Last Updated on July 29, 2020
Features
- 12.2 MP 35mm full-frame Exmor® CMOS sensor
- Uncompressed (8-bit, 4:2:2) 4K 30p/24p via HDMI
- Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080)60p, 60i, 30p, and 24p
- 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) 120fps slow-motion effect
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- ISO 50 to 409,600 still images, 100 to 409,600 movies
- 3.0 in (921,600 dots) TFT LCD Monitor
- 2.36M-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
Sony Alpha A7S Introduction Video
Sony Alpha A7S Overview
Trying to do something different for the camera industry, Sony unveiled their first true full-frame mirror-less cameras, which then led to the creation of the A7 series. Now, the company has added a new baby to their collection of great products, which is the Alpha A7S—a follow-up to the A7 and the A7R. It brags that this model is the smallest full-frame interchangeable lens camera. Though it is not exactly a second-generation product, it is a bit of an improvement.
This innovative camera from Sony features a 12.2 effective megapixel 35mm Exmor CMOS sensor that is paired with a powerful BIONZ X image processor, allowing it to shoot at a sensitivity range of ISO 100-409600 with unprecedented 15.3 stops of dynamic range with low noise even in the most challenging environments. The A7S is the first 35mm camera in the world to incorporate “direct pixel readout” that utilizes the whole width of its full-frame image sensor without pixel binning or line skipping.
This means it can read and process data in both 4K and HD video acquisition from each of the sensor’s pixels, allowing users to utilize all of its creative and artistic benefits. The camera is equipped with the same high-precision Fast Intelligent Auto Focus (AF) system as the A7R, improving AF sensitivity in low-light surroundings and going as low as -4EV.
The A7S uses Sony’s latest image sensor technology for larger-than-normal pixel sizes on its 35mm full-frame image sensor with effective 12.2MP. To boost the efficiency of the sensor’s light collection efficiency, it adopts a new generation of RGB color filter, along with light concentration technology, gapless on-chip lens design and photodiode expansion technology, which delivers unprecedented high sensitivity and low-noise levels with high dynamic ranges. It can also minimize flare and ghosting by applying an AR coating on the glass seal surface over its image sensor, further contributing to high quality of images.
When set to the “XAVC S” video mode, this camera can give an output of uncompressed QFHD 4K videos (3840 x 2160) in 8-bit 4:2:2 to an optional external 3rd-party 4k recorder via HDMI. If you need to perform discretionary shooting, like capturing wildlife or recital, then there is the ideal “silent shutter” mode, which eliminates the use of the mechanical shutter.
The A7S is also equipped with S-Log2 gamma, which is common to the Sony professional video camera line that lets users to expand the dynamic range by up to 1,300% to minimize loss of detail in shadows and clipped highlights. This feature includes a picture profile that offers settings for various aspects, such as gamma, black, level and color adjustment. Aside from the gamma feature, the camera also uses the 2.4M dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder that sports OLED improvements and similar 3-lens optical system that is used in Sony’s flagship A99. along with high-end features like 100% frame coverage and a wide viewing angle.
For its display, this camera has the tiltable 3.0″ (1,229k dots) Xtra Fine LCD, making it easier for users to take pictures over crowds or low to capture pets eye to eye by swinging up approximately 84 degrees and down approximately 45 degrees. Users can also easily scroll through menus and preview life due to its WhiteMagic technology that dramatically increases visibility in bright daylight.
Compatibility
The A7S is directly compatible with the growing family of E-mount lenses and can also be used with A-mount and others lens systems with specialized adapters. E-mount lens system from Sony is particularly well-suited for video shooting, with various models containing movie-friendly features, such as powered zoom control, smooth focusing and silent iris/aperture control. For the complete lens system, you can include the G Series Lenses and the premium offerings from Carl Zeiss.
When it comes to connectivity with smartphones, this camera uses the One-touch sharing/One-touch remote that has been made simple with Wi-Fi/NFC control. In addition to this, the A7S also supports near filed communication (NFC), offering “one touch connection” convenience with NFC-enabled tablets and smartphones. And when using Smart Remote Control (a feature allowing a smartphone to control shutter release), connection to the phone can be established by simply touching the “compatible devices” function.
