🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 78 (from laksa096)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa078.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review","crawl_time":1775891898,"first_indexed_time":1666876621,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,livescience!www,\/sony-a7-iii-review s443","src_root_hash":"4110033003681956278","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Sony A7 III review | Live Science","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Live Science Verdict\nThe Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down.\nPros\n+\nAffordable and powerful\n+\nGreat low light performance\n+\nShoot while USB charging\nCons\n-\nTilt-only screen\n-\nMenu system is unfriendly\n-\nMinor \"star eater\" issue\nWhy you can trust Live Science\nOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you.\nFind out more about how we test.\nJump to:\nDesign\nFunctionality\nPerformance\nShould you buy?\nAlternatives\nKey specifications\nType:\n Mirrorless\nSensor:\n 24.2MP full frame CMOS\nLens mount:\n Sony E\nISO range:\n 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800)\nViewfinder resolution:\n 2.36m dots\nVideo capability:\n 4K 30p \/ 1080p 120p\nWeight:\n 1.43lbs\nSize:\n 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches\nMemory card type:\n 2x SD\nIf you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video \/ low light specialist. \nThe A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the\nbest astrophotography cameras\nas well. \nLatest Videos From Live Science\nWith its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations. \nTwilight image taken using Sony A7 III.\n(Image credit: James Artaius)\nSony A7 III review: Design\nCompact and lightweight\nOptional battery grip\nAutofocus point joystick\nLike the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake! \nThere's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera.\nThere are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers.\nSign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now\nGet the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.\nAs with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around.\nOur reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III.\n(Image credit: James Artaius)\nSony A7S III review: Functionality\nBack-side illuminated sensor\nUSB charging while shooting\nHybrid autofocus system\nEven though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light. \nOne of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry.\nThe autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9).\nPhoto of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III.\n(Image credit: James Artaius)\nSony A7S III review: Performance\n13 stops dynamic range\nVery low noise\nBeware \"star eating\"\nWhile we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail. \nThe back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition. \nLike other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the \"star eater\" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of.\nPhoto of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III.\n(Image credit: James Artaius)\nSony A7 III review: Should you buy?\nForget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release.\nWe wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results.\nPortrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III.\n(Image credit: James Artaius)\nIf this product isn't for you\nThe current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the\nCanon EOS Ra\n, though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified\nEOS R\ninto a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused. \nThose sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the\nZWO ASI183MC (Color)\n. This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response. \nAnd if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the\nSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra\n. It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f\/1.8 primary and f\/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode. \nJames Artaius\nThe editor of\nDigital Camera World\n, James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as\nDigital Camera Magazine\n, \nPhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine\n, \nN-Photo: The Nikon Magazine\n, \nDigital Photographer\nand\nProfessional Imagemaker\n, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at\nThe Photography Show\n. An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras.\nBack To Top","attrs_markdown":"![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p\/?c1=2&c2=10055482&cv=4.4.0&cj=1)\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#main)\n\n![Background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/mqlcl6p9ca1767779103.jpg)\n\nWelcome   to Live Science Plus \\!\n\nHi ,\n\nYour membership journey starts here.\n\nKeep exploring and earning more as a 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[Should you buy?](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-should-you-buy)\n- [Alternatives](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you)\n\nDon't miss these\n\n[![the gibbous moon photographed through the branches of a blossom tree](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ogwZYV5RgVMkMjKKPvcnY9.jpg) Optics Here's the stargazing gear you need for April 2026 — don't miss the Lyrids, two comets and the full moon](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/heres-the-stargazing-gear-you-need-for-april-2026-dont-miss-the-lyrids-two-comets-and-the-full-moon \"Here's the stargazing gear you need for April 2026 — don't miss the Lyrids, two comets and the full moon\")\n\n[![A close-up picture of our reviewer\\&\\#039;s hand wearing three smart rings ](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snpubKrm9sFyoXKGDwY8vP.jpg) Health & Fitness Best smart rings 2026: Our top 3 sleep and fitness tracker rings, tried and tested](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/health\/best-smart-rings \"Best smart rings 2026: Our top 3 sleep and fitness tracker rings, tried and tested\")\n\n[![Three of the best star projectors on a colorful background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EHC7LXPWRLQrTdbNQZnLjA.jpg) Tech & Gadgets Best star projectors 2026: Bring the cosmos indoors](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/space\/best-star-projectors \"Best star projectors 2026: Bring the cosmos indoors\")\n\n[![Our expert reviewer testing the Renpho Elis 1 smart scale](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4gRjFzQFzaKQxk3JrzyG9M.jpg) Health & Fitness Best smart scales 2026: Track body composition in the comfort of your home](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-smart-scales \"Best smart scales 2026: Track body composition in the comfort of your home\")\n\n[![A woman in a hide using a camera and telephoto lens](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pnQLd6EXBtFJgy2gDLaNQV.jpg) Technology Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-cameras-for-wildlife-photography \"Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro\")\n\n[![Our expert reviewer testing the map feature on the Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatch](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AAJ59DMXnNpt7mpWmh4Dzm.jpg) Exercise Best Garmin watches 2026: From fitness bands to adventure smartwatches](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-garmin-watches \"Best Garmin watches 2026: From fitness bands to adventure smartwatches \")\n\n[![A picture of our reviewer\\&\\#039;s Renpho Morphoscan Nova smart scale, a view from the top](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kzGpEj5zPtJUzTgLCLfaQC.jpg) Health & Fitness Renpho Morphoscan Nova smart scale review: Deep-dive body analysis](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/health-fitness\/renpho-morphoscan-nova-smart-scale-review \"Renpho Morphoscan Nova smart scale review: Deep-dive body analysis\")\n\n[![telescope against a starry sky](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VtkGQvZhCU3M7qtRnriPNZ.jpg) Optics Best telescopes 2026: See the blood moon eclipse in stunning detail](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-telescopes \"Best telescopes 2026: See the blood moon eclipse in stunning detail\")\n\n[![Kimberley Lane, author of this article, can be seen using a camera and telephoto lens in a remote location](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tsg8PjxtUPuxH29ntcxCad.jpg) Optics Best lenses for wildlife photography 2026 — catch wildlife up close](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/best-lenses-for-wildlife-photography \"Best lenses for wildlife photography 2026 — catch wildlife up close\")\n\n[![Our expert reviewer testing the workout features on the Garmin Fenix 8 smartwatch](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qJuirjNquuaVXNzQxuwaYM.jpg) Exercise Best fitness trackers 2026: From smart rings to multisport GPS watches](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-fitness-tracker \"Best fitness trackers 2026: From smart rings to multisport GPS watches\")\n\n[![two people stood next to tripod mounted binoculars against the night sky](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KJB3yex5C7ZHhZUJk2EBZm.jpg) Optics Best binoculars for stargazing 2026: See the blood moon eclipse](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-binoculars-for-stargazing \"Best binoculars for stargazing 2026: See the blood moon eclipse\")\n\n[![Jase Parnell-Brookes using binoculars](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cuNn3qJ4FnEBMNUpP9T5AN.jpg) Optics Best binoculars for bird-watching 2026: Eyes on the skies](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/animals\/best-binoculars-for-bird-watching \"Best binoculars for bird-watching 2026: Eyes on the skies\")\n\n[![Jase Parnell Brookes using a pair of binoculars](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VX4u6yUskC7FGuy3VqaNb9.jpg) Optics Best binoculars 2026: Our picks for stargazing, bird-watching and observing wildlife](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-binoculars \"Best binoculars 2026: Our picks for stargazing, bird-watching and observing wildlife\")\n\n[![telescope, binoculars, camera and lens on a blue background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsuEohHLjHBok2mxMPh78Q.jpg) Optics Amazon's Spring Sale is already better than Black Friday — and there are loads of stargazing deals you won't want to miss](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/amazon-spring-sale-2026-stargazing-deals-on-telescopes-cameras-and-binoculars \"Amazon's Spring Sale is already better than Black Friday — and there are loads of stargazing deals you won't want to miss\")\n\n[![Markarian’s Chain and the Virgo Cluster ](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ksHGBjpSWhMin4qQn884GX.jpg) Optics 7 best deep-sky targets to observe this galaxy season](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/7-deep-sky-targets-we-think-you-should-observe-this-galaxy-season \"7 best deep-sky targets to observe this galaxy season\")\n\nTrending\n\n- [Artemis II](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/tag\/artemis-2)\n- [How humans adapted to survive everywhere](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/archaeology\/human-evolution\/they-could-spend-4-or-5-hours-per-day-underwater-how-humans-adapted-to-the-most-challenging-environments)\n- [Scientists map all clitoris nerves first time](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/health\/anatomy\/scientists-mapped-all-the-nerves-of-the-clitoris-for-the-first-time)\n- [Finland's new 'sand battery'](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/engineering\/we-went-to-finland-to-hear-about-the-new-sand-battery-that-will-turn-stored-renewable-energy-back-into-power-for-the-electrical-grid)\n\n1. [Technology](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology)\n\n# Sony A7 III review\n## The Sony A7 III is an all-purpose workhorse, and a favorite among photographers of multiple disciplines. Is this still the everyman camera to beat?\n[Reviews](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/reviews)\n\nBy [James Artaius](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/author\/james-artaius)\n\npublished\n\nOctober 27, 2022\n\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Here’s how it works](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/about-live-science#section-affiliate-advertising-disclosure).\n\n![Reviewer holding Sony A7 III](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RojX7YJXwXzeTGsXktdtu6.jpg)\n\n(Image credit: © James Artaius)\n\n### Live Science Verdict\nThe Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down.\n\n[\\$1,110 at Adorama](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-3344618159375744651\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n\n[\\$1,690 at Best Buy](https:\/\/bestbuy.7tiv.net\/c\/1943169\/614286\/10014?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-1549426503339118281&prodsku=10765398&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fproduct%2Fsony-alpha-7-iii-mirrorless-4k-video-camera-body-only-black%2FJ7XSRH4G3W&intsrc=CATF_21610)\n\n[\\$1,698 at Sweetwater](https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/c\/221109\/937020\/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-6627117336408400370&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338)\n\n[\\$1,698 at Amazon](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n#### Pros\n- \\+\n  Affordable and powerful\n- \\+\n  Great low light performance\n- \\+\n  Shoot while USB charging\n\n#### Cons\n- \\-\n  Tilt-only screen\n- \\-\n  Menu system is unfriendly\n- \\-\n  Minor \"star eater\" issue\n\nBest picks for you\n\n- [Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography in 2026](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/best-beginner-cameras-for-astrophotography)\n- [Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-cameras-for-wildlife-photography)\n- [Best astrophotography cameras 2026: Capture the lunar eclipse](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-astrophotography-cameras)\n\nWhy you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. [Find out more about how we test.](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/how-we-test)\n\nJump to:\n\n- [Design](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-design)\n- [Functionality](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-functionality)\n- [Performance](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-performance)\n- [Should you buy?](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-should-you-buy)\n- [Alternatives](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you)\n\nKey specifications\n\n**Type:** Mirrorless  \n**Sensor:** 24.2MP full frame CMOS  \n**Lens mount:** Sony E  \n**ISO range:** 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800)  \n**Viewfinder resolution:** 2.36m dots  \n**Video capability:** 4K 30p \/ 1080p 120p  \n**Weight:** 1.43lbs  \n**Size:** 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches  \n**Memory card type:** 2x SD\n\nIf you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video \/ low light specialist.\n\nThe Sony A7 III was released in 2018, which seems like an eternity in camera years. So is it still worth recommending, especially when the Sony A7 IV has recently launched? The answer is a definite yes. While the A7 IV is a formidable camera, which outdoes its forebear in almost every way, accordingly it comes with a significant price tag.\n\nThe A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the [best astrophotography cameras](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-astrophotography-cameras) as well.\n\nLatest Videos From Live Science\n\nWith its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations.\n\n![Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QNhn737QBzwcsaMoFyGkD9.jpg)\n\nTwilight image taken using Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n\n- [Sony Alpha A7 III at Adorama for \\$1,110](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-1269325403761661586\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n### Sony A7 III review: Design\n- **Compact and lightweight**\n- **Optional battery grip**\n- **Autofocus point joystick**\n\nLike the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake\\!\n\nThere's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera.\n\nThere are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers.\n\nSign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now\n\nGet the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.\n\nBy signing up, you agree to our [Terms of services](https:\\\/\\\/futureplc.com\\\/terms-conditions\\\/)  and acknowledge that you have read our [Privacy Notice](https:\\\/\\\/futureplc.com\\\/privacy-policy\\\/). You also agree to receive marketing emails from us that may include promotions from our trusted partners and sponsors, which you can unsubscribe from at any time.\n\nAs with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around.\n\n![Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zubDPhDDcBBobXh8GR5Qf7.jpg)\n\nOur reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n## Sony A7S III review: Functionality\n- **Back-side illuminated sensor**\n- **USB charging while shooting**\n- **Hybrid autofocus system**\n\nEven though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light.\n\nOne of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry.\n\nThe autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9).\n\n![Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dFpE4hMkEK8Ku8wQwLY9p5.jpg)\n\nPhoto of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n## Sony A7S III review: Performance\n- **13 stops dynamic range**\n- **Very low noise**\n- **Beware \"star eating\"**\n\nWhile we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail.\n\nThe back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition.\n\nLike other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the \"star eater\" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of.\n\n![Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zLS2fP46qdBhsLqdZhfhjB.jpg)\n\nPhoto of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n### Sony A7 III review: Should you buy?\nForget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release.\n\nWe wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results.\n\nToday's best Sony Alpha A7 III deals\n\n[1 Amazon customer review](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Freviews%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2733303588332163705-20)\n\n☆☆☆☆☆\n\n[![Sony Alpha a7 III 24MP UHD 4K...](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/products\/3922994b471196ef948b94052b5812f8bc628a53-100-80.jpg.webp)](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-1401166277768398691\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n\n[![Adorama](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/nylnym9ruhfgsvhg-17597360977629-100-80.png.webp)](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-1401166277768398691\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n\n[\\$1,110](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-1401166277768398691\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n\n[View](https:\/\/adorama.prf.hn\/click\/camref:1101l5pnyB\/pubref:livescience-us-1401166277768398691\/creativeref:1110l15401\/destination:https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only\/p\/us1972304)\n\n[![Sony Alpha 7 III Full-frame...](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/products\/a7441b14260bf41c4afaa6bebe059beed3346721-100-80.jpg.webp)](https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/c\/221109\/937020\/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-2793832209062642126&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338)\n\n[![Sweetwater](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/logos\/merchants\/gdfcojlm6jgtjadx-15870339069083-100-80.png.webp)](https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/c\/221109\/937020\/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-2793832209062642126&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338)\n\n[\\$1,698](https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/c\/221109\/937020\/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-2793832209062642126&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338)\n\n[View](https:\/\/sweetwater.sjv.io\/c\/221109\/937020\/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-2793832209062642126&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338)\n\n[![Sony ILC](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/products\/76b7632ea3c241436a558a078a453483807a96b1-100-80.jpg.webp)](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n[![Amazon](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/logos\/merchants\/amazon-us-15006529670367-100-80.png.webp)](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n[\\$1,999.99](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n[\\$1,698](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n[View](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\nShow more\n\nWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices\n\n![Portrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GZDK5rtWJGnPtGeHQZRZYA.jpg)\n\nPortrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n### If this product isn't for you\nThe current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the **Canon EOS Ra**, though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified [**EOS R**](https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/click-9088230-13505864?sid=livescience-us-6872551767217928866&url=https:\/\/www.usa.canon.com\/shop\/p\/eos-r) into a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused.\n\nThose sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the [**ZWO ASI183MC (Color)**](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FZWO-ASI183MC-Astronomy-Camera-ASI183MC-P%2Fdp%2FB07BPRLBP2%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-1739727103393277737-20). This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response.\n\nAnd if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the [**Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra**](https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=47773&u1=livescience-us-1008167158582604895&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsmartphones%2Fgalaxy-s22-ultra%2F). It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f\/1.8 primary and f\/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode.\n\nToday's best deals on alternatives\n\n[![ZWO ASI183MC 20.18 MP CMOS...](https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/512NcXjs1PL._SL500_.jpg)](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07BPV6R1K%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Dogi%26th%3D1%26psc%3D1%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20)\n\n[ZWO 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(US)](https:\/\/images.fie.futurecdn.net\/rgdker6hsayzugrm-17211272801503-100-80.jpg.webp)](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/pclick.php?clickref=livescience-us-1434000016454439618&p=37678875990&a=103504&m=18275)\n\n[\\$1,299.99](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/pclick.php?clickref=livescience-us-1434000016454439618&p=37678875990&a=103504&m=18275)\n\n[\\$278.19](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/pclick.php?clickref=livescience-us-1434000016454439618&p=37678875990&a=103504&m=18275)\n\n[View](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/pclick.php?clickref=livescience-us-1434000016454439618&p=37678875990&a=103504&m=18275)\n\n[See all prices](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/deals\/compare?model_name=Samsung%20Galaxy%20S22%20Ultra&article_id=6ajbGq5ke9Edg25TiKzTzH)\n\nWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices\n\nSony Alpha A7 III: Price Comparison\n\n[1 Amazon customer review](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8428&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Freviews%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2733303588332163705-20)\n\n☆☆☆☆☆\n\n[![Sony Alpha a7 III 24MP UHD 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more\n\nWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices\n\npowered by\n\n![Live Science](https:\/\/search-api.fie.futurecdn.net\/img\/sites\/svg\/livescience.svg)\n\n![James Artaius](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rZQ4BfaEVJaH5Na8sD53cT.jpg)\n\n[James Artaius](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/author\/james-artaius)\n\nSocial Links Navigation\n\nThe editor of [Digital Camera World](http:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/), James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as [*Digital Camera Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-3007255495896184000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936429%2Fdigital-camera-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-6565833657202343000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936659%2Fphotoplus-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-4247458655152168000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936619%2Fnphoto-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*Digital Photographer*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-1487400588188809500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936439%2Fdigital-photographer-magazine-subscription.thtml) and *Professional Imagemaker*, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at [The Photography Show](https:\/\/www.photographyshow.com\/). An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras.\n\n[Back To Top](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review)\n\nRead more\n\n[![Sony A7 IV on a green background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zyq5ZwBLqhBYZbCwLxn4MT.jpg) Technology Capture 2026's space and astronomy highlights with one of our favorite astrophotography cameras — the Sony Alpha 7 IV has 20% off at Amazon](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/capture-2026s-space-and-astronomy-highlights-with-one-of-our-favorite-astrophotography-cameras-the-sony-alpha-7-iv-has-20-percent-off-at-amazon \"Capture 2026's space and astronomy highlights with one of our favorite astrophotography cameras — the Sony Alpha 7 IV has 20% off at Amazon\")\n\n[![person using a camera on a tripod against the milky way](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HUqiQKdrjqcR2mUXSpToNk.jpg) Optics Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography in 2026](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/best-beginner-cameras-for-astrophotography \"Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography in 2026\")\n\n[![A woman in a hide using a camera and telephoto lens](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pnQLd6EXBtFJgy2gDLaNQV.jpg) Technology Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-cameras-for-wildlife-photography \"Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro\")\n\n[![woman using a beginner camera](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4LpUJP5oup4arDCujae6Tg.jpg) Optics Best beginner cameras 2026](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/best-beginner-cameras \"Best beginner cameras 2026\")\n\n[![Canon EOS R7 sample](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CDcXuaJfambiyqmgAckgFG.jpg) Optics Best APS-C and Micro Four-Thirds cameras for astrophotography](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/best-aps-c-and-micro-four-thirds-cameras-for-astrophotography \"Best APS-C and Micro Four-Thirds cameras for astrophotography\")\n\n[![silhouette of a person using a camera on a tripod against a star trail background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CmQN6HoqbRxLmXBhvYrRaL.jpg) Optics Best lenses for astrophotography 2026 — capture the cosmos in detail](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/best-lenses-for-astrophotography \"Best lenses for astrophotography 2026 — capture the cosmos in detail\")\n\nLatest in Technology\n\n[![Conceptual illustration of the new generation of sand batteries, with people standing around buildings in a forest.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN9RdBTijsKcHCaLxsBnc.jpg) Engineering We went to Finland to hear about the new 'sand battery' that will turn stored renewable energy back into power for the electrical grid](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/engineering\/we-went-to-finland-to-hear-about-the-new-sand-battery-that-will-turn-stored-renewable-energy-back-into-power-for-the-electrical-grid \"We went to Finland to hear about the new 'sand battery' that will turn stored renewable energy back into power for the electrical grid\")\n\n[![An illustration of a grid of blue squares with floating yellow dots over them with a zoom out of the grid on the right](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LbrLw7xKSfrP2T4wTpAVRA.jpg) Quantum Computing Quantum computers need just 10,000 qubits — not the millions we assumed — to break the world's most secure encryption algorithms](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/quantum\/quantum-computers-need-just-10-000-qubits-not-the-millions-we-assumed-to-break-the-worlds-most-secure-encryption-algorithms \"Quantum computers need just 10,000 qubits — not the millions we assumed — to break the world's most secure encryption algorithms\")\n\n[![Spirals of bright green and purple particles swirl clockwise over a navy blue background](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bV9aDvTM6a6xTtBdjyx2oa.jpg) Quantum Computing IBM quantum processor achieves highest fidelity calculations for the longest period of time on record](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/quantum\/ibm-quantum-processor-achieves-highest-fidelity-calculations-for-the-longest-period-of-time-on-record \"IBM quantum processor achieves highest fidelity calculations for the longest period of time on record\")\n\n[![Four white security cameras are mounted in a cross-shape at the top of a street pole.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KhYxMHTfmCEkBx9B8c38dS.jpg) Artificial Intelligence AI systems are enabling mass surveillance in the US, and there is no national law that 'meaningfully limits' the use of this data](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/technology\/artificial-intelligence\/cameras-have-quietly-appeared-in-thousands-of-us-cities-now-their-integration-with-ai-is-sounding-alarms-opinion \"AI systems are enabling mass surveillance in the US, and there is no national law that 'meaningfully limits' the use of this data\")\n\n[![A man in a suit, surrounded by others, leaves a court building. ](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bXLE9B7uxNfqZuysXZUHpG.jpg) Technology Live Science Today: Meta and Google fined for causing social media addiction and how dogs were our friends for millennia](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/live-science-today-meta-and-google-fined-for-causing-social-media-addiction-and-how-dogs-were-our-friends-for-millennia \"Live Science Today: Meta and Google fined for causing social media addiction and how dogs were our friends for millennia\")\n\n[![A screenshot of a virtual reality setting where cartoon people walk around a museum of virtual 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What's really going on with the embattled idea of living in virtual worlds.