Sony Alpha a7S III Black 2020
Capturing 4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 internally with 16-bit raw output, the 12.1MP full-frame sensor provides 15+ stops of dynamic range and stellar low-light sensitivity. The 759-point Fast Hybrid AF, 9.44M-dot EVF, and vari-angle touchscreen make handheld shooting and monitoring precise. This camera is best for video shooters and documentary filmmakers who prioritize 4K slow-motion and clean high-ISO performance over stills resolution.
Type mirrorless
Sensor 12.1MP full-frame
AF Points 759 pts
Burst 10 fps
Video 4K @120fps
IBIS Yes
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 614 g
91 Overall Score
Price €0
No listings available
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong battery (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong evf (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong build (96th percentile) 96th
Cons
- Below average sensor (7th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Owner sentiment has held steady over time
92/100Our AI sentiment read
Based on 13 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | CMOS |
| Size | full-frame |
| Megapixels | 12.1 MP |
| ISO Range | 80 |
| Processor | BIONZ XR |
Autofocus
| AF Points | 759 |
| AF Type | AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF) |
| Eye AF | Yes |
| Animal AF | No |
| Subject Detection | Yes |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 10 |
| Burst (Electronic) | 120 |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes |
Video
| Max Resolution | 4K |
| 4K FPS | 120 |
| 1080p FPS | 59 |
| 10-bit | Yes |
| Log Profile | Yes |
| RAW Video | Yes |
| Codec | H.264, H.265 |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 3" |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | Yes |
| EVF Resolution | 9.44 M dots |
Build
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| Battery Life | 1000 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| HDMI | full-size HDMI |
| Hot Shoe | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony Alpha a7S III | Nikon Z Z9 | Fujifilm X-H X-H2S | Panasonic Lumix S S5 II | Canon EOS R5 Mark II | OM System OM-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame | 45.7MP full-frame | 26.1MP aps-c | 24.2MP full-frame | 45MP full-frame | 20.4MP micro-four-thirds |
| AF Points | 759 | 493 | 425 | 779 | 5850 | 1053 |
| Burst FPS | 10 | 30 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 10 |
| Video | 4K @120fps | 8K @120fps | 6K @120fps | 6K @60fps | 8K @120fps | 4K @60fps |
| IBIS | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 614 | 1160 | 579 | 658 | 589 | 511 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | EVF | Build | Burst | Video | Sensor | Battery | Display | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha a7S III | 93.7 | 98.9 | 95.5 | 94.8 | 91.8 | 6.6 | 99 | 86.9 | 92.4 | 95.7 | 94.8 | 92.8 |
| Nikon Z Z9 Compare | 91.6 | 91.1 | 99.4 | 96.1 | 99.1 | 69.9 | 97.6 | 86.9 | 97.7 | 95.7 | 94.8 | 88.5 |
| Fujifilm X-H X-H2S Compare | 89.8 | 96.6 | 94.9 | 89.4 | 77.4 | 96.3 | 98.1 | 99.1 | 63.1 | 95.7 | 94.8 | 95.4 |
| Panasonic Lumix S S5 II Compare | 97.8 | 90.6 | 96.1 | 91.4 | 94.7 | 54.5 | 92.1 | 99.4 | 92.4 | 95.7 | 94.8 | 88.5 |
| Canon EOS R5 Mark II Compare | 99.8 | 97.7 | 85.6 | 91.4 | 99.1 | 69.1 | 90.8 | 86.9 | 0 | 95.7 | 86.5 | 99.6 |
| OM System OM-1 Compare | 95.1 | 97.7 | 85.1 | 94.8 | 85.8 | 47.4 | 95.4 | 86.9 | 92.4 | 89.5 | 89.5 | 88.5 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
