whether it charges while the camera is shooting is not stated. Our storage and battery score of 81 rates as exceptional. The dual slots and USB charging both earn their full points, while the 750-shot rating earns fewer of its available points. | |
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes |
| Battery type | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes |