Sony Alpha a7R III Review
Mirrorless Digital Camera
- 42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- 3.69m-Dot Tru-Finder OLED EVF
- Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual SD Slots
- 399-Point AF System & 10 fps Shooting
- ISO 102400 & Pixel Shift Multi Shooting
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port & PC Sync Port
- BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
- 3.0" 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 16,721 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Sony Alpha a7R III. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Sony Alpha a7R III. For example, 78% of 541 users who have commented on the Touch Screen of the Sony Alpha a7R III have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 21 to 40 of 343 Reviews
Fixes major issues with A7R2 and finally replace Nikon DSLR
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Hien on B&H Photo Video
I shoot as a hobby now but have second-shot weddings and events previously.I preordered the A7R2 when it was originally announced, hoping that it could replace my trusty Nikon D800. While the A7R2 was ground-breaking, it had a lot of very serious issues that prevented it from being used as my primary camera for events. Simple things like having a joystick to move the focus point around easily were missing. It seemed like Sony just didn't really have professionals advising them on the camera interface. The ergonomics and handling of the A7R2 never felt comfortable enough to be a "real pro" body for me, so I stuck with the D800 when I absolutely needed to get the shot. The A7R2 was a good second body for less critical moments. With the A7R3, however, Sony has addressed just about all of my previous complaints about the A7R2 that made it inappropriate for professional use: * Joystick to move focus point quickly (and now with the touchscreen that works well for focus selection.) * Eye AF on the A7R2 was a good start, but it was not consistent enough to be reliable. At this point, Eye AF on the A7R3 is rock-solid and I am comfortable it would do as good or better than I would using manual focus selection on the D800 shooting wide open at f/1.4 for portraits. * Focus tracking in the A7R2 was also too inconsistent to be relied upon. Now with the A7R3, tracking is also spot on. * Battery life was atrocious on the A7R2 (I always used the grip plus had another 3 or 4 batteries in my bag), that's move than fixed now. * The A7R2 only had a single memory slot, so you couldn't use it as the 'A' camera for events. Now with two slots on the A7R3 that's no longer an issue. * 10 fps shooting, minimal shutter blackout (especially if you use the "slower" 8 fps mode) and massive buffer size on the A7R3 make this camera a no-brainer now for events. * Sensor stabilization performance has noticeably improved for hand-held video use. Although the A7R2 had stabilization, it wasn't entirely useful for video use as minor movements were not smoothed out enough. So, if you were like me and bought the A7R2 and asked yourself if the A7R3 is a worthwhile upgrade, the answer likely is "yes" if you had issues with the A7R2's focusing and ergonomics. The image quality itself won't improve dramatically; but your ability to better capture the images themselves, without the camera getting in the way will markedly improve. ... More
Ready for Prime Time
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Rolf on B&H Photo Video
I have owned both of this camera's predecessors, the A7r, and the A7rii. The A7r was good but glitchy with a poor selection of lenses. The A7rii dealt with most glitches and more good lenses became available. The A7rii was a major upgrade. The A7riii is an evolutionary upgrade that includes more effective IBIS, two card slots (one fast), a decent battery, and etc. For my purposes the camera is complete. I am an outside, daylight, non people photographer who uses prime lenses. I am an old guy whose first camera was a Leitz IIIg. I have owned most all Leitz gear produced since the late 50's. I do not shoot video, The A7riii has a menu that is 90% irrelevant to me. I shoot it in aperture preferred mode raw always. I find that the output of this camera is superb for a person that is resolution obsessed. I use DXO Photolab to process my work as I am starting to prefer