Sony A7SIII = $3500, 10-bit 4K120p internal, 16-bit 4K60p RAW out
- Thread starter ahalpert
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puredrifting
Major Contributor
Uh, ONLY phase detect AF? If so, that's a bit of a disappointment. The latest generation Sonys like the FX9 use a layered sensor with both phase detect and contrast based AF coming off of the same sensor.
Sony showed us a really cool slide at the FX9 training/press day and once you see how they have innovated with their latest sensors, it spoils you for sensors that can only use one AF system. Of course, this
is just a B&H sales video, it remains to be seen in the Sony presentation, if they implemented the dual layer AF in the A7 SIII. I hope they did, it's really impressive.
Full sized HDMI! That's something that automatically elevates the A7 SIII!
ahalpert
Major Contributor
It's hybrid. Specs are at b&h - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1577838-REG/sony_ilce7sm3_b_alpha_a7s_iii_mirrorless.html
ahalpert
Major Contributor
Looks like heat can be an issue, but probably not for me- "The camera's physical design also features an improved heat-dissipating structure to promote longer possible recording times, up to an approximate 60-minute recording time at 4K60p."
From newsshooter: "The official specification for recording video is 1-hour of 4K 60p. Sony states this isnt the limit just a battery limitation. They stated that it runs longer with external power with no overheating. The only limit is battery and media."
Does that mean the battery runs out? Or the battery overheats? Can one just pop in a new battery?
From newsshooter: "The official specification for recording video is 1-hour of 4K 60p. Sony states this isnt the limit just a battery limitation. They stated that it runs longer with external power with no overheating. The only limit is battery and media."
Does that mean the battery runs out? Or the battery overheats? Can one just pop in a new battery?
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Bassman2003
Veteran
I wonder if 1080p60 or the 4k24/30 modes will have any heat limitations? I doubt many folks need to film 4k60 nonstop for over an hour. I think that is a lot to ask from a hybrid body. Some guy posted on DPReview that he shot the S1H for 4 hours straight at a Hindu wedding in 4k. Can't remember the framerate but that thing seems like a tank.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
If you havent used them, I found Sony's Catalyst Browse and Catalyst Prepare to be so so.
They work, but just like Canon's utilities, nobody wants to or has time to use them in the high pressure world of client deadlines and insane post workflows.
We really must have full functionality of all of the post functions integrated into the Big four editing software.
ahalpert
Major Contributor
4k60p crop not so difficult for many cameras.
Newsshooter is vaguely indicating that it can shoot endlessly in 4k60
"Here is what Sony officially says:
The Alpha 7S III’s design has been updated to ensure effective heat dissipation and minimizes overheating — even during extended continuous recording sessions at 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 video lasting an hour or more(8)."
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Oh, he just didn't mention the hybrod AF. Cool.
Overall, I am pretty impressed with this camera, it shows Sony is actually listening to what their customers want and need rather than adding specs
as headline features, which in the real world, mean almost nothing.
The more that comes to light with the Canons, the more disappointed I am in them. They're not bad cameras by any means,
but just quite limited for many video uses. Great still cameras, but for video, relegated to mostly hobbyists or still shooters
who occasionally grab a shot.
OTOH, Sony knows that people who buy the A7 SIII are the opposite, video shooters who might occasionally shoot stills.
If I was hot for a new hybrid mirrorless, I would 100% buy the A7 SIII over the Canons and I am a Canon shooter. I can see
the iterative process Sony is going through with the A7 SIII, how they have improved menus, added full sized HDMI, hybrid AF,
S-Cinetone.
It's impressive these days when a large manufacturer actually listens and gives users exactly what they've been asking
for. Sony was never this way in the past, so it's impressive to see their culture change. Canon, OTOH, seems to have listened with the
C300 MKIII and C500 MKII, they truly innovated and gave the market what they wanted, but the R5/R6 seem like they went old school and
just offered what they thought would sell, and they hit the nail on the head for still shooters. But for video shooters, not so much.
FWIW, having three cameras that cannot shoot RAW and one that can, I don't think very many mirrorless users actually NEED RAW video.
They might WANT RAW video, but needing it and going through the weight, size, battery management, media monitoring on the recorder
hassle is a supreme PITA and it turns your svelte mirrorless into a large, clunky package the same size as an FS7 or C300 MKII. But at least
the choice is there for those masochists have convinced themselves they MUST have RAW. I like the internal RAW on the C200 because it's
effortless to use. Having to buy a third party recorder, drives, extra batteries, extra cables and junk hanging off of my camera, self-defeating
IMHO, especially since the internal is 10-bit 4:2:2, which is good enough for almost any application. But YMMV.
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puredrifting
Major Contributor
Do they just say "coming soon" or did B&H give you an actual window on when to expect it?
ahalpert
Major Contributor
"Apparently S-Cinetone which was introduced with the FX9, is sort of available on the a7S III, but it is isn’t actually called S-Cinetone. I will have to look into this more dor a definitive answer...
When shooting video with the a7S III you can also activate Active digital stabilization which uses a gyro sensor to record metadata. This metadata can then be used in post to correct images. this looks to be the same system that is used in the FX9."
When shooting video with the a7S III you can also activate Active digital stabilization which uses a gyro sensor to record metadata. This metadata can then be used in post to correct images. this looks to be the same system that is used in the FX9."
ahalpert
Major Contributor
"Delivery Estimate Pending
Sony Alpha a7S III Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only) SOA7S3
New Item - Coming Soon QTY: 1 Price: $3,498.00 $3,498.00
Your order will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis."
scorsesefan
Veteran
This is why I probably won't buy in. Great specs, but not a big fan of DSLR form factor...
ahalpert
Major Contributor
Design inertia? Economy of scale in production? Marketing deception?
The Sony Alpha Rumors pretty much scrambled together every review posted. So, let's give him credit for all the hard work.
https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/
And, the early reviews off the preproduction cameras are basically what I expected last night - solid, dependable, good in everything but not cutting edge, except for the low light performance. The AF is great too. No announcements on the external recorders so far.
https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/
And, the early reviews off the preproduction cameras are basically what I expected last night - solid, dependable, good in everything but not cutting edge, except for the low light performance. The AF is great too. No announcements on the external recorders so far.
Bassman2003
Veteran
That is what I think as well about the body design. For my uses, I would heavily consider this camera if it were 24MPX or less costly. I could live with the less light gathering if they could deal with the heat. The 12MPX takes it out of the running for a stills system, so that leaves the camera to compete against video only alternatives. The lenses are expensive, so the entire system cost needs to be factored in. If this was a stills candidate then that cost would not be an issue.
Overall I think they knocked it out of the park for its intended design. I agree with Dan, great to see the options we have wanted over the years.
Overall I think they knocked it out of the park for its intended design. I agree with Dan, great to see the options we have wanted over the years.