Sony Alpha 7R III Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
Written by Antonio Cala.
Table of Contents
If you’re in the market for a high-quality camera that can capture stunning photos and videos, the Sony Alpha 7R III is an excellent choice.
This camera boasts a 42.4MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor, providing exceptional image quality. Additionally, the Real-time AF tracking and Real-time Eye-AF for humans and animals allow for precise and reliable focus.
One of the most impressive features is the fast hybrid autofocus, which includes 399 phase-detection and 425 contrast AF points. This allows for quick and accurate focusing, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The camera also offers up to 10fps continuous shooting at 42.4MP with AE/AF tracking, making it an excellent choice for fast-paced action photography.
Let’s dive into the details.
For a complete analysis of wildlife cameras, make sure to check out the ultimate guide to wildlife photography cameras.
Sony Alpha 7R III Overview
When it comes to mirrorless cameras, the Sony Alpha 7R III is definitely one to consider. With a 42.4MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor, this camera produces high-resolution images that are sure to impress. The fast hybrid autofocus system, which includes 399 phase-detection and 425 contrast AF points, ensures that your shots are always in focus.
One of the most impressive features of the Sony Alpha 7R III is its real-time AF tracking and real-time Eye-AF for humans and animals. This makes it easy to capture stunning photos of wildlife. Additionally, the camera has a wide dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, and an ISO range of 50 to 102,400, which makes it perfect for shooting in low-light conditions.
Overall, the Sony Alpha 7R III is a great camera for both professionals and enthusiasts. Its advanced features and high-quality images make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to up their photography game.
Key Features
If you’re looking for a camera that can capture stunning images and videos, then you should consider the Sony Alpha 7R III. Here are some of its key features:
High-Resolution 42.4MP Full-Frame Sensor
The Sony Alpha 7R III features a 42.4MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor, which allows you to capture high-resolution images with incredible detail and clarity. With its wide dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, and ISO range of 50 to 102,400, you can capture stunning photos even in low-light conditions.
Advanced Autofocus System
The Camera has an advanced autofocus system that includes 399 phase-detection and 425 contrast AF points. This allows you to track subjects with ease and precision, even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera also features real-time AF tracking and real-time Eye-AF for humans and animals, which makes it easier to capture sharp and clear images of your subjects.
High-Speed Continuous Shooting
With the Sony Alpha 7R III, you can capture up to 10fps continuous shooting at 42.4MP with AE/AF tracking. This makes it easier to capture fast-moving subjects, such as wildlife, sports, and action scenes. The camera also has a silent shooting mode, which allows you to capture photos without disturbing your subjects.
4K HDR Video Capability
The Sony Alpha 7R III can shoot 4K HDR videos, which makes it ideal for videographers and filmmakers. With its advanced image processing, you can capture high-quality videos with stunning detail and color. The camera also has a 3-inch LCD screen that allows you to preview your shots and adjust your settings with ease.
Overall, the Alpha 7R III is a powerful and versatile camera that can capture stunning photos and videos. Its high-resolution sensor, advanced autofocus system, high-speed continuous shooting, and 4K HDR video capability make it a great choice for photographers and videographers who want to take their work to the next level.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to the Sony Alpha 7R III, there are both pros and cons to consider before making a purchase. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Pros
- High resolution sensor: The 42.4MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor deliver stunning image quality, allowing you to capture every detail in your shots.
- Real-time autofocus: The Real-time AF tracking and Real-time Eye-AF for humans and animals make it easy to capture sharp and in-focus shots, even when your subjects are moving.
- Wide dynamic range: With 14-bit uncompressed RAW and ISO 50 to 102,4005, you can capture images with incredible detail and clarity, even in low-light conditions.
- Fast autofocus: The Fast Hybrid autofocus system features 399 phase-detection and 425 contrast AF points, allowing you to quickly and accurately focus on your subjects.
- Continuous shooting: With up to 10fps continuous shooting at 42.4MP with AE/AF tracking, you can capture fast-moving subjects with ease.
Cons
- Price: The Sony Alpha 7R III is quite expensive, making it a significant investment for most photographers.
- Limited battery life: The battery life is not the best, so you may need to carry extra batteries with you if you plan on using the camera for long periods of time.
- Complex menu system: The menu system can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, so it may take some time to learn how to navigate it effectively.
User Reviews and Testimonials
Cameras often receive negative online reviews due to technical issues, poor customer service or defective models.
The Sony Alpha 7RII however, receives very few negative reviews. This model has more positive reviews than many other models.
