The Sony A7S III has been within the pipeline so lengthy we have since had five X-Men films, however Sony has now confirmed {that a} successor to the Sony Alpha A7S II is definitely coming quickly.
And really quickly too – Sony has introduced a launch occasion for the A7S III, which will likely be taking place on July 28 at 10am EDT / 3pm BST (or midnight AEST on July 29). The announcement confirms the brand new full-frame camera’s name and after we’ll see it make its public debut, however what precisely can we count on from the video-focused mirrorless shooter?
There are actually loads of rumors to go on, together with speak of a model new stacked sensor and thrilling viewfinder. And whereas we can’t know its specs for certain till that July 28 occasion, they do give us a style of what to anticipate from a camera that has a brand new rival within the form of the Canon EOS R5.
What precisely is the A7S series? The original Sony A7S arrived in 2014 with an unusually low-resolution 12MP sensor, which introduced comparatively large pixels and a wide ISO sensitivity that stretched all the best way from ISO 100-102,400 (expandable to 409,600).
It was rapidly adopted up by the Sony A7S II in 2015, however camera know-how has developed in leaps and bounds within the time since we branded that the camera the “best-video-shooting stills camera” you would purchase. The Panasonic GH5 and GH5S have since change into the weapons of selection for these seeking to shoot pro-quality video with a small mirrorless camera. And with the arrival of the formidable Canon EOS R5, plus rumors a few potential Panasonic GH6, there are actually loads of large video rivals for the A7S III.
Nonetheless, the reason why the A7S III is so anticipated is due to its predecessors delivered a particular mixture of a 12MP full-frame sensor and 4K video in a small package deal. If the A7S III can add trendy specs like 10-bit video, it must be extremely popular certainly. Here is every part we all know in regards to the A7S III to this point.
Sony Alpha A7S III: release date and price
- Official announcement confirmed for July 28
- This followed confirmation from a Sony exec about an A7S II successor
- Price tag is expected to be around $2,999/£2,849/AU$4,400
Sony has now confirmed an official launch event for the A7S III on Sony Alpha Universe.
The occasion will happen on July 28 at 10am EDT / 3pm BST (or midnight AEST on July 29). This adopted hypothesis from Sony Alpha Rumors that the Sony A7S III could be introduced on July 28 or July 29, with availability from mid-August.
As anticipated, the information additionally matches an announcement made by Kenji Tanaka, VP and Senior General Manager of Sony Imaging Business, throughout a current interview with DPReview. Within the interview he mentioned: “I can affirm {that a} successor to the Alpha 7S II will likely be coming, later this summer. Proper now, we’re targeted on the launch of the brand new camera, and it is going to be a whole redesign of the entire system, together with the picture sensor. All the pieces is new.”
We had initially hoped to see the A7S III last year, following comments from a Sony executive in August 2019 that Sony was nonetheless creating the S line. But it surely seems just like the camera is lastly able to arrive, simply weeks after the 8K-capable Canon EOS R5.
There have not but been any leaks round potential pricing for the A7S III, however we are able to speculate based mostly on the Alpha A7S II. Proper now, you possibly can choose up that camera for $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,600, which is fairly good worth contemplating is began nicely above that.
We reckon the A7S III is more likely to begin at around $3,000/£2,500/AU$4,500 at launch, which might be the identical as its predecessor’s launch value, or presumably barely extra given its rumored specs.
Sony A7S III: sensor
- Now rumored to have a 12MP sensor
- Stacked design with integral memory rumored
- Might possibly have a 61MP mode
Till just lately, the Sony A7S III was anticipated to have a 15.36MP back-illuminated sensor with Quad Bayer design, however the newest rumors recommend it is going to instead be a 12MP affair.
Whereas a slight decision enhance would have been welcome, the A7S III’s priority is video high quality and according to Sony Alpha Rumors the model new sensor is anticipated to convey different options like sooner readout speeds.
Additionally, a better decision is not needed for a primarily video-orientated camera, with the pay-off being bigger pixels for higher light-gathering capabilities.
In line with Sony Alpha Rumors, the A7S III will be capable of shoot Full HD at 240fps and 4K at 120fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 internally. You will additionally apparently be capable of get it to shoot 4K/120p Uncooked over HDMI.
These rumors seem to place an finish to options that Sony may attempt to push the decision as much as 6K or 8K. In any case, these would require sensor resolutions of 24MP and 33.1MP respectively.
On paper, this seems to place it a step behind the 8K-capable Canon EOS R5 and the 6K-capable Panasonic Lumix S1H, but it surely’s potential Sony merely did not suppose it was needed in 2020 and has as a substitute seemed to refine the A7S III’s 4K powers.
Sony A7S III: video features
- Anticipate to see DCI 4K capture at 60p
- 4:2:2 10-bit inside recording
- 30min restriction lifted
Early rumors had the A7S III able to taking pictures 4K video at as much as 120fps, and that is been backed up by newer hypothesis. If true, then it is twice the frame-rate we had been initially anticipating and twice the speed the Panasonic’s S1H is presently able to.
