Sony’s video-first a7S camera has been updated for the first time in five years. The third edition improves battery life, video quality, and has the sharpest EVF of any camera to date.
Sony’s full-frame camera systems includes populist entries and specialized models alike. Its video line, the a7S series, has been defined by a purpose-built 12MP sensor, the perfect resolution for 4K video footage, since the first-generation model, but it’s been close to five years since the a7S II debuted. Today, Sony is unveiling the a7S III. Its image sensor is new, but maintains the full-frame 12MP design. It’s the right resolution for 4K capture—Sony has decided not to play in the 6K or 8K space with this release. The body design is very similar; Sony has made some changes here and there over the years, and has opted to use the same chassis as the a7R IV. It holds a much stronger battery than the a7S II, is protected against dust and splashes, and offers plenty of controls. SEE ALSO: The Z 5 Is Nikon’s Least Expensive Full-Frame Mirrorless Yet There are a couple of changes for video use. The LCD is mounted on a vari-angle hinge, so it swings out to the side of the body to face forward for monitoring. The 1.44 million dot screen supports touch input, and Sony has (finally) redesigned its menu system to be navigable by touch and to split settings between still and video modes. An eye-level electronic viewfinder is also included. It’s an all-new design, with nearly twice the pixels as we’ve seen in other high-end cameras. The 9.44 dot viewfinder leverages its resolution and improved optics to deliver a large,0.9x magnification rating, rivaling medium format film cameras. I’ve not yet had a chance to see it in person, but the benefits of a bigger, sharper EVF are clear. You’ll get a better sense of your frame when setting up a shot, and it’s a boon for work with manual focus lenses. Locked Down or Handheld Versatility Cinematographers working on serious productions are likely to lock the a7S III down on a tripod and attach accessories—matte boxes, focus pulls, external monitors, and the like.