it to Lightroom. For me, the quality of the output of this camera is such that I'm willing to forego the joy of a Leitz rangefinder. There was a time that no lens manufacturer challenged Leitz but, IMO that has changed. My kit with this camera consists of a 25mm Zeiss Batis, a 35mm Zeiss Loxia, a 65mm Voigtlander, and a 90mm Sony Macro. The availability of great lenses makes this camera an exceptional base for a comprehensive system. I prefer native mounts. This camera is smaller than a Nikon D850 (a great camera) and size is important to me. If one wants a small footprint high resolution camera and one is willing to invest in some good lenses, the A7riii is a good choice. ... More
Love this camera - Glad I switched to Sony from Canon.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Chirasak on B&H Photo Video
The images on my Sony a7R iii with Sony lenses are as sharp as my old Canon 5DS R with Canon lenses. At the beginning I was worried about learning the Sony menu system, but It did not take as long as I thought. It only took a few days. The 399 auto focus points work great! I love the Eye auto focus. It really works! I am mainly a landscape and wildlife photographer and the 42 MP at 10 fps is exactly what I need. With Canon, I had to have two cameras, a 5DS R and 7DMK 2 to cover both these needs. The Sony fills both my needs in one camera. I am really happy that I traded in all my Canon equipment for the Sony. The two photos attached are from the first trip with my new Sony a7R iii. ... More
Great all round camera but so so for sports
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Carl on B&H Photo Video
I am a college sports photographer and wanted to get a new camera to replace an older Nikon DSLR while also having something to use for general purpose travel photography/video. I thought it was time to jump on the mirrorless bandwagon so the A7RIII was acquired (I bought it with the 70-200 2.8). I did think of the A9 but went for the A7RIII as it has better video options over the A9. As a sports camera I would say the A7RIII is 70% there - the issue for me with the A7RIII is its autofocus. When the A7RIII does lock on focus its great, but I am just not getting the same percentage of keepers that I got from my Nikon's (D500 and D4S) sadly. I have tried a number of different focus modes across many sports events but none have matched what my Nikons gave me. Too often I go to click and the camera just doesn't grab focus resulting in missed shots. Compared to the Nikon D500 (which it was intended to replace), its just not there yet. I do not have big hands but the camera is also a bit small by itself and I really need the added grip to get that better feel when shooting. I am not sure I like the EVF either. Maybe I have grown too used to the optical view you get from a mirrored camera. Its a TV in a viewfinder and the color is just not what you get when you look through an optical viewfinder (it looks very false). While this might be fine for general purpose, I am not digging it for sports. The A7RIII menu system is cumbersome and not so intuitive - thankfully it has a "My Menu" option so I have started to stack some menu options there to make it easier to find things when I need them. Also, while the Nikon had a number of dials on top of the physical camera to change settings, you do not have that same luxury with the A7RIII so changing some settings need to be done through the menus which slows down your workflow. Thats not so good for sports where you need quick access to accommodate changes that happen in the game. Now as a general purpose camera, the A7RIII takes stellar photos. Crisp, clean and amazing quality. The file sizes are big so you need some large SD cards to accommodate that. I am still learning this camera and I am hoping it will get better for me. I am going to stick with it and keep using it for sports but at the moment its relegated as my third camera given its issues with autofocus. ... More
Amazing camera!
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Ivan on B&H Photo Video
* AF speed and tracking are incredibly impressive - compering to A7R II * Impressive Eye AF * Battery life is just amazing :) * The buttons and dials all feel great, no loose control dials or mushy buttons like on a A7R II * Image quality * Finally a joystick LOVE IT!
