When the Sony a7 III originally came out, it earned a lot of favorable reviews right away. This camera was anything but basic, even though it was named “the basic model.” It has professional features and a body that most photographers could use. But that was a long time ago. That’s the major question for the day.

For a long time, I’ve had this camera. I rented one in March 2019 and was so satisfied that I bought my own in January 2021. I wrote this review based on what I thought at first and what I’ve learned since then. I can tell you right away that the camera is still amazing.

Let’s take a closer look at this review of the Sony a7 III to determine if it’s the ideal camera for you.

What is the Sony a7 III? A Quick Look

The Sony a7 III is a camera that doesn’t have a mirror. The full-frame sensor is very strong.

• The BIONZ X Image Processor is the brain of the system.
• 693 phase-detection AF points and an excellent Eye AF for focusing.
• 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) for stabilizing images.
• A mechanical shutter that enables you to take up to 10 frames per second (fps).
• Footage: 30p 4K UHD footage and 120p Full HD video.

This set of features was quite novel for the price when it came out.

A Close Look at How Effectively Things Work in the Field

It’s one thing to have specifications on paper. The most essential factor is how well it functions in real life. This is what the Sony a7 III does every day.

The Picture Quality and the Spectrum of Colors

The Sony a7 III is particularly good at this. The 24-megapixel sensor is perfect. It gives you a lot of information for big prints without producing files that are excessively big and hard to use.

The range of mobility is incredible. What does this mean for you? It means that you can do a lot of various things with post-processing. You can get information out of gloomy places without making a lot of noise. You might even retrieve dazzling spots in the sky that you believed were gone forever. This felt like a superpower because I was used to an older DSLR.

Autofocus: The One Thing That Makes All the Difference

The Sony a7 III’s autofocus is what makes it stand out. It is really quick and very precise. There are 693 phase-detection spots on the camera that cover around 93% of the sensor. With this, you can practically follow someone to the edge of the frame.

Eye AF is the actual star. The camera can find a person’s eye and lock onto it with incredible accuracy. This changes a lot about how you snap images of people. You can focus on your composition and how you interact with your subject because it will always get the focus right. It even works well on animals, which makes it much easier to shoot shots of pets and nature.

When You Fire Quickly, You Don’t Miss Anything

The a7 III can capture ten photos in one second. This is fast enough for most things, like sports, animals, and youngsters who never stop moving. The buffer is big enough that you can snap a lot of photographs in a row without the camera slowing down. It also has two card slots, which is another professional feature. You can have them back each other up for peace of mind, or you can have them overflow when one card is full.

It Can Record Video, Not Just Take Pictures

The Sony a7 III is also a superb camera for taking videos. It generates 4K videos that are quite clear. The camera captures in 6K, but then it downsamples the footage to 4K. This method of generating videos makes them exceedingly crisp and sharp.

It also has professional video profiles like S-Log2 and S-Log3. These profiles make the video look flat right out of the camera. But they hold a huge amount of dynamic range. This offers videographers a lot of latitude to color grade the footage. If you want to take both pictures and movies, the a7 III is an excellent camera.

How to Use It and Hold It

The handle on the Sony a7 III is deep and comfortable for a mirrorless camera, although the camera itself is smaller than a standard DSLR. If your hands are very large, you might want to try it out first.

The build is sturdy. The camera seems sturdy, and it includes weather sealing to keep out dust and moisture. You can customize the buttons, though, and set up a “My Menu” page for the options you use the most. It works a lot faster when you set it up.

The a7 III vs. the a7 IV and a7R III

The Sony a7 III and the a7 IV

Choose the Sony a7 IV if:

• You want greater resolution (33MP vs. 24MP).
• You want the newest autofocus technology, such as Bird Eye AF and better tracking for movies.
• You want to vlog and need a screen that can move all the way around.
• You are a professional who will appreciate the 10-bit video and enhanced menu system.

The Sony a7 IV is a modern workhorse.

Go for the Sony a7 III if you’re on a budget. The a7 III still shoots photographs that are good enough for pros. The focusing is still 95% as good in most circumstances. When you look at the used market, the Sony a7 III is the best value right now.

The Sony a7 III and the a7R III

The “R” in a7R III refers to “resolution.” This is the key element that sets them apart.

Choose the Sony a7R III if you want to capture a lot of images of landscapes, buildings, or in a studio and get the most detail. The a7R III’s 42MP sensor lets you produce enormous prints and crop a lot.

If you want to be a general photographer, go with the Sony a7 III. It’s easier to keep and operate with the 24MP files. The a7 III features a better focusing system and operates better in low light than the a7R III. It’s the finest approach for snapping photos of people, events, and other objects.

Should You Get the Sony a7 III Today?

Of course, yes. For the price, the Sony a7 III is still one of the best full-frame cameras you can get. When it was released, it was so ahead of its time that its characteristics are still useful and strong now.

Purchase a Sony a7 III if:

• You are upgrading from an older DSLR or APS-C camera.
• You are an enthusiast or hobbyist who wants images that seem like they were taken by an expert.
• You shoot images of weddings and other occasions, but you don’t have a lot of money.
• You need a good hybrid camera that can take both still pictures and 4K video.

