The Sony A7 III comes with the autofocus of the A9 // Update: Pre-order possible
27.2.2018
Translation: machine translated
The Sony A7 II was slowly but surely due for an update. The A7 III is coming in April. Highlights: Top autofocus and good battery life.
Sony presented the new A7 III camera at the Mobile World Congress. Why at the Mobile World Congress? Isn't that the one with the smartphones? And aren't there already enough new launches, including from Sony itself? Never mind. For Dominik and Stephanie, our people at the MWC, the day only has 24 hours. I'll take over here.
The mirrorless A7 III is the successor to the ageing A7 II full-frame camera. There is also the A7S II and the A7R III, and you can still buy the A7R II new.
Don't let this confuse you. These three cameras have similar names but completely different areas of application. The A7R series offers the highest possible resolution. The A7S series, on the other hand, specialises in video. The resolution is relatively low because no more is needed for videos anyway, and because this enables a higher light sensitivity.
In terms of resolution, the A7 III with 24 megapixels is located between the A7R and A7S and is therefore designed as an all-rounder.
A few key data:
- Autofocus of the Sony A9 with 693 phase AF points and 425 contrast AF points
- Joystick for selecting the AF area
- 710 shots per battery according to CIPA standard
- Sensitivity 100-51,200 ISO
- Dynamic range of the sensor: 15 f-stops
- 10 fps with continuous focus tracking
- 5-axis image stabiliser
- Two SD card slots
- Moving touch screen
Of course, the autofocus, which was taken over from the top model Sony A9, should be emphasised. But also the battery life, normally a weakness of mirrorless cameras: according to Sony, it is currently the longest of all mirrorless cameras.
The sensor is now read out twice as fast as in the A7 II. Apparently, this means that the autofocus also works twice as fast in low light.
The camera will be available from April 2018 and the recommended retail price from Sony is 2599 francs without lens.
Update 2 March: You can now pre-order the camera from digitec. You pay the price that applies at the time of delivery.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
65 comments
later