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Sony a7S

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.4
based on all reviews
User ratings:
45
4.4 out of 5
45 user ratings
5 stars
53 %
4 stars
35 %
3 stars
11 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Consumer ratings:
4.5 / 5
Editorial reviews:
40
  1. See more
4.3 out of 5
16 user ratings
5 stars
31 %
4 stars
68 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • achieved higher results for color sensitivity and dynamic range
  • the scores are very good
  • -- excellent recommendation

Cons

  • too cheap to be a semi-pro camera
  • video is not important
  • The sensor gets hotter and starts to become noisier

Key specs

  • CMOS
  • APS-C
  • 35.8x23.9 mm
  • 12 Mpx
  • 4240, 2832 px
  • E mount
  • Centre weighted Auto Focus, Continuous Auto Focus, Flexible Spot Auto Focus, Single Auto Focus
  • 3.0 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Sony

Sony a7S - Pros & Cons

Sony a7S

Pros

  • achieved higher results for color sensitivity and dynamic range
  • the scores are very good
  • -- excellent recommendation
  • reasonable price
  • make it easy to shoot compelling lifestyle images
  • truly enjoy and appreciate them as fine cameras
  • Full frame cameras are great
  • D780 is a tremendously well-rounded camera
  • a modern codec and performs very well
  • Canon focuses better in low light and the kit lens is far better
  • Very informative

Cons

  • too cheap to be a semi-pro camera
  • video is not important
  • The sensor gets hotter and starts to become noisier
  • Pentax AF is not semi-pro
  • that are too expensive to fit in the lower price ranges
  • vs spending too much time here straining at gnats
  • huge
  • expensive and special-purpose lens
  • missing a red dot
  • all my lens bring DX would not work with full frame
  • 4K file size is really not that big with modern day compression

Sony a7S - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
409600
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4240 x 2832 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Sony - Video Reviews (9)

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Sony a7S - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCMOS
Image sensor formatAPS-C
Sensor size1.41 in
Sensor photo detectors12.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Max resolution4240 x 2832 px
Other resolutions
  • 4240x2384
  • 2768x1848
  • 2768x1560
  • 2128x1416
  • 2128x1200
  • 1376x920
  • 1376x776
ProcessorBIONZ X
Icon
Optics and focus
Lens mountE mount
Digital zoom4.0 x
Magnification (Crop factor)1.0 x
AF assist (auto-focus assist light)Lamp
Focus adjustmentAuto/Manual
Contrast autofocusyes
Contrast adjustmentyes
Saturation adjustmentyes
Autofocus in recording modeyes
Focal length multiplier1x
Autofocus
  • Centre weighted Auto Focus
  • Continuous Auto Focus
  • Flexible Spot Auto Focus
  • Single Auto Focus
Auto Focus (AF) lockyes
Manual focusyes
Number of focus points25
Image stabiliserLens based only
Filter diameter2.64 in
Phase detection autofocusno
Number of AF points (contrast)25
Icon
Photography features
Camera shutter typeElectronic
Minimum shutter speed30.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Number of exposures3
Exposure compensation plus5
Exposure compensation minus-5
Expousure compensation steps
  • 1/3
  • 1/2
Auto exposure lockyes
AE EV steps
  • 1/3
  • 1/2
  • 2/3
  • 1
  • 2
Continuous shootingyes
Self-timer delay10.0 s
Histogramyes
AE frames
  • 3
  • 5
WB BracketingYes
Subject / scene modesyes
Flash sync speed1/250s
Built-in flashyes
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Flash OFF
  • High-speed Sync
  • Pre-flash
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flash connectionHot shoe
Flash metering systemTTL
External flashyes
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Scene modes
  • Night landscape
  • Night portrait
  • Portrait
  • Sports
  • Sunset
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Manual settingsyes
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 10
Speed (JPEG)5.0 fps
Speed (RAW)5.0 fps
Exposure bracketing0.3 - 2.0±EV
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Built-in speakersyes
Speaker typeMono
Voice recordingyes
Audio systemMono
Supported audio file formats
  • AC3
  • LPCM
Noise reductionyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight15.73 oz
Width5.0 in
Height1.9 in
Depth3.72 in
Icon
Power
Power source typeBattery
Battery life (CIPA)340
Battery technologyLithium
Number of batteries supported1
AC adapter includedyes
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingno
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 50
  • 409600
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum409600
Boosted ISO minimum50
Maximum image resolution4240 x 2832 px
White balance presets10
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom modes
  • Daylight
  • Flash
  • Fluorescent
  • Incandescent
  • Shade
  • Underwater
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • JPG
  • RAW
Photo effectsBlack&White
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeNo
Supported aspect ratios
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Uncompressed formatRAW
HDRyes
AEB/HDR supportyes
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDyes
Screen technologyLCD TFT
Screen dots921000
Touch screenno
Live viewyes
ViewfinderElectronic
Viewfinder screen size0.5 in
Viewfinder coverage100.0 %
Viewfinder resolution2400000.0 px
Viewfinder magnification0.71 x
Separate info displayno
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px
Video recordingyes
Recording resolutions
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
HD typeFull HD
Supported video file formats
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Camera playback
  • Movie
  • Single image
  • Slide show
Max resolution (highest frame rate)1280 x 720
Max frame rate (highest resolution)60.0 fps
Max frame rate (regardless of res.)120.0 fps
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeMILC
Body materialAluminum-magnesium
Colour of productBlack
Anti-dust systemyes
Environmentally sealedyes
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • MS Pro Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • Memory Stick Pro Duo
  • Memory Stick Duo
  • Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Camera file system
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • RAW
Icon
Connectivity
micro-HDMI port with 4:2:2 8-bit 4K or 1080 video outputyes
HDMI connector typeMicro
USB connector typeMicro-USB B
USB version2.0
Headphone portyes
Microphone portyes
WirelessBuilt-In
Supported WiFi types
  • IEEE 802.11b
  • IEEE 802.11g
  • IEEE 802.11n
Remote controlyes
PictBridgeno
NFCyes
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)yes
Bluetoothno
Firewireno

Sony a7S - Q&A

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Sony a7S Sony - Editorial Reviews (40)

4.3
Based on 40 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Sony a7S Sony Alpha 7S Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 02.03.2015
Sony Alpha 7S Review
4.3

The a7S is the third model in Sony's full-frame mirrorless lineup, a 12MP camera that puts as much emphasis on its movie capture capabilities as its still image prowess. While the a7S is a capable still shooter, Sony has emphasized that its real focus (no pun intended) is videography.

Sony a7S Sony A7S III review: The best mirrorless camera for video, and almost everything else
Engadget logo
Engadget
Published: 04.11.2020
Sony A7S III review: The best mirrorless camera for video, and almost everything else

Sony’s 12.1-megapixel A7S III was worth the five-year wait.

Sony a7S Sony A7S III review: The mirrorless magic
India Today logo
India Today
Published: 06.04.2021
Sony A7S III review: The mirrorless magic

Priced at Rs 3,34,990 for the body only, Sony A7S III features a new image processing engine, a touchscreen display, and brings few other changes to button placement.

Sony a7S Sony A7s II sensor review: Low-light performance redefined
DXOMARK logo
DXOMARK
Published: 11.12.2015
Sony A7s II sensor review: Low-light performance redefined

The new Sony A7S II is the upgrade to the A7S and offers ultra-high sensitivity up to ISO409600 and 5-axis stabilization in what promises to be an impressive available-light camera. In addition, the A7S II builds on its predecessor’s video credentials, adding 4K (UHD) internal and Full HD video up to 120 fps. Read on to find out how well the sensor in this new model performs.

Sony a7S Sony Alpha 7S sensor review: New low–light champ
DXOMARK logo
DXOMARK
Published: 17.06.2014
Sony Alpha 7S sensor review: New low–light champ

If you read the forums on colleagues’ sites lots of users lament the selling of their old full-frame Canon EOS 5D, Nikon D700 or even their bulky Nikon D3 or D3s. Practically every user, so it seems, says their pictures from those old models had something special that the newer models lack.  Sony think they may be on to something and have introduced the A7S a full-frame model with a newly-developed 12.2-Mpix CMOS sensor. Read on to find out well this new model performs?

