The 35mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS image sensor features 42.4-megapixel1 resolution, back illumination and gapless on-chip lens design for extraordinary sensitivity and dynamic range, anti-reflection (AR) coating on sensor seal glass, and other innovations that unleash the sensor's power to make images look realistic.

The latest front-end LSI makes data readout from the image sensor approximately two times faster and the BIONZ X image processor is now about 1.8 times faster than previous models. Enhanced image processing realizes lower noise and further extended dynamic range across a wide sensitivity range of up to ISO 32000 (standard ISO, expandable to ISO 50-102400 for stills). Moreover, upgraded Detail Reproduction and Area-specific Noise Reduction achieves noise reduction — equivalent of approx. one stop — in mid-range ISO settings. Also, reproduction of skin color has been dramatically improved, which is advantageous for portrait shooting. The a7R III also supports 14-bit RAW output even during silent shooting/continuous shooting.

An evolved image processing system and a9 camera. AF algorithms optimized for the a7R III improve AF speed, precision, and tracking performance. 399 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points provide high-density wide-area coverage. Up to approximately two times faster AF speed and two times more precise AF tracking performance let you capture and maintain focus on nimble wildlife in unpredictable motion. The a7R III also autofocuses reliably down to EV-3 brightness.

Eye AF9 enhanced precision, plus two times greater AF speed and AF tracking performance further assist you to easily shoot a portrait of a moving subject using AF-C even during continuous shooting, and even if the subject looks down and away from the camera, or is backlit with face in partial darkness. The a7R III's E-mount body supports Eye AF for A-mount lenses mounted via an adaptor.

Phase-detection AF can operate even when an A-mount lens is mounted to the a7R III via an LA-EA5 adaptor that doesn't include a dedicated phase detection AF sensor. The 399-point focal-plane phase-detection AF system provides wide-area coverage, fast response, and high-performance tracking whether an A-mount or E-mount lens is attached.

With new shutter unit and image processing system refinements, the a7R III can shoot continuously at up to 10fps2 with AF/AE tracking (up to 8fps with minimal display lag in live-view continuous shooting mode) for easy, stable shooting of even intensely active subjects. An electronic shutter allows silent, vibration-free shooting of wildlife when even slight noise can mean missing an ideal shot.

Greater buffer memory, system speed, and UHS-II support allow the a7R III to capture up to approx. 28 uncompressed RAW, or 76 compressed RAW or JPEG images, in a continuous burst at 10fps2. Fn menu/menu display access, setting changes and review playback can occur during data writing. A countdown of the number of still images remaining to be written to memory is on display during playback.

The AF-ON button activates autofocus without any half-press-shutter-button focus sequence, so you can concentrate better on exactly when to release the shutter and capture the moment instantly. A multi-selector lets you shift the point of focus quickly and efficiently. You can select and shift the point of focus intuitively, so you won't miss great chances to shoot moving subjects.

 

Flicker from fluorescent and other artificial lighting is automatically detected and shutter action is timed to minimize the flicker's effect on still images. This suppresses exposure and color anomalies at the top and bottom of images shot at high shutter speeds, as well as exposure and color inconsistency between continuous shots, so you can take images indoors with more confidence.

Now more effective than ever for the a series, this comprehensive system compensates for five types of camera shake that tend to blur images: pitch/yaw shake when shooting at longer focal lengths; X/Y shake in close-up (including macro) shooting; and roll shake when recording stills at night and movies. It effectively achieves 5.5-stop-faster shutter speed6, so the a7R III can take full advantage of its 42.4-megapixel1 and live-view image performance. Furthermore, it functions with A-mount lenses attached via mount adaptor, as well as E-mount lenses.

Applying mechanisms and control technology of image stabilization, this new feature composites four separate pixel-shifted images that contain total data equal to approx. 169.6 million, or 42.4 million x 4 (RGGB7), pixels to reproduce a single optimal still image of super-high resolution, detailed texture, balanced color, and realistic atmosphere, with minimal moiré and color artifacts. Images shot using this feature can be processed with the new Sony imaging software suite. [1] The image sensor is moved in 1-pixel increments while shooting four sequential frames. [2] Each pixel represents R, G, and B information.  

A 1200-segment live-view exposure analysis makes color analysis and metering precise. Focus information from the lens keeps AE control and image brightness consistent even when subject position or background brightness changes. Highlight and Entire Screen Average metering modes now join the a7R III's Multi, Center, and Spot metering modes. When the Focus Area parameter is set to Flexible Spot or Expand Flexible Spot, the metering spot can be linked to the focus area.

This camera provides two media slots for SD card (UHS-II-compatible for fast data writing) and SD/MS card, respectively. Two cards in the slots can be used to simultaneously record or relay record data, separate RAW data from JPEG data, or stills from movies, and copy data from one card to the other. The memory card cover is lockable to prevent it from being opened unintentionally.

This approximately 3.69-million-dot Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder provides accurate detail, contrast, and black reproduction, while maintaining natural image brightness. High-quality mode, suitable for fine focus adjustment, takes full advantage of rich image data from the image sensor to display more natural high-precision images with minimal moiré and jaggedness, so you can concentrate more on shooting. Furthermore, you can choose 120/100fps from the selection of frame rates for the viewfinder to make motion look particularly smooth. Only an EVF such as this one could offer features such as a powerfully enhanced focus magnifier that allows autofocus while a chosen focus area is magnified in the viewfinder.