We’re additionally anticipating to see the A7S III record 4:2:2 10-bit internally as nicely. This was backed up by a comment in a DPReview interview from Kenji Tanaka, VP and Senior Common Supervisor of Sony Imaging Enterprise, the place he revealed that essentially the most requested options from A7S II homeowners had been 4K/60p and 10-bit 4:2:2.
Presently, the Sony A7S II can report UHD 4K video (not DCI 4K, which is barely wider at 4,096 x 2,160 pixels), whereas it may solely do that as much as 30p. The A7S II can be solely able to 4:2:Zero 8-bit recording at 100Mbps internally (although it may report externally at 4:2:2 8-bit), whereas the likes of the Panasonic Lumix GH5S is ready to report at 4:2:2 10-bit at as much as 400Mbps.
Maybe essentially the most vital current rumor, once more picked up by Sony Alpha Rumors, is that the Sony A7S III apparently will not have any time recording limits in any video modes. If that is true, it will give Sony’s camera a potential edge over the Canon EOS R5, which is restricted to 30 minutes when recording 4K. That mentioned, the latter can handle 8K/30p Raw shooting for as much as 20 minutes, earlier than overheating turns into a difficulty.
Apparently, in response to an earlier Sony Alpha Rumorsstory, Sony has been finalizing a brand new H.265-based skilled codec. Generally known as XEVC, and a successor of XAVC, the brand new codec is rumored to incorporate 12-bit 4K and 12-bit 8K 4:4:Four capabilities, whereas 1080p Full HD may be captured at 240fps and 10-bit.
Sony A7S III: design
- Probably to use similar design to Sony A7R IV
- Addition of a multi-selector joystick
- Attainable cooling vent on the rear
Latest rumors have urged that the upcoming video camera could have an analogous design to the Sony A7R IV, solely with a brand new, absolutely articulating screen just like the one seen on the Sony ZV-1.
This could imply the A7S III’s physique is more likely to be a bit of thicker than its predecessor, maybe to slot in a cooling vent, which Sony Alpha Rumors has urged will likely be included in an analogous vein to the Panasonic S1H.
If that is true, there’ll possible be a fan near the sensor which pulls cool air from vents on one aspect of the physique and pushes the nice and cozy air out the opposite aspect. This could be vital, as a result of Canon just lately issued a press release that defended the recording limits of each the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6, that are partly a results of its choice not to embody a cooling fan.
Aside from a wider physique, although, the A7S III is more likely to have rather a lot in frequent with the Sony A7R IV and Sony A7 III, which implies it will achieve the identical refinements we have seen in these two fashions. This contains the addition of a multi-selector joystick that vastly improves the dealing with of the camera, with AF level choice that a lot faster to assign.
One other bit of fine information is the potential arrival of a devoted AF-On button on the rear of the Alpha A7S III, making back-button focusing a lot simpler.
This implies it is potential to shoot waist-level images with out the feed slicing out and relatively unhelpfully swapping to the EVF. Anticipate to see a predominantly magnesium building, however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the again panel of the A7S III is cast from magnesium just like the A7R IV, or Sony opts for plastic just like the A7 III instead.
One other rumor making the rounds is in regards to the A7S III’s reminiscence card slots. There’ll reportedly be two however the attention-grabbing bit is that they are rumored to help each normal UHS-II SD playing cards as well as… anticipate it, a CFexpress Sort A format that’s now even in the stores but.
Every slot is rumored to have the ability to help each codecs (due to their comparable sizes) though you will not be capable of report to each concurrently in case you’re utilizing considered one of every card. This can be a daring and good transfer from Sony if the rumor seems to be true as Sort A CFexpress playing cards could be extra inexpensive than the present Sort B CFexpress playing cards out there available on the market as they’ve slower switch speeds. Nevertheless, when CFexpress Sort A playing cards will change into out there continues to be a query mark.
Sony A7S III: viewfinder and rear show
- World’s highest-resolution EVF anticipated
- Enhance in magnification to 0.78x
- Touchscreen control on rear display
An exciting and surprising new rumor in regards to the Sony A7S III is that it is going to be considerably ramping up the decision of its digital viewfinder (EVF). In line with Sony Alpha Rumors, it may have a 9.44-million dot EVF, which might make it the world’s highest-resolution ‘finder.
That may be an enormous bounce from the three.Eight million-dot EVF of the Sony A7R IV. As we have seen with different just lately introduced Sony cameras, the rear 3.0-inch tilt-angle show is more likely to supply touchscreen management, which ought to make each taking pictures and reviewing photographs and pictures that a lot simpler.
Sony A7S III early thoughts
After years of hypothesis and rumors, it is nice to lastly see the Sony A7S III (or not less than a successor to the A7S II) formally confirmed by Sony.
With such fierce competitors already on the market from Panasonic and on the horizon from Canon, it was beginning to really feel like a now-or-never moment for this video-focused full-frame camera.
Videographers will likely be significantly excited in regards to the prospect of seeing the A7S III’s low gentle efficiency married to trendy abilities like Sony’s newest autofocus, new codecs and presumably the world’s highest-resolution EVF.
All we want now’s for Sony to substantiate its much-anticipated specs – we’ll hear about these at its confirmed occasion on July 28, which we’ll be reporting from.