Sony a7S Sony Alpha A7S Video Performance Review
Reviewed Cameras logo
Reviewed Cameras
Published: 13.08.2014
Sony Alpha A7S Video Performance Review

The 4K future is here, but is anyone ready?

Sony a7S High-end full frame roundup (2014)
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 07.12.2014
High-end full frame roundup (2014)

Which high-end full-frame camera should I buy? This roundup contains the majority of current full-frame camera offerings available. Full-frame cameras have image sensors as large as a frame of 35mm film, and for good reason: larger sensors offer the potential for better image quality, low light performance, and dynamic range. If you want a drastic upgrade to the image quality of your phone, or portraits with superior subject to background separation, it’s hard to beat what full-frame offers.

Sony a7S Sony A7s Review: The New King of Full-Frame Video
Gizmodo logo
Gizmodo
Published: 15.07.2014
Sony A7s Review: The New King of Full-Frame Video

Sony's moves in the field of consumer electronics can seem genius at times, and baffling at others. Its new full-frame mirrorless camera, the A7s, is a little bit of both. It's a camera that looks and functions exactly as previous A7 models, but with a few very specific, and exciting, features especially suited to video shooters.

Sony a7S Sony's A7S Adventure Tested: The Ultimate Low-Light Mirrorless Camera?
Gizmodo Australia logo
Gizmodo Australia
Published: 29.09.2015
Sony's A7S Adventure Tested: The Ultimate Low-Light Mirrorless Camera?  

I’ve been dragging the Sony A7S on all of my adventures for the last few months — shooting in broad daylight and the dead of night. It’s gotten dirty; even dropped. Here’s how it performed. Earlier this year while riding a $US450 motorcycle through Vietnam, I lost my backpack along...

Sony a7S A Review of the Sony a7S III In the Field
Fstoppers logo
Fstoppers
Published: 12.03.2022
A Review of the Sony a7S III In the Field

I am not a Sony shooter, but, for the last couple of months, I’ve gotten a chance to play with the Sony a7S III and use it for an assortment of projects. Here are my impressions from the outside looking in. The other day I was having coffee with my mentor from the American Society of Cinematographers. He’s a very well-established cinematographer responsible for the looks of several highly-regarded movies and TV shows. So, I tend to listen to pretty much everything he says in search of any nuggets of advice I can use in my own work. I can ask him anything.

Sony a7S Sony A7S III review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 28.07.2020
Sony A7S III review
5.0

A finely tuned low-light 4K champion

Sony a7S Sony A7S III review: the best mirrorless camera for video money can buy
WIRED UK logo
WIRED UK
Published: 19.10.2020
Sony A7S III review: the best mirrorless camera for video money can buy

This stellar performer packed with features, simpler to use than previous generations and built like a tank makes Sony’s video-centric camera a fantastic tool – and a filmmaker’s dream

Sony a7S Sony Alpha A7s - Cameralabs
Cameralabs logo
Cameralabs
Published: 07.04.2014
Sony Alpha A7s - Cameralabs

The Sony Alpha A7s is a mirrorless system camera with a full-frame sensor. Announced in April 2014 it comes six months after the Alpha A7 and A7r, with all three sharing the same compact body, FE lens mount and full-frame sensor size. What makes the A7s different from its siblings is its resolution and video…

Sony a7S Sony A7s First Impressions - Luminous Landscape
Luminous Landscape logo
Luminous Landscape
Published: 18.06.2014
Sony A7s First Impressions - Luminous Landscape

First impressions of the Sony A7s and comparison to the Sony A7r

Sony a7S Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 / Sony Alpha 7S Comparative Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 26.08.2014
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 / Sony Alpha 7S Comparative Review
4.3

As video cameras go, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 and Sony Alpha 7S are very DSLR-like in shape. A four-fold difference in sensor size, and a significant gulf in price suggests this may be the only similarity. However, in terms of intent, they're not as different as all this might lead you to expect. We've already had a quick look at the new features of the GH4 but here we're going to test the two cameras side-by-side - not necessarily to find a single 'winner' but to see where each camera's strengths and weaknesses lie.

Often compared with Sony a7S