Capturing Perfection: A Comprehensive Review of Sony Alpha A7R III

The Sony Alpha A7R III is a full-frame mirrorless camera that has been making waves in the photography world. This camera is touted as a game-changer with its impressive image quality, advanced autofocus, and high-speed shooting capability. In this blog post, we will provide an in-depth review of the Sony Alpha A7R III, covering everything from its key features to its overall performance.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A7R III article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 25 2017

Announced

42 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight657g
MSRP$3200

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Overview of the Alpha A7R III

Are you in search of a camera that can capture stunning, high-quality images? Look no further than the Sony Alpha A7R III. Recognized as one of the most impressive full-frame mirrorless cameras in the market, this camera is loaded with features that will help you take your photography to the next level. From its high-resolution sensor to its advanced autofocus system, the Sony Alpha A7R III is a top-of-the-line camera that is perfect for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. In this blog post, we will give you an in-depth review of the Sony Alpha A7R III, looking at its features, performance, and overall value. Read on to see why this camera is rising to the top of everyone’s wish list.

Sony Alpha A7R III Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A7R 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 resolution (42.4 megapixels)
Excellent low light performance
5-axis image stabilization
Fast autofocus system
Wide dynamic range
Dual card slots
Weather-sealed body

Cons

Expensive
Limited touchscreen functionality
Heavy
Slow start-up time
Short battery life
No built-in flash
Menu system can be confusing for beginners

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A7R III

Weather sealed
Dimensions127 x 96 x 74mm
Weight657g
Thickness74mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R III is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,440k 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 1,440k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R III includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,686k 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 A7R III has a 42MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 42 pixels. Sony Alpha A7R III has a native ISO range of 100 - 32000 which can be boosted to 50 - 102400. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 25 2017

Announced

100 - 32000

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 102400
Max resolution7952 x 5304 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

100 / 102

Color Depth

26 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.7 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3523 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A7R 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 medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is 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 A7R 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

StorageTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Battery Life650 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A7R III supports Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A7R 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 A7R III uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 650 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 A7R 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 A7R 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 A7R III includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 425 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 A7R III?

The Sony Alpha A7R III features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A7R III weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A7R III does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A7R III announced?

The Sony Alpha A7R III was announced on Oct 25 2017

Does the Sony Alpha A7R III have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A7R 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 A7R III?

The Alpha A7R III has a native ISO range of 100-32000, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102400 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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