Everything else aside, the Sony a7S III’s recording options alone place it in contention for many potential buyers wanting high-quality video at a price that enthusiasts and budding pros can still justify. In this hands-on review I look at the a7S III in the context of capturing wildlife video and photos.
By now some readers can probably recite the user manual for the Sony a7S III with how much coverage it has received. I won’t bore you with repeating everything here, but if you do need a refresher on what the a7S III is all about, check out my news article that was published at the time of its introduction. Below is a quick summary of what I liked and didn’t like while using the camera for period of two weeks, much of which I talk about at length in the video above.
What I Like
- Recording options
- Touch tracking
- Raised maximum ISO for acceptable results in photos
- Customizable video record button
- Auto ISO displays actual value
- New “AF Frame Move Amt” option of Large
- Recall Custom Hold is snappier
- Lightweight and compact size
- Robust hinge doors for left-side ports, memory card door is improved with double-slide lock
- Price
What I Don’t Like
- No Super 35 in 4K and no Super 35 in FHD 240p
- Issues with “Spot: Small” focus area for photography
- Flip out screen
- Small LCD screen for manually focusing video
- Files can be a pain to work with
- Lack of exposure or color monitoring options like waveforms
- No touchscreen record start/stop button
- Exposure compensation dial durability
- No anti-fog coating for EVF or LCD
Check out the video above for further explanation and plenty of sample video to comb through. The Sony a7S III is priced at $3,498 and available to order now.
