Sony A7S III Video

Sony A7S III Video Specs & Sample Videos

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The Sony A7S III offers video recording in multiple resolutions and framerates, including three video file codecs:

(From the manufacturer's specs)

The Sony A7S III is capable of recording video in both 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution and Full HD (1920 x 1080). Additionally, the option to record video with 10-bit and 8-bit color sampling is also available, though it varies depending on the video format selected.

For XAVC S-I 4K mode, the recording options are as follows:

4K UHD - ALL-I (Intra) compression

• 60p/50p
  • 600Mbps 4:2:2 10bit/500Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
• 30p/25p
  • 300Mbps 4:2:2 10bit/250Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
• 24p
  • 240Mbps 4:2:2 10bit

For XAVC S-I HD mode, the recording options are as follows:

Full HD - ALL-I (Intra) compression

• 60p/50p
  • 222Mbps 4:2:2 10bit/185Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
• 30p/25p
  • 111Mbps 4:2:2 10bit/93Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
• 24p
  • 89Mbps 4:2:2 10bit

For XAVC HS 4K (HEVC) mode, the recording options are as follows:

4K UHD - Long GOP compression

• 60p/50p
  • 200Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 150Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
  • 100Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 75Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
  • 45Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
• 24p
  • 100Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 100Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
  • 50Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 50Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
  • 30Mbps 4:2:0 10bit
• 120p/100p
  • 280Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 200Mbps 4:2:0 10bit

For XAVC S 4K mode, the recording options are as follows:

4K UHD - Long GOP compression

• 60p/50p
  • 200Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 150Mbps 4:2:0 8bit
• 30p/25p
  • 140Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 100Mbps 4:2:0 8bit
  • 60Mbps 4:2:0 8bit
• 24p
  • 100Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 100Mbps 4:2:0 8bit
  • 60Mbps 4:2:0 8bit
• 120p/100p
  • 280Mbps 4:2:2 10bit
  • 200Mbps 4:2:0 8bit

For XAVC S HD mode, the recording options are as follows:

Full HD - Long GOP compression

• 60p/50p
  • 50M 4:2:2 10bit
  • 50M 4:2:0 8bit
  • 25M 4:2:0 8bit
• 30p/25p
  • 50M 4:2:2 10bit
  • 50M 4:2:0 8bit
  • 16M 4:2:0 8bit
• 24p
  • 50M 4:2:2 10bit
  • 50M 4:2:0 8bit
• 120p/100p
  • 100M 4:2:0 8bit
  • 60M 4:2:0 8bit

Along with standard video recording modes, the A7S III has improved Slow & Quick recording modes, also with the ability to record in various high frame rates and quality settings, including 10-bit 4:2:2. These shooting modes provide for easier in-camera creation of slow-motion videos or timelapse-style videos. Additional video options include support for S-Log2 and S-Log3 Picture Profiles in 10 bit 4:2:2, with a claimed 15+ stops of dynamic range for improved grading performance and flexibility in post-processing. A 10-bit HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) HDR picture profile, complete with the wide-gamut BT.2020 color space, can also be used for direct HDR (HLG) playback on compatible TVs.

For additional, higher quality video capture, the A7S III supports 16-bit RAW video output via the HDMI to an external recorder, with framerates up to 60p (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p). The raw video data output uses the full-frame of the sensor in a 16:9 aspect ratio (4264 x 2408).

Sony states that the camera is rated for sustained 4K 60p recording for up to an hour (though it's likely the camera can record for much longer, depending on temperature or perhaps, more importantly, memory card capacity). The camera does support USB-C Power Delivery for uninterrupted power supply for extended recording.

Video Samples