Hi Huneybees,
Sony has just officially launched its latest entry level full-frame mirrorless camera in α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) and I would like to share my take on this new camera, having the opportunity to try it out during the media session held earlier.
I'm happy for Sony for finally getting it right when it introduced multi-selector and AF-ON on
α7R III (aka Alpha 7 R3 or simply a7 RIII) and now the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III). Both features in my opinion should have been standard long ago as the multi-selector (aka the joystick or thumbstick) really allows the user to shift the focus point of the subject with ease before shooting while the AF-ON button allows the user to focus on a subject until he / she changes it. These features combine make the work flow of an event or wedding photographer so much efficient!
Equipped with a brand new full-frame 24.2MP Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor and an enhanced BIONZ X image processing engine, the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) is not just fast in data readout and processing, it also is more light sensitive with a wide ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 204,800 for still photos!
Sony has just officially launched its latest entry level full-frame mirrorless camera in α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) and I would like to share my take on this new camera, having the opportunity to try it out during the media session held earlier.
The Look
Not only does the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) shares the same form factor and almost identical in design to Sony's current flagship full frame mirrorless camera - α7R III (aka Alpha 7 R3 or simply a7 RIII) - it also inherit two features, which I feel are very useful for serious photographers. |
| The addition of multi-selector (aka the joystick or thumbstick) and AF-ON is great for photographer |
I'm happy for Sony for finally getting it right when it introduced multi-selector and AF-ON on
α7R III (aka Alpha 7 R3 or simply a7 RIII) and now the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III). Both features in my opinion should have been standard long ago as the multi-selector (aka the joystick or thumbstick) really allows the user to shift the focus point of the subject with ease before shooting while the AF-ON button allows the user to focus on a subject until he / she changes it. These features combine make the work flow of an event or wedding photographer so much efficient!
The performance
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| Testing Sony's α7 III's low light capability with FE24-70 f2.8 OSS lens |
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| Impressive Result of a cropped but unedited photo taken by α7 III at ISO 10,000, 1/250 f2.8 |
What this really means for user is the ability to shoot images at low light, hand held, supported by the 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization, with impressive result!!
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| Testing α7 III's fast hybrid AF system with its improved motion prediction algorithms inherited from α9 at continuous burst rate at 1/1250 f2.8 |
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| The class leading 693 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast AF points were at work on the model (the subject) while she was turning |
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| An impressive cropped but unedited photo of the model in focus, while she was turning around, taken from α7 III at continuous burst mode |
What set the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) over its more expensive cousin is definitely the fast hybrid Auto Focus. With 693 phase-detection AF points, 425 contrast AF points and the optimized motion prediction algorithms, both inherited from Sony's high-end Alpha 9 (α9) model, together with my favourite Eye AF in the AF Continuous mode, makes the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) every photographer's dream tool as it ensures reliable and accurate focus in just about any scene.
Packed with a big buffer that allows up to 177 shots in standard JPEG format and up to 89 shots in compressed RAW images or 40 shots in uncompressed form, plus the ability to shoot continuous up to 10fps (even in silent shutter mode) for up to 710 shots per battery charge using LCD or 610 shots using XGA OLED "Tru-Finder" EVF is simply awesome for any event or event sport photograpy!
What is even better is the fact that while the data is still writing to the memory card from the camera, after all the continuous shots, the user can still access (and often photographers do) to the menu and parameter to change setting!!
My Verdict
Through my crystal ball, I believe Sony is going to sell many of the new α7 III (aka Alpha 7 Mark 3 or simply a7 III) as, in my opinion, this full frame mirrorless camera is anything but entry level and is even better than its more expensive cousin α7R III. While the majority of the buyer would likely to be existing Sony upgraders (due to α7 III's great technology leap over earlier models), it would also attract those M4/3 users who are looking to improve photography through technology plus also people from the DSLR world (like myself) who don't mind shifting from traditional viewfinder to EVF or even LCD.
Great job Sony!
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