The A7S also uses a multi-terminal interface shoe that is compatible with the company’s XLR Adaptor Microphone Kits, allowing users to tap into professional microphone systems.
Pros and Cons
One big benefit to using the A7S is that it can do 4K video recording through uncompressed HDMI. Despite its significantly lower megapixel count of 12, its sensor is still the same size as its predecessors, which entails that this new camera is good for low-light shooting. For the ISO sensitivities range, it runs from 100 all the way to a whopping 409,600, which works really well when shooting videos with dim light. It even shoots HD videos that are sharper than those of the A7 and the A7R, while being excellent at shooting in 1080 at 60 frames per second.
Because of its larger grip, the camera allows users to hold onto it better, and its refined menu system makes it easier to be operated than previous cameras from Sony.
When it comes to night video shoots, the A7S has near night vision with a direct sensor read-out that can capture details in low and bright light.
While there are great benefits to using the A7S, it also has its set of drawbacks, which is normal for most products. Though the larger grip allows for a better hold, it also makes the device slightly heavier than its predecessors. As the menu button is on the far left side, your right hand will not be able to reach it.
And though the A7S is able to shoot in 4K, this is really impossible to do without an external recorder that is not even on the market as of yet. So far, the only recorders that can be used with this camera’s 4K-via-HDMI output are those made for studio usage.
For the AF system, it cannot track moving subjects well, making them imprecise and blurry, though this can be solved by using wider lenses or stopping down the aperture. For its battery life, it is not quite long compared to competing cameras on the market today.
Final Thoughts
The Sony Alpha a7s with its gapless on-sensor microlenses and silent electronic shutter mode makes it a front-runner in terms of high sensitivity range and low noise performance. Its size, weight and durability is definitely appealing to videograhers who are always on the move or at the field. If you don’t mind bringing along an external recorder for 4K videos then this is the camera for you.
Lens
- Lens Mount
- Sony E-mount lenses
- Lens Compatibility
- Sony E-mount lenses, Sony A-mount lenses with optional LA-EA adapter
Sensor
- Sensor Type
- Full Frame Exmor™ CMOS sensor
- SENSOR
- 35 mm full frame Exmor® CMOS sensor
- Number Of Pixels (Effective)
- 12.2 MP
- Image Sensor Aspect Ratio
- 3 : 2
Recording (still images)
- Image Size (pixels), 3:2
- 35 mm full frame L: 4240 x 2832 (12M), M: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), S: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M), APS-C L: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), M: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M), S: 1376 x 920 (1.3M)
- Image Size (pixels), 16:9
- 35 mm full frame L: 4240 x 2384 (10M), M: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), S: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), APS-C L: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), M: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), S: 1376 x 776 (1.1M)
- Image Quality Modes
- RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Extra fine, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard
Recording (movie)
- Recording Format
- AVCHD 2.0 / MP4 / XAVC S (up to 1920 x 1080/50p 28 Mbps)
- Video Compression
- AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
- Image Size (pixels), NTSC*
- AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (60p/28 Mbps/PS, 60i/24 Mbps/FX, 60i/17 Mbps/FH, 24p/24 Mbps/FX, 24p/17 Mbps/FH), MP4: 1440 x 1080 (30 fps/12 Mbps), 640 x 480 (30 fps/3 Mbps), XAVC S: 1920 x 1080 (60p/50 Mbps, 30p/50 Mbps, 24p/50 Mbps), 1280 x 720 (120p/50 Mbps)
- Movie Functions
- Audio Level Display, Audio Rec Level, Auto Slow Shutter, HDMI info. Display (On/Off selectable), Time Code/User Bit, Clean HDMI output for 4K, Picture Profile, Creative Style, Picture Effect, Rec Control, Dual Video Rec, Marker Setting
Storage Media
