Sony's New Full-frame α7R III Interchangeable Lens Camera Combines 42.4 MP Resolution and Speed
Sony has added the α7R III (model ILCE-7RM3) to their full-frame mirrorless camera line-up, which combines a 42.4 MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with shooting speeds at up to 10 fps with full AF/AE tracking.
The camera supports 4K video quality, wide 15-stop dynamic range, high sensitivity with noise reduction of almost a full stop and more.
The 42.4MP high-resolution, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor utilises a gapless on-chip lens design and AR (anti-reflective) coating on the surface of the sensor's seal glass to improve light collection efficiency, resulting in high sensitivity with low-noise performance and wide dynamic range.
Sony's new α7R III also features a new front-end LSI that effectively doubles the readout speed of the image sensor, as well as an updated BIONZ X processing-engine that boosts processing speed by approximately 1.8 times compared to the α7R II. These components work together to allow the camera to shoot at faster speeds while also enabling its impressive ISO range of 100 - 32000 (expandable to ISO 50 - 102400 for still images) and 15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity settings.
This new full-frame model was built without an optical low pass filter to maximise resolution, while also having the ability to output 14 bit RAW format even when shooting in silent or continuous mode. The camera is equipped with a 5-axis optical image stabilisation system that has been fine-tuned to support its high-resolution shooting capacity, resulting in a 5.5 step shutter speed advantage. There is also a new low-vibration shutter that reduces vibration and image blur in all modes, including the high speed 10 fps shooting, as well as several advancements in accurate colour reproductions of skin tones.
The α7R III full-frame mirrorless camera is equipped with a refined image processing system that allows it to shoot full 42.4MP images at up to 10 fps with continuous, accurate AF/AE tracking for up to 76 JPEG / RAW images or 28 uncompressed RAW images. This high speed 10 fps mode is available with either a mechanical shutter or a completely silent shooting. The camera can also shoot continuously at up to 8 fps in live view mode with minimal lag in the viewfinder or LCD screen.
The upgraded focusing system of the α7R III is comprised of 399 focal-plane phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 68% of the image area in both the horizontal and vertical directions. There is also 425 contrast AF points, an increase of 400 points compared to the α7R II.
Additional improvements in focusing flexibility include AF availability in Focus Magnifier mode, focal-plane phase-detection AF support when using A-mount lenses, an 'AF On' button, a multi-selector or 'joystick' for moving focusing points quickly, touch focus functionality and much more.
The α7R III is offering 4K (3840x2160 pixels) video recording across the full width of the full-frame image sensor. When shooting in Super 35mm format, the camera uses full pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 5K of information, oversampling it to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.
A new HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) is available on the α7R III that supports an Instant HDR workflow, allowing HDR (HLG) compatible TV's. Further, both S-Log2 and S-Log3 are available for increased colour grading flexibility. The camera can also record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbps, allowing footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD resolution with AF tracking.
Sony's newest full-frame camera is equipped with dual media slots, with support in one slot for UHS-II type SD memory cards. Users have a variety of options for storing their content, including separate JPEG / RAW recording, separate still image / movie recording, relay recording and more. Battery life has been extended as well, as the new camera utilises Sony's Z series battery that have approximately 2.2 times the capacity of the W series battery utilised in the α7R II.
The α7R III features an upgraded high-resolution, high-luminance Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 3,686k dots. The Tru-Finder, also found in the Sony α9 camera, utilises a ZEISS T Coating to reduce reflections, and has a fluorine coating on the outer lens that repels dirt. It also has a customisable frame rate, with options of either 50 fps or 100 fps to best match the action. The LCD screen has been upgraded as well, with a resolution of 1.44M dots and WhiteMagic technology that improves viewing in bright, outdoor conditions.
The α7R III allows for transfer of files to a smartphone, tablet, computer or FTP server via Wi-Fi, while also including a sync terminal, enabling external flash units and cables to be connected directly for convenient flash sync. A SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.1 Gen 1) USB Type-C Terminal is also available.
The Sony α7R III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Camera will ship this November for about $3,200 US.
New G Master 400mm F2.8 Super-Telephoto Full-Frame E-mount Lens
Sony also today announced the development of the long-awaited FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Super-Telephoto lens, with a target launch date in Summer 2018.
The new lens will feature the high-resolution and beautiful bokeh of Sony's flagship G Master series lenses, while also offering a far-reaching 400mm focal length and F2.8 large aperture.