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High-End Video & Photo in 1 Body (Video Review Link Here)
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Alejandro on B&H Photo Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuZL3UxBUSs&feature=youtu.be Hey guys this is Alejandro Orchilles from Aon Prestige Media and today I will be doing a brief review of the Sony a7RIII. Let me begin by saying that as a cinematographer AND photographer, I think that the a7RIIIdelivers unbeatable quality at its price point. This has quickly become my favorite professional full frame mirrorless camera for shooting photo and video. I previously had an a7RII and I highly recommend the upgrade. This camera has a 42 megapixel sensor, similar to it's predecessor, the a7RII, but it comes with an updated processor. This new processor makes the camera much more responsive. It seems like you're going from an iPhone 5 to an iPhone X. The combination of the sensor and the new processor allow you to capture a whopping 10 frames per second. It has one more stop of dynamic range, which is not all that noticeable from the RII. It has sLog2, sLog3, HDR, and a 5.5 stop internal stabilization system. I'm not sure if my old a7RII's stabilizer was malfunctioning or not, but this new stabilization system seems to work way better. My hands normally shake and I have noticed a huge difference while filming handheld. The autofocus system is significantly faster and more responsive in daylight as well as in low-light environments. The EVF now has about 30% more pixels, making it look much better than the previous model. The 3" screen also looks a lot better than the previous one. They are now much brighter so when shooting outside in the sun, you will be able to see both easier than the previous version's. The battery is much bigger than the previous versions. It lasts about... ALL DAY LONG. That being said, you really don't need to have a bag full of batteries anymore like in the previous Sony Alpha versions. Since the battery is bigger, the grip is slightly larger and feels better in your hands. Don't get me wrong, it isn't DSL-R sized but it is a larger mirrorless. The buttons all feel much, much better than before and the record button is finally placed in the right location. It does take a little to get used to, coming from four years of the previous layout, but once you get used to it. It feels right. Although Sony removed the Playmemories application, there is still a way to do 1fps and 2fps time lapses via the S&Q option. Within this option you can also use the slow-motion features, which are 120fps brought down to 24fps or 30fps. The only downside in my book is the fact that the Sony a7RIII does not have 4K at 60fps. If only Sony were reading this review and happened to add it to a new firmware update... ... More
As a Camera it is great.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Avrum on B&H Photo Video
As a Camera the A7Riii is great, but the networking bluetooth and tethering functions leave much to be desired. I have yet to get any of these to work consistently (it's an on and off thing sometimes they are fine others frustrating) There has been some criticism that the menu system is hard to use. Indeed sometimes I feel that I need a PHD to follow it. However, the camera has so many features that a large complex menu system is necessary. The organization is not that bad. I have been able to find everything I need. Just about every button and dial on the camera is programable. So you can customize it to work with your sooting style. You can also save various versions of the settings for different shooting situations. The focusing is as quick and accurate as any I have used. The animal eye focus does leave much to be desired, but using tried and true techniques it is difficult to miss a shot due to the focusing. In camera stabilization is fabulous. coupled with a lens that has it's own stabilization makes camera shake a thing of the past. These 70 year old hands have held a 3 lb 400mm lens sooting a 1/100 and produce no noticeable blur. The color reproduction of the sensor is flawless although auto white balance tends to sometimes make the sho a bit warm for my taste. But, I think the average photographer would be pleased with the result. The this camera is great for most of my shooting (wild animals, zoo animals, etc.). ... More
Homerun!
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Rocco on B&H Photo Video
I was a Canon user for many years (5d Mark ii, 5d Mark III) ... I started with the A7r, then got the A7r ii and now finally the A7r iii. As everyone is probably aware, the A7r ii was/is a great camera but still lacked usability and focus speed... things were missing! I had to continue to use the 5d Mark III for sports or critical applications where focus was a must. I'm happy to report--finally! The Sony A7r iii is a camera where you CAN have it all! Amazing IQ, Good handling, good usability, superb speed with suprising super fast autofocus! Sony listened to the complaints we had with each iteration of the A7r series and here we are today with an evolved and polished product. I am also happy to report adapting Canon lenses with the Metabones IV is much better than on the A7R II and eye focus works! Don't expect to use telephoto Canon lenses well with A7r III, but it seems most Canon lenses less than 135mm work very well now. The Sony 24-70GM lens works like a dream with the A7R III. I'm not telling a lie with the fact that the A7r III focuses well faster than the Canon 5d Mark iii now... and you get much more benefits like eye focus, EVF, much higher resolution, etc. Another big plus is the ability to customize the menus more effectively now... it will take you a little time to do that, but once you do, you will fall in love with how *you* want to use the camera! Full frame video is now also much cleaner than it was on the A7R ii. One could argue you probably don't need a speed booster now. I'll write some more once I get a chance to use this some more, but if you are considering this camera...don't hesitate....it's absolutely awesome! :) ... More
All Youve Heard is True!
