Sony a7S III Gets Gold Award at DPReview (91% Overall Score)

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DPReview published their Sony a7S III mirrorless camera review and test results: the new Sony a7S III camera gets an impressive 91% overall score and Gold Award from the experts at DPReview.

Sony a7S III Key Features:

  • 12MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K 120p Video, 10-Bit 4:2:2 Internal
  • 16-Bit Raw Output, HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
  • 759-Point Fast Hybrid AF
  • 9.44m-Dot QXGA OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.44m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Extended ISO 40-409600, 10 fps Shooting
  • Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots

What we like:

  • Excellent full-frame 4K footage at up to 60p
  • Only slight crop to 4K/120 mode
  • Excellent oversampled 1080 footage
  • 10-bit capture in H.265, H.264 or All-I H.264 gives workflow and grading flexibility
  • Log, HLG or Raw output options
  • Solid battery life
  • Choice of memory card format with most video recordable to SD or CFe
  • Nice viewfinder
  • Much-improved user interface
  • Option for HLG HDR photos using 10-bit HEIF format
  • Image stabilization, usable AF and good battery provides run-and-gun capabilities
  • Comfortable ergonomics
  • Full-sized HDMI socket

What we don’t:

  • No out-of-camera DCI footage
  • Missing tools such as waveform display or shutter angle control
  • Video AF not quite effective as stills system and requires the screen to be tapped
  • 12MP stills appear low res, even at reduced sizes, compared with most modern cameras
  • Rear LCD isn’t especially detailed

Conclusion from DPReview:

The Sony a7S III is a powerful video tool that can shoot 4K footage at up to 120p (up to 60p with no crop), in a variety of 10-bit formats to provide plenty of flexibility in terms of both grading and workflow. It has dependable autofocus, in-body stabilization and good battery life to boost its run-and-gun credentials. Its 12MP resolution means it’s less impressive as a stills camera but it’s a hugely powerful choice for independent video producers.

Sony a7S III: $3,498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Read more: Best Lenses for Sony a7S III and Best Memory Cards for Sony a7S III.