Sony Alpha 7R III vs Competitors
The mirrorless market is quite saturated and the Sony Alpha 7R III has a few competitors. Here’s how it compares to other models.
- |
Canon R3 |
Nikon Z9 |
Sony Alpha 1 |
Sony Alpha 7R III |
Sony Alpha 6400 |
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CAMERA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BEST FOR |
Overall |
Runner Up |
Pro's |
Best Value |
Beginners |
Budget-friendly |
|
SENSOR |
Full Frame |
Full Frame |
Full Frame |
Full Frame |
APS-C |
Micro 4/3 |
|
PRICE |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$ |
$ |
$ |
|
WEIGHT |
1.81 lbs |
2.95 lbs |
1.61 lbs |
1.45 lbs |
0.89 lbs |
0.85 lbs |
|
MEGAPIXELS |
24.1 MP |
45.7 MP |
50.1 MP |
42.4 MP |
24.2 MP |
20.3 MP |
|
BURST RATE |
Up to 30fps |
Up to 120fps |
Up to 30fps |
Up to 10fps |
Up to 11fps
|
Up to 15fps |
|
AUTOFOCUS POINTS |
1053 |
493 |
759 |
399 |
425 |
121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
After thoroughly reviewing the Sony Alpha 7R III, we can confidently say that it is a top-of-the-line option for anyone looking to up their photography game. The 42.4MP full-frame high resolution sensor, combined with the front end LSI image processor, produces stunningly sharp and detailed images.
Additionally, the 4K HDR video capabilities and 3″ LCD screen make it an excellent choice for videographers as well. We were impressed with the camera’s overall performance and ease of use.
While the price point may be a bit steep for some, we believe that the Sony Alpha 7R III is worth the investment for serious photographers and videographers interested in capturing wildlife photos. Its remarkable features and sturdy build make it a reliable and enjoyable camera to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that purchasing a new camera can be a big investment, and you likely have some questions about the Sony Alpha 7R III. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this camera.
What are the standout features of the A7R III?
The Sony Alpha 7R III Mirrorless Camera has a number of standout features that make it a great choice for photographers. Some of the most notable features include:
- 42.4MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor
- Real-time AF tracking and Real-time Eye-AF for humans and animals
- Wide dynamic range, 14-bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 102,400
- Fast Hybrid autofocus: 399 phase-detection / 425 contrast AF points
- Up to 10fps continuous shooting at 42.4MP with AE/AF tracking
How does the A7R III’s performance compare to the A7 III?
The Sony Alpha 7R III and A7 III are both excellent cameras, but there are some differences in their performance. The A7R III has a higher resolution sensor, which means it can capture more detail in your photos. It also has better autofocus performance, with more AF points and better tracking capabilities. However, the A7 III has better low-light performance, thanks to its larger pixel size and lower resolution sensor.
What improvements does the A7R IV have over the A7R III?
The Sony Alpha 7R IV is the latest version of this camera, and it has a number of improvements over the A7R III. Some of the most notable improvements include:
- 61.0MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Real-time Eye AF for animals
- Improved autofocus performance
- 10fps continuous shooting at 61.0MP with AF/AE tracking
- 5.76 million-dot UXGA OLED Tru-Finder
What are the major differences between the base and updated versions of the A7R III?
There is only one version of the Sony Alpha 7R III, so there are no major differences between base and updated versions.
How does the A7R III hold up for professional photography?
The Sony Alpha 7R III is an excellent camera for professional photography. Its high resolution sensor and excellent autofocus performance make it a great choice for capturing detailed images of all kinds. It also has a wide range of features and settings that allow you to customize your shooting experience to your needs. Overall, we think the A7R III is a great choice for any professional photographer looking for a high-quality mirrorless camera.
Other Models Reviewed
If you would like to read more reviews of cameras for wildlife photography, you can check out our other reviews below:
Other Camera Reviews
If you would like to read more about camera options for wildlife photography, make sure you check out our Master Guide to Wildlife Photography Cameras.
For even more specific options, you can check out our other reviews below:
Camera Type
Skill Level
Budget
Brand
Planned activitiy
Sony Alpha 7R III Reviews Online
When doing your research, you might want to read what other publications have to say about the Sony Alpha 7R III camera.
Here are some of the most popular reviews from the web.
Sony A7R III Review – by imaging-resource.com
Sony A7RIII Review: Officially The Best Pro Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera On The Market – by slrlounge.com
About the Author
Born and raised in Southern Spain, Antonio quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight.
They visited 150+ countries, cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions.
Today Antonio runs Adventure Fix with Amanda, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix