Sony Alpha A7 III - A Comprehensive Review of the Best Mirrorless Camera

The Sony Alpha A7 III is a game-changing mirrorless camera that boasts remarkable features for both hobbyists and professional photographers. This camera packs a punch with its fast autofocus, high-quality image sensor, and nearly perfect image stabilization. In this blog post, we'll explore the camera's various features and capabilities, helping you decide if the Sony Alpha A7 III is the right choice for your needs.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A7 III article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 27 2018

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight650g
MSRP$2000USD

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Sony Alpha A7c

Released Sep 14 2020 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 II

Released Nov 20 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7S II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7S II

Released Oct 12 2015 | 12MP resolution

Overview of the Alpha A7 III

As technology in the camera industry continues to advance, mirrorless cameras are becoming more popular among photographers of all levels. Sony has always been at the forefront of this revolution, and the Sony Alpha A7 III is another testament to their commitment to providing outstanding cameras to their loyal customers. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the features of this camera and discuss why it is one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market today. So, whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist just starting, keep reading to find out why the Sony Alpha A7 III might be the perfect choice for you.

The Sony Alpha Series Lineup

Sony Alpha 7 thumbnail

Sony Alpha 7

Released Jan 22 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 II

Released Nov 20 2014 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 III thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 III

Released Feb 27 2018 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7c thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7c

Released Sep 14 2020 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 IV thumbnail

Sony Alpha A7 IV

Released Oct 21 2021 | 33MP resolution

Sony Alpha A7 III Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A7 III camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High megapixel count
Great low-light performance
Fast autofocus system
Impressive dynamic range
Weather-sealed body
Dual SD card slots
Long battery life
4K video capabilities
In-body image stabilization
Wide range of compatible lenses

Cons

Limited touchscreen functionality
No built-in flash
Limited touchscreen functionality
Menu system can be overwhelming to navigate
Limited lens options compared to other brands
Lacks some advanced video features found in other models
No headphone jack for monitoring audio during video recording
Limited face and eye detection capabilities in autofocus

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A7 III

Weather sealed
Dimensions127 x 96 x 74mm
Weight650g
Thickness74mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A7 III camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Alpha A7 III is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution922k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 922k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A7 III not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Alpha A7 III includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.78x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha A7 III has a 24MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Sony Alpha A7 III has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 27 2018

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

96 / 102

Color Depth

25 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3730 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A7 III camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is above average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha A7 III is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life610 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A7 III supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A7 III is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Sony Alpha A7 III uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 610 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha A7 III does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha A7 III boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha A7 III includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 693 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha A7 III?

The Sony Alpha A7 III features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A7 III weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A7 III does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A7 III announced?

The Sony Alpha A7 III was announced on Feb 27 2018

Does the Sony Alpha A7 III have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A7 III does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha A7 III?

The Alpha A7 III has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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