Now that the Sony a7 IV has come out, the a7 III is an even better deal. The prices for both new and used Sony a7 III cameras are now quite good. It is still a top choice because it was so skillfully made. People know this camera takes fantastic images.

Questions That Are Often Asked (FAQs)

Getting Deeper: How Well It Works in Low Light and at High ISO

Let’s speak about how to capture images in the dark. You would not think so, but the Sony a7 III does a much better job in this area. Bigger sensors capture more light. This means that the higher the ISO, the better the photographs will seem.

The ISO performance on the a7 III is great. You don’t have to worry about noise when you photograph at ISO 6400 or above, and the files you acquire will be quite clean and usable. It’s okay to go up to ISO 12,800 for web use or small prints, especially if you have sophisticated noise reduction software. This performance gives you a lot of choices. It’s good for:

• Wedding receptions in settings that aren’t very bright.
• Sports and events inside.
• Taking images of concerts without using a flash.
• Astrophotography and shooting images of the night sky.

The 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is also great when there isn’t much light.

A Mirrorless Camera with a Battery That Lasts a Long Time

People used to think that the batteries in early mirrorless cameras didn’t last very long. The Sony a7 III changed the subject. This camera was the first to use Sony’s new NP-FZ100 battery.

In real-world use, the battery lasts a long time. When I’m on the road snapping shots, one charge lasts all day. For big shots like weddings, I might need a second battery, but most of the time, one is enough. This is a huge help. You can focus on shooting without constantly worrying about how much battery life you have left. This is a useful feature that makes the Sony a7 III a good camera to use for extended days.

How to Make Smart Purchases on the Used Market with the Sony a7 III

The Sony a7 III is selling quite well on the used market, and there’s a solid reason for that. A lot of folks have upgraded to the Sony a7 IV; therefore, you can acquire the a7 III for a great price. This represents one of the best values in photography right now.

If you want to buy a secondhand Sony a7 III, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Shutter Count: See how many times the seller has used the shutter.
• Functionality: If you can, try out all the buttons, dials, and the screen. Check to see if everything is working well.

You can get into the full-frame system for a lot less money if you buy a used a7 III instead of a new one.

The E-Mount Lens System: A World That Keeps Getting Bigger

The lenses are what make a camera good. The Sony E-mount system was already quite good when the Sony a7 III came out. Today, this is perhaps the most complete and diverse set of mirrorless lenses available.

This is a major plus.  Some of the best third-party firms that create lenses for the system are Sigma, Tamron, Viltrox, and Samyang. You can utilize a lot of different lenses with the Sony a7 III.

There is a lens for every kind of picture you wish to take.

The Sony a7 III system is a fantastic choice for the long run because it works with many lenses.

Who Should Not Buy the Sony a7 III?

The a7 III is a terrific camera, but it might not be the perfect one for you. Here are some situations when you might want to consider acquiring a different model:

• You Need Maximum Resolution: If you’re a landscape or commercial photographer who makes large prints or needs to crop heavily, the 24MP sensor might not be adequate for you. The Sony a7R III or one of its successors (a7R IV/V) with its 42MP+ sensors would be a better choice in this instance.
• You’re a Serious Vlogger: The a7 III doesn’t have a completely articulating flip-out screen, which is something that serious vloggers and filmmakers need. This makes it hard to set up your shot for vlogging. The 10-bit footage from the Sony a7 IV offers much more flexibility for color grading. The Sony a7 IV or a7S III are better choices if you are serious about video.
• You Prioritize Portability Above All: The a7 III is a full-frame camera, but it’s smaller than a DSLR, so you can take it with you. When paired with high-quality lenses, the setup can still be quite large. If you require something really small and light to carry around, you might want to look at a camera from Sony’s APS-C family, like the a6600 or a6700.

The Last Battle: Sony a7 III vs. Sony a7 IV

A lot of folks who want to buy are asking this right now. Should you buy the newer Sony a7 IV or the a7 III and save money?

Here are some reasons why the a7 III is still a good choice:

• Great Value: You get 90% of the performance for a lot less money, especially if you buy it used.
• Proven Performer: People still think the focusing and picture quality are good.
• Smaller Files: The 24MP files are easier to use and don’t take up as much space on your PC.
• Hybrid Ready: This camera is still suitable for folks who want to take pictures and videos.

When to pay more for the Sony a7 IV:

• You Need a Flip Screen: The screen of the a7 IV can move in any way, which is fantastic for vlogging or taking images from unusual angles.
• You Need Better Video: The Sony a7 IV’s 10-bit color and 4K 60p (in crop mode) are substantial improvements if you care about video.
• You Desire More Resolution: The 33MP sensor lets you view more detail and crop your photos more aggressively.
• You Want the Latest Autofocus: The Eye AF and real-time tracking on the a7 IV are a significant step up. This is especially true when you’re following something that moves quickly or while you’re recording video.

It’s a big credit to the design and performance of the Sony a7 III that people are still talking about it.

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