- Compatible Recording Media
- Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant)
- Storage Media Slot
- Multi-card reader for Memory Stick Duo/SD memory cards
White Balance
- White Balance Modes
- Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White / Cool White / Day White / Daylight), Flash, Color Temperature (2500 to 9900 K) and Color Filter (G7 to M7: 15 steps, A7 to B7: 15 steps), Custom, Underwater
- AWB Micro Adjustment
- G7 to M7 (15 steps), A7 to B7 (15 steps)
Focus
- Focus Type
- Contrast-detection AF
- Focus Point
- 25 points
- Focus Sensitivity Range
- EV -4 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)
- AF Mode
- Single-shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus
- Focus Area
- Wide (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Zone
- AF Illuminator
- —
Exposure
- Metering Type
- 1200-zone evaluative metering
- Metering Sensitivity
- EV -3 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)
- Metering Mode
- Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
- Exposure Modes
- AUTO (iAUTO, Superior Auto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Scene Selection, Sweep Panorama, Movie
- ISO Sensitivity
- Expanded ISO Sensitivity Range ISO 50-409600*1
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type
- 0.5″ electronic viewfinder (color)
- Magnification
- Approx. 0.71x (with 50 mm lens at infinity, -1m)
LCD Screen
- Screen Type
- 3.0 in type TFT LCD
- Total Number of Dots
- 921,600 dots
- Brightness Control (LCD)
- Manual ( 5 steps between -2 and +2 ), Sunny Weather mode
- Focus Magnifier
- 35 mm full frame: 4.2x, 8.3x, APS-C: 2.7x, 5.4x
- Peaking MF
- Yes (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow)
Shutter
- Shutter Type
- Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
- Shutter Speed
- Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 step), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto Slow Shutter mode), Still images: 1/8000 to 30 s, Bulb
- Electronic Front Curtain Shutter
- Yes
- Silent Shooting
- Yes (On/Off)
Image Stabilization
- Steadyshot
- Not supported (image stabilization supported on lens)
Drive
- Drive Modes
- 3/5 exposures selectable), Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance, DRO), Single shooting, Continuous shooting, Speed Priority Continuous shooting, Self-timer (10/2 s delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.) (10 s delay
- Continues Shooting
- 5 fps (in Speed Priority Continuous Shooting mode)
Interface
- PC Interface
- Mass-storage, MTP, PC remote
- HD Output
- HDMI micro connector (Type-D), BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD, 4K still image playback
- Multi Interface Shoe
- Yes
- Others
- Microphone terminal (1/8 in stereo minijack), Headphone terminal (1/8 in stereo minijack), vertical grip connector
- Auto-lock Accessory Shoe
- Autolock Accessory Shoe compatible with supplied shoe adapter
- Interfaces
- Headphone minijack, Microphone minijack, Multi/Micro USB Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Vertical Grip Connector
Audio
- Microphone
- Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-XYST1M / XLR-K1M (sold separately)
- Speaker
- Built-in, monaural
Power
- Supplied Battery
- NP-FW50 W-series Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Battery Life (CIPA, Still Images)
- Up to 380 shots
- Battery Life (CIPA, Movies)
- Actual: Approx. 55 min with viewfinder, approx. 60 min with LCD screen (CIPA standard), Continuous: Approx. 90 min with viewfinder, approx. 90 min with LCD screen (CIPA standard)
- External Power
- AC adapter AC-PW20 (optional)
Size & Weight
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 5.00 x 3.72 x 1.90 mm
- Weight
- 15.73 oz (body only) / 17.25 oz (with battery and media)
Operating temperature
- Range
- 32–104°F / 0–40°C
WiFi® & NFC
- Wireless & Network Capabilities
- Downloadable Camera Apps, NFC One-touch functionality, Wi-Fi®®
Color Options
What’s In The Box
- Rechargeable Battery (NP-FW50)
- Cable Protector
- AC Adaptor (AC-UUD11)
- Battery charger (BC-TRW)
- Shoulder strap
- Body cap
- Accessory shoe cap
- Eyepiece cup
- Micro USB cable
Unboxing the Sony Alpha a7S
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