The Sony A7R III boasts the same massive resolution as its predecessor with updates to controls and autofocus
Update: In September 2019 Sony realesed the newer A7R IV
The new Sony A7R III, announced today, takes the high-resolution 42.4MP Exmor R CMOS image sensor and gives it a speed boost. A new front-end LSI effectively doubles the readout speed of the image sensor, while an updated Bionz X processing engine promises speeds 1.8 times as fast as the A7R II.
Given that it’s also capable of shooting at 10fps with AF tracking, carries an ISO range of 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400) and offers a 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity settings, the A7R III should be useful in all situations and in all shooting conditions. If you’re in live view mode, the camera can still manage an impressive 8fps.
Eschewing a low-pass filter in favour of heightened image quality, the A7R III can also output 14-bit RAW format even when shooting in silent or continuous mode, and it carries a 5-axis optical image stabilisation system which Sony claims can provide a 5.5-step shutter-speed advantage.
The focusing system has been overhauled from the A7R II, with 399 focal-plane phase-detection AF points covering approximately 68% of the image area, complemented by 400 contrast AF points. This advanced system is expected to deliver AF acquisition that’s twice as fast as it was on the A7R II in low-light conditions, and with tracking that’s twice as accurate.
There have also been a few control overhauls, including a new multi-selector joystick for quickly shifting focus points.
A new Pixel Shift Shooting Mode has been added, utilising the 5-axis optical in-body stabilisation to create high-resolution composite images.
Video hasn’t been neglected – the A7R III shootings 4K (3840x2160 pixels) video recording across the full width of the image sensor, and uses full pixel readout without pixel binning in Super 35mm format to produce oversampled 4K footage. There’s a new Hybrid Log-Gamma supporting instant HDR footage, and S-Log2 and S-Log3 have been added. The camera also records super-slow-motion at 120fps.
One nice addition to the A7R II is dual card slots, one of which supports UHS-II type SD memory cards.
The viewfinder has also been upgraded to a high-luminance Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 3,686k dots of resolution. It’s the same viewfinder as was found in the Sony A9. The LCD has been upgraded too, with 1.44million dots of resolution and WhiteMagic technology that makes it easier to see in bright conditions.
The A7R II is fully connected, with Wi-Fi. Sony has debuted a new Imaging Edge software to extend the user’s control over the whole shooting process.
Order the Sony A7R III now. UK price is at £3,199.
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