A 3” (3.0-type) TFT LCD touch screen with 2.35 million dots makes focus operation intuitive and instant. You can simply touch the monitor screen to specify a desired focus point with Touch Focus. Also, the Touch Pad function lets you drag the focus frame to another point with a fingertip on the LCD screen as you monitor the shot through the viewfinder. 

For extended periods of confident shooting, the NP-FZ100 battery has approximately 2.2 times the capacity of a NP-FW50 battery, and an optional VG-C3EM Vertical Grip can hold two batteries. USB Type-C and Multi/Micro USB ports allow external mobile batteries to power the camera for extended recording. Even more conveniently, accessories such as a remote control unit can be used via Multi/Micro USB port while power is supplied via USB Type-C port.

The a7R III functions reliably in challenging environments. Its body is fortified by lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy top cover, front cover, internal frame, and rear cover. The number of lens mount screws has been increased to six for enhanced durability. Major buttons and dials are sealed. Sealing is provided throughout the body to minimize entry of dust and moisture.

A USB Type-C port supporting fast USB 3.1 Gen 1 facilitates high-speed PC Remote transfer of large RAW data files, so you can quickly review images on a PC and continue shooting without delay. Also, a setting to transfer only JPEG files to PC lets you check images via PC even more quickly after continuous shooting because the camera doesn't have to send big volumes of RAW data.

The a7R III has new sync terminals, so non-dedicated flash units and cables with standard sync terminals can be connected for convenient synchronization with studio flash units, etc. Release time lag when shooting with flash is minimized for smooth, responsive flash photography. Continuous flash shooting at up to 10fps offers advanced capture capability. To enhance versatility further, slow sync and rear curtain sync can be selected when shooting with wireless off-camera flash.

The camera can be paired with Imaging Edge Mobile installed on a compatible mobile phone or tablet device to acquire location data, record it on still images, and correct camera date/time and location settings.

Ratings from 1 to 5 stars can be applied to still images and maintained as the images are imported into PlayMemories Home or the new Sony imaging software suite running on a PC. This function and a protect function to prevent accidental image deletion can each be assigned to a custom button (C3 by default for protect). Ratings and protection can be applied via review playback display and continuous groups can be reviewed, protected, and deleted while you're on location or traveling.

My Menu now lets you register and arrange up to 30 menu items in order of frequency of use for instant recall. Camera setups can be registered (up to three in the camera and four on a memory card) for quick access via mode dial. Up to 83 functions can be assigned to 11 custom keys, and even sets of customized functions can be assigned for stills, movies, and playback. Recall Custom Setting During Hold function is convenient for temporary recall of shooting settings assigned to custom buttons while such a button is held.

For high-resolution 4K movies with minimal moiré and jaggies, Super 35 mm mode with full-pixel readout without pixel binning condenses approximately 1.8 times the amount of data required for 4K movies (QFHD: 3840 x 2160). Advanced image processing makes it possible to record full-frame 4K movies with dramatically improved image quality in the mid-to-high ISO range, so you make the most of the 4K movie format's unique potential in every shot.

Supporting a wide range of HDR movie production needs, the a7R III offers S-Log3, as well as S-Log2 gamma curves for more flexibility to express images through grading operation in post-production, and a new HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile for instant HDR workflow. Recorded movies played back on an HDR (HLG) compatible TV need no color grading to appear true-to-life, with no blocked shadows or blown highlights. [1] High flexibility to fine-tune images as desired (Color grading required) [2] Instant and high-quality image (Color grading not required)  

An efficient combination of focal-plane phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF accurately locks onto quickly moving subjects, then tracks them smoothly. AF coverage for movies extends across an area almost as wide as the AF coverage area for still images, so once the high-density AF system locks onto a movie subject, the camera continues to track it steadily and tenaciously.

The a7R III provides a wide array of functions to facilitate workflows of professional videographers, including clean HDMI output, time code / user bits (TC/UB), rec. control, marker display/setting, zebra function, Slow and Quick Motion10, simultaneous proxy movie recording, extraction of a still from a movie, and Gamma Display Assist function, among others.

One-touch remote can turn a smartphone or tablet into a viewfinder/remote control. One-touch sharing transfers photos/videos to your device for social network site (SNS) sharing. Just install an Imaging Edge Mobile app via Wi-Fi to your NFC-enabled Android device, and then touch the device to the camera to connect them. If you don’t have NFC, use QR code compatibility to pair the devices.

Elevate your photography with Imaging Edge desktop applications. Use "Remote" to control and monitor shooting live on your PC screen; "Viewer" to quickly preview, rate, and select photos from large image libraries; and "Edit" to develop RAW data into high-quality photos for delivery. Get the best from Sony RAW files, and manage your productions more efficiently. The Pixel Shift Multi Shooting feature can also be used while the camera and PC are tethered, and the pixel-shifted images can be immediately composited and viewed.