The search for the best price-to-performance ratio inevitably pits advantages and compromises against each other, but this battle is especially noticeable in the world of photography. However, there are times when the user wants to leave all that behind and opt for a much more complete solution, regardless of what the budget demands. That's when the Sony Alpha A7R III appears. With just over two years on the market, this mirrorless camera manages to combine the successes of its younger sibling A7R II and those of the A9 series, achieving a robust result that suits almost any environment.
Personally, I must admit that I try to avoid the highest end of the photographic spectrum because there is always the feeling that it is much easier to recommend premium cameras, but that does not erase the fact that there are very interesting things waiting for us there, even if our interest in photography is more enthusiast than professional.
In any case, every camera must justify the investment it requires, delivering a good balance of quality, features, compatibility, and official support. The Sony Alpha A7R III seems to tick all those boxes, and although it technically already has a successor, this mirrorless is anything but obsolete.
Sony Alpha A7R III: A mirrorless to photograph them all
Originally announced in October 2017, the Sony Alpha A7R III features a full-frame CMOS sensor with 42.4 effective megapixels, backed by the Bionz X image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 32,000, with a boost in both directions from 50 to 102,400, while the shutter speed ranges from 1/8,000 to 30 seconds. Its main 3-inch screen is touch-sensitive and tilting (107 degrees up, 41 degrees down) with a resolution of 1.44 million dots, and on the side of the viewfinder we find an OLED module with 3.68 million dots and 100 percent coverage, including a high-speed mode at 100 fps.
The autofocus system in the Sony Alpha A7R III is one of the most notable we have seen in mirrorless format, with a total of 399 points based on phase detection, and 25 additional zones for contrast detection. In addition to the three general modes (Single, Continuous, and Automatic), the Alpha A7R III also offers six additional area parameters ("Wide", "Zone", "Center", "Flexible Spot" (Large, Medium, Small), "Expanded Flexible Spot", and "Lock On" which works as a tracking version of the previous ones), and three other configurations: Face, Eye, and Center Priority.
All these modes can be a bit confusing and intimidating at first, but they lead to a very powerful autofocus that corrects some issues present in the previous model, all in the context of 42 megapixels. Eye tracking is excellent even in less favorable conditions (low light, or limited artificial light), and when the scene becomes a bit more extreme or chaotic, there is nothing manual mode cannot solve. The available burst modes are four: 10 fps (high+), 8 fps (high, with Live View), 6 fps (medium), and 3 fps (low), with a standard buffer of 76 frames, or 28 if you shoot uncompressed RAW. More than recommended, using a pair of fast SD cards is a requirement.
The interface of the Sony Alpha A7R III has no radical changes compared to its predecessor A7R II. In fact, if someone moves from one camera to the other, they won't have major difficulties adapting, but a beginner might want more time with it. A particularly useful detail is that the camera automatically disables the eye sensor in the viewfinder once we open the LCD screen, which, combined with the joystick on the back, makes controlling autofocus points a breeze. The camera also doesn't ignore customization, with four physical "C" buttons (two on the back, and two next to the mode dial), but the total number of programmable controls amounts to thirteen. In short, with a bit of patience, you can turn the Sony Alpha A7R III into a unique tool adapted to your favorite functions.
The top confirms the presence of four dials: front and rear, exposure compensation control, and mode dial. The latter is the one that interests us most, but at the same time it brings no surprises. There are ten entries, divided into Full Auto, Programmed Auto "P", Aperture Priority "A", Shutter Priority "S", Manual "M", Movie, Slow and Quick "S&Q", and three options for saving special settings. The rest of the details can be found in the online guide.
With such a large working space available on the sensor, the Sony Alpha A7R III will let you record 4K video using the full width of the sensor, or an APS-C equivalent region with oversampling (that is, the capture is 5K, and then it converts it). The maximum frame rate for 4K is 30 frames per second at 100 Mbps under the XAVC S format, while for 1080p (in addition to the classic 60 fps) we discover a slow-motion mode at 120 fps and 60 megabits per second. All recorded modes are compatible with SteadyShot, and you'll find more advanced parameters under the "Picture Profile" options, as well as a microphone port and headphone output that enables audio monitoring.
Accessories for Sony Alpha A7R III
No, it's not a mistake: the body of the Sony Alpha A7R III costs 2,500 euros, and from what we've seen so far, that premium is justified. The professional circuit might have a point or two to criticize, but that didn't stop it from arriving on the market as one of the most complete cameras available. Now, if you've decided to go for it, you'll need some accessories…
Batteries and power
With an average of 650 shots per full charge, the battery of the Sony Alpha A7R III symbolizes one of its most important improvements, but our stance on power will never change: better to have too much than too little. For that reason, I think it's not a bad idea to add a compatible NP-FZ100 module, which currently goes for around 20 euros. It works without issues in the official charger, and don't forget that the camera also charges via USB.
Tripods and supports
Finding a good tripod for Sony Alpha A7R III can seem complicated at first, but the whole process begins with a proven and well-known model. Of course, I'm referring to the Gloxy GX-T6662A, which supports a maximum load of ten kilograms and guarantees camera stability thanks to its non-slip rubber feet and metal tips for soft terrain. On the other hand, if the session forces you to adopt a more compact solution, the answer is the Clampod Takeway T2, which can grab onto anything, is very easy to carry, supports 40 kilograms of load, and is on sale!
Backpacks and bags
The factory weather sealing and excellent build quality suggest a robust profile for the Sony Alpha A7R III, but it is not very light when compared to other mirrorless cameras (657 grams, including battery), so we must have a good means of transport. Our first suggestion is the Gloxy Pro AW backpack, available in three sizes, with padded and modifiable interior, a comfortable and dynamic design, and a detail always welcome: a waterproof cover. If the session is a bit more casual and you don't plan to move too much gear, then perhaps our second recommendation is more appropriate, the Vanguard Discover 22. Body, two lenses, a flash, personal items, tablet, and much more in a good-quality bag that doesn't draw attention.
Memory cards
With two SD slots and several 4K video modes, the Sony Alpha A7R III leaves no room for misunderstandings: it wants fast, high-capacity cards. If the plan is to prioritize speed, then a pair of SanDisk Extreme Pro will be excellent allies, with 170 MB per second read and 95 MB/s write. In contrast, the 256-gigabyte model sacrifices a bit of read and write (95 MB/s and 90 MB/s respectively), but doubles the storage space. When shopping, look for the SKU "CF571364,IM713363808" to ensure compatibility.
Lenses
There's no point in seeking a camera like the Sony Alpha A7R III if we don't pair it with good optics, and no matter how much it hurts the wallet, any lens we choose must match the potential of this mirrorless. That leads us to Irix, with its fabulous 15mm Firefly wide-angle lens, which includes all the accessories for it to work at its best on Sony's E mount. In essence, I doubt you can find a better wide-angle for its price. However, if you feel a versatile option will be more useful, then look no further than this solid Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, with great response speed and a versatile profile, designed for photos and video.
Checkered flag, for now. Specialized reviews speak for themselves, and owner comments only reinforce what has already been said: The Sony Alpha A7R III is one of the best mirrorless cameras in this price range. 42.4 megapixels, 4K, flexible, customizable, with features inherited from "pro" cameras, and ideal for almost everything, from close portraits to the widest panoramas. Those 2,500 euros sting at first, but afterwards it's a pleasure. Good luck!