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Lennis on B&H Photo Video
In the wake of universally enthusiastic reviews over the past couple of years, it will come as no surprise that I found this Sony camera to be everything I had heard and everything I had hoped for. All the positives that have been said regarding this camera are true (and probably understated!) The few complaints lodged against it are, for the most part, irrelevant. For example, some have complained that the Sony menu system is too complicated. Actually, taking just a few moments of getting under the hood to understand the logic behind the system, will show that the menu is not only not overly complicated, it is fundamentally simple and elegant in light of the wide range of options this camera offers. Another quibble is the non-rotatable monitor screen; if you need that function, buy the Atomos Ninja V or Shinobi outboard monitor. The ergonomics are different from ones DSLR (being somewhat smaller), but a short time with the well-thought-out form factor allows muscle memory to take over and youll appreciate the size. If this is the only factor holding you back, get the optional battery grip. Speaking of batteries, the Z battery is amazing in its capacity. All in all, this is as close to a perfect realization of a camera I can imagine at this current state of the art. Certainly, different photo shooters will have different needs, but this unit will cover all the bases from photo to video, sports to portraits, landscapes to macro, etc. Being able to use adapted lenses from other manufacturers is an added bonus. The B&H price, availability, and included package items make this a true bargain. For a Sony shooter wanting to upgrade or for a photographer coming from another system, this is a camera that needs to be on your short list of models to be considered. Buy and enjoy . . . you wont regret it! ... More
Great camera 'nuff said
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Doug on B&H Photo Video
I was on the fence about jumping in to mirrorless. I've used all Nikon DSLRs and Nikon glass for years. The Panasonic FZ-1000 was my first foray into mirrorless. That was a great walk around but certainly not the caliber of this. I read all the reviews, pondered whether or not I was making a good decision, waited months more...then decided to go for it. I am sooo happy that I did. For me, the EVF is fabulous. I shoot mostly Wildlife and Landscape so having the ability to zoom in for tack sharp focus is a game changer (again, for ME..) I also shoot a lot of BIFs so the high frame rate and very high pixel count gives me a much greater hit rate. Love that. The battery lasts a long time as well. I am currently only using Sony glass. I have the 12-24 f4, the 100-400 f4 GM and the 2x converter. I am still waiting on the 24-105 f4 to show up. As far as the menus that everyone seems to complain about.... I guess I don't view them as an issue. Are they great? No. Are they horrible? No. Just figure out what works for you and if something is too difficult to navigate to, just create a custom function. Done. Suffice it to say I am VERY satisfied with this gear. Is it expensive?...sure. What top quality, useful tool isn't ?!?! Jump in... the water is fine. You'll be glad you did. ... More
Amazing Camera... Alas still poor menu system.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Alessandro on B&H Photo Video
Fist and foremost, this camera is amazing! It's fast and a huge upgrade from the A7II that I am coming from. I like the upgrades like the new and amazing battery, the dials and buttons (finally moved the movie rec. button), viewfinder, autofocus, touchscreen (finally), shutter, etc. Now there are some criticisms. -I wish the mode dial was a push to Lock/Unlock in stead of hold to Unlock. Its a bit fiddly to adjust. -The Menu system is still a mess (ie. if you want to turn off the autofocus beep you have to go to MenuCamera 2 (Which is Video Settings) all the way to the last page (7 I believe) then turn off Audio Signals. I had to look this up otherwise I would have been lost. Totally initiative Sony! -Lastly, my unit came with a stuck green pixel right in the middle of the beautiful viewfinder. No points lost for that. I am a little bummed. This may indicate poor QC. I am in the process of an exchange and will update. As Always B&H will take care of me and I am sure the process will be quick and painless. Otherwise I cannot wait to take this out and really start shooting. It's a fantastic upgrade from the A7II and I am sure the A7RII as others have stated. There are plenty of online reviews. Check them out if you are on the fence. I am thrilled with the improvements over the last generation. ... More
I'm so surprised... by all the gushing.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Saam on B&H Photo Video
I'm seriously surprised by all the gushing reviews this camera gets. The best thing about it is its size and customization functions. Besides that, I experience so many obstructions to what I consider a professional workflow that I'm sometimes left laughing (inwardly, because it's not terribly funny). The Sony A7r III feels like a Canon 5D Mark IV dipped in molasses. It's like a sports car with an outdated plastic interior, where the performance is there, but the experience just doesn't satisfy. It seems expertly hyped as I find myself reluctant to rely on it as my only body on professional shoots. You can't see the focus point you selected very well. Things feel slow in general. Button pushes sometimes don't have any effect at all, as the camera seems to be trying to remember what that button did before responding. The compact size makes it so that buttons are very close and even my slim piano fingers have had to adjust to this. I often have to turn it on-off to tell it to behave. I've been using it every single day since I bought it almost 4 months ago. I bought a Metabones adaptor to use my Canon glass and I bought the Zeiss 35mm f2.8 to experience all the wonderful things promised by the literature and YouTube reviews when using native glass. I'm not wowed. I'll write a separate review for the glass but the long and short of it is that it hunts, by design. And it has tremendous vignetting and is an f.28 at $700. In short, my love for it is limited to silent shooting, extreme customization, and the size. My cons list is quite long. 8-bit color in video, delayed responses to basic controls like playback, sometimes no response at all. Deep, complex menus, and get this- you can't use the touch screen to navigate the menus. Yes, you read correctly. HILARIOUS. ... More
Almost everything you need.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Alexander on B&H Photo Video
This is a very good camera and rightfully deserves all the praise it receives. I'd just like to highlight in brief some areas where I'd like to see improvements and which prospective buyers coming from other systems may need to consider. The battery life, whilst much improved from its predecessor, is still substandard for a top-of-the-line camera. This is one of the trade-offs with mirrorless. The battery grip is essential, in my view, but adds to the weight. The colours are still off and you have to spend a considerable amount of time making in-camera adjustments to get the desired look. Canon and Fujifilm users won't like factory colour settings. The ergonomics aren't great, but can be improved by customising the menu and adding the battery grip. The touchscreen is substandard and feels like a half-effort. The video autofocus is much-improved, but still lacks behind Canon's class-leading Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Once you've become accustomed to Canon's AF system, everything else is lacking. These are my main gripes about the A7R III. Bear these points in mind when considering a purchase. No camera is perfect, although it feels like the day is coming where one camera will be able to do it all. This camera is almost there. Almost. ... More
Outstanding kit
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Scot on B&H Photo Video
Ive owned the A7RIII & 24-105mm G lens for about 9 months now and I can say that I am thoroughly impressed with this Sony full frame camera and the versatility of the G lens that I bought along with it. I jumped from using a Nikon APS-C sensor to this kit and can honestly say that it was a long time coming to make the change. I could have gone with a Nikon full frame camera but decided to go with the Sony because of all the features it has and the reputation that it has been building up over the past year or so. I was looking at the Nikon D850 but when I looked at all the reviews on YouTube or other photography websites, I just couldnt get myself to stay with Nikon. The main thing I noticed with this Sony kit is that since using it, I have not had to use Photoshop or Lightroom as much as I did with my APS-C Nikon. The image quality is just so much better. Yes, I know it is not fair to compare an APS-C sensor to a full frame sensor which has the higher megapixel count but it is just a great overall camera, which I will be using for years to come. So far, Im very satisfied with my jump to Sony and this A7RIII camera kit. I will be adding more lenses to my set up. Most likely other Sony G lenses. G master lenses are just way out of my price range. ... More
Stated Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed Is Misleading
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Stephen on B&H Photo Video
This is a great camera in many ways and I'm excited to be using it. I work a lot with flash photography in natural light situations. Ideally, the faster the maximum shutter speed synchronization, the better, with the best being all speeds, as with leaf shutter lenses. But, the A7RIII works within the limits of its focal plane shutter, which is reasonable and cost effective for an interchangeable lens camera. But let's be factual and not fantasize about it's maximum flash-sync speed. The specifications on the B&H website state that the A7RIII has maximum flash synchronization at 1/250 of a second. This is simply not true. The maximum flash sync speed is 1/200. That is 1/3 stop slower, which is significant, but it wouldn't surprise anyone if Sony, B&H, & other websites would just state the truth. The Sony A7RIII instruction manual goes another step and says the maximum flash sync speed is 1/250 when using a flash manufactured by Sony. Well, professional photographers use professional flash equipment, in the studio and in the field. Let it be known that with the major brands of professional flash equipment (which does not include Sony) the maximum sync speed on the A7RIII is 1/200 of a second, period. ... More
Marvelous Image Quality
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
The Sony Alpha a7R iii is a great 35 mm camera. It's autofocus is fast and sure so I don't miss shots. The build quality is first rate and the image quality is rich and includes outstanding fine detail if you use sharp lenses. This camera deserves the best lenses you can afford. Over the last 12 months I have purchased four Zeiss Batis lenses and all of them produce outstanding results on the a7R iii. The Zeiss 40 mm really surprised me with its sharpness, excellent dynamic contrast and rich saturation on the a7R iii. The camera has great ergonomics so it is easy to use and very fast getting it to your eye. This camera is a menu and button driven camera so if your preference is having all of your basic settings on external dials, then this camera will not be for you. Fortunately, all of the Sony's basic settings and adjustments can be accessed with the function (Fn) button on the back of the camera, the C3 button on the back of the camera and the three wheels, which can be accessed with the index finger and thumb. The camera's raw files produce exceptional images and I do all of my Sony processing in PhotoShop and Adobe Camera Raw. However, I am not a great fan of the Sony's jpegs. When I shoot outside and the lighting conditions are good, the jpegs are decent. When the lighting conditions are more challenging due to low light and various color casts, I am not pleased with the camera made jpegs. I am also a Fujifilm shooter so I know what an excellent camera made jpeg looks like. Consequently, if you stick with the raw files produced by this camera, your images will be first rate and aesthetically satisfying. For those of you who are not happy with Adobe, Capture One 20 is an excellent choice for processing your Sony's images. I use Capture One to process my Fujifilm files and the company's software is very well suited for Sony's files, too. In the end, it's about workflow, image quality and creating images that captivate your audience and this camera in the right hands gets it done. ... More
Excellent, with a few shortcomings
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Harry Franklin on B&H Photo Video
The A7Riii is my first full-frame camera. I'm using it with two of the Sony GM lenses. I previously used a Canon M5 with nice Canon L glass and the adapter. I'm obviously not a pro; but a serious hobbyist (I guess you'd say). What I like... 1. Wonderful IQ and dynamic range. ISO numbers that would render my M5 images far too grainy look very nice from the A7riii. 2. The EVF is very nice. Coming from the M5 mirrorless, I knew I'd never be happy with an OVF; so glad I skipped the Canon 6d. 3. The 10 FPS is great for my birding work. Likewise the silent shooting. 4. For a "serious hobbyist" there's a LOT of deep features and flexibility which I can learn and grow into, over time. What I don't like about the A7riii... 1. The limited use of the touch screen (can't tap menu items, etc.) for a camera released in late 2017. 2. Many users applaud the firmer feel of dials and such (compared to older Sony cameras); but, to me, they are way too firm. Adjusting the Aperture or Shutter Speed dial just about tears the skin off my fingers and I frequently overshoot, because it's so difficult to turn the dials. 3. The location of the lens release button makes for accidental bumps. One time my A7riii began behaving very strangely (mostly black screen, and many buttons wouldn't work) and after taking off the lens and reattaching it, all was well. My guess is that I bumped the lens release button just enough to cause trouble. 4. I wish the Menu button was on the right side; then I could do everything with one hand. And that's one of the few functions that can't be customized (i.e., I can't remap a custom button or something else to be the same as pressing the Menu button). 5. The PlayMemories app for iOS is lousy. Can't believe a camera released in late 2017 basically requires that you extract a card, or plug in a cable, to download images. ... More
Excellent mirrorless full frame camera.
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Li on B&H Photo Video
I switched from full Nikon setup (D750+D500 w/all F2.8 zoom lenses) to Sony, because I liked the smaller and lighter camera body. In terms of image quality, the camera is just as good as any other 40+mp cameras out there, the Eye AF really helps with the portrait shots.However, Eye AF doesn't work well on pets (cats in particular). The AF is fast and accurate, but that also depends on if you have a faster lens. On slower lenses, say the 50mm F1.8, the AF is slow and noisy despitehaving a large aperture. On most G/GM lens (except the Macro lens), the AF is almost instant. One major inconvenience is how easy the dust gets on the sensor, which requires constant clean. No matter how careful you are when changing the lens, dust will always get on there The battery is also much better compared to the last generation ofnp-fw50 poweredcameras,and should last twice as long but always good to bring one or two spares just in case. The touch screen is easy to use for focusing, and the touch pad feature when using EVF is also very helpful. The menu system has been improved compared tolastgeneration but still not at the same level as Nikon/Canon's menus. Overall, I love this camera body, so I also bought the A7 III for whenhighmegapixel count is not necessary. The raw file out of this camera is usually around 80-90mb, while raw file, compared to 24mp cameras which usually output a 25-30mb raw files. In terms of lens options, I feel that Sony still lacks behind compared to Canon and Nikon, and their top of the line G/GM lenses is unnecessarily bulky, which defies the purpose of having a smaller camera body. I'm really glad to see Sigma offering nativesony FE lenses now and I've already ordered a bunch because the Sigma Art performed so well on my Nikon camera. Highly recommend this camera if your job requires super high megapixel count. Otherwise get the A7 III, which I personally think is a better all-around camera. ... More
Awesome camera with a ton of amazing features
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Derrick on B&H Photo Video
I've saved for this camera for 4 years, the dynamic range you can pull out of an underexposed shot is literally mindblowing. You can honestly see in the dark, I wouldn't be surprised if Sony's tech isn't in modern nightvision goggles for full color vision in the dark. My only gripe is the file size is IMMENSE. Even with compressed RAW shots I've gone from 4gb per shoot with my APS-C censor, to 70gb per shoot. Also for any photo mechanic users, sony embed's small JPEG files in their RAWs, so if you would like to be able to quickly tell if your images are in focus using PM, you'll need to use the RAW+JPEG option, which adds onto file management and additional cleanup/space usage. Battery life is awesome, I expected it to last less than one 4 hour shoot, but I've managed to go 8 hours of shooting in a day and winding up at around 20% ... More
Worthy upgrade over the A7Rii
Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Accessories Kit
Reviewed by Ross B. on B&H Photo Video
I was hesitant to preorder this camera considering I already had the A7Rii but after several weeks of use it is definitely worth it! The following improvements keep me focused on nailing the shot vs dealing with the camera: -The improved evf, -extended battery life, -ergonomics (way more comfortable in the hand, especially with long lenses) -higher FPS (great for capturing the "decisive moment") -Touch screen -dual card slots (no more running home to backup shots in fear of losing a great photo) Image quality is great but haven't noticed a difference over the A7Rii. If you have an A7Rii and the features above interest you then I can definitely say you won't regret it. If you don't shoot sony (canikon) I would also say give it a try! I switched over from Nikon and have never regretted it; the evf alone made a huge difference in nailing the shot and easily getting the settings dialed in without chimping. The only scenario I would not recommend this camera in is if you are a wild life shooter and need a really long and fast lens with native autofocus. Sony has a 100-400 and a 400 2.8 on the way but it might be a little while until anything longer comes along. Personally, I shoot landscapes and city/street so I've never needed anything over 200mm. In conclusion, I'm very happy with the improvements and don't regret the upgrade from the A7Rii! ... More