\")\n\nLatest in Reviews\n\n[![Laifen Wave Pro toothbrush during review](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6uuVjdoqDtv45UeL8N8JZP.jpg) Health & Fitness Laifen Wave Pro electric toothbrush review: A perfect all-rounder](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/health-fitness\/laifen-wave-pro-electric-toothbrush-review \"Laifen Wave Pro electric toothbrush review: A perfect all-rounder\")\n\n[![a close-up picture of our reviewer wearing the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 smartwatch](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hAtPotJTukGEk4h9GNuKba.jpg) Health & Fitness Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 early review: One of the best-value outdoor smartwatches released this year](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/health-fitness\/amazfit-t-rex-ultra-2-smartwatch-review \"Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 early review: One of the best-value outdoor smartwatches released this year\")\n\n[![a close-up picture of our reviewer holding the Garmin Venu 4 smartwatch displaying real-time workout stats](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/edjEPPDdxND6334XxyFWNQ.jpg) Health & Fitness Garmin Venu 4 smartwatch review: Sleek and sporty](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/health-fitness\/garmin-venu-4-smartwatch-review \"Garmin Venu 4 smartwatch review: Sleek and sporty\")\n\n[![Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 in the hand at a coastal location](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXSYmF2vabbzmgkH9Nc9nh.jpg) Optics Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 binocular review](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/hawke-endurance-ed-8x25-review \"Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 binocular review\")\n\n[![ZWO Seestar S50 on a table against a white wall](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y7eSA7SXveVbnqYkSN6eEg.jpg) Optics ZWO SeeStar S50 smart telescope review](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/optics\/zwo-seestar-s50-smart-telescope-review \"ZWO SeeStar S50 smart telescope review\")\n\n[![A close-up picture of our reviewer wearing the Coros Pace 4 watch](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jsEA2QJb9j9orvdghccpcW.jpg) Health & Fitness Coros Pace 4 smartwatch review: A capable and affordable fitness tracker](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/products\/health-fitness\/coros-pace-4-smartwatch-review \"Coros Pace 4 smartwatch review: A capable and affordable fitness tracker\")\n\nLATEST ARTICLES\n\n1. 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Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.\n\nClose\n\nPlease login or signup to comment\n\nPlease wait...\n\nLogin\n\nSign Up","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Live Science Verdict\nThe Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down.\n\n#### Pros\n- \\+\n  Affordable and powerful\n- \\+\n  Great low light performance\n- \\+\n  Shoot while USB charging\n\n#### Cons\n- \\-\n  Tilt-only screen\n- \\-\n  Menu system is unfriendly\n- \\-\n  Minor \"star eater\" issue\n\nWhy you can trust Live Science   Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. [Find out more about how we test.](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/how-we-test)\n\nJump to:\n\n- [Design](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-design)\n- [Functionality](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-functionality)\n- [Performance](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-performance)\n- [Should you buy?](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-should-you-buy)\n- [Alternatives](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you)\n\nKey specifications\n\n**Type:** Mirrorless  \n**Sensor:** 24.2MP full frame CMOS  \n**Lens mount:** Sony E  \n**ISO range:** 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800)  \n**Viewfinder resolution:** 2.36m dots  \n**Video capability:** 4K 30p \/ 1080p 120p  \n**Weight:** 1.43lbs  \n**Size:** 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches  \n**Memory card type:** 2x SD\n\nIf you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video \/ low light specialist.\n\nThe A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the [best astrophotography cameras](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/best-astrophotography-cameras) as well.\n\nLatest Videos From Live Science\n\nWith its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations.\n\n![Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QNhn737QBzwcsaMoFyGkD9.jpg)\n\nTwilight image taken using Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n### Sony A7 III review: Design\n- **Compact and lightweight**\n- **Optional battery grip**\n- **Autofocus point joystick**\n\nLike the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake\\!\n\nThere's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera.\n\nThere are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers.\n\nSign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now\n\nGet the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.\n\nAs with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around.\n\n![Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zubDPhDDcBBobXh8GR5Qf7.jpg)\n\nOur reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n## Sony A7S III review: Functionality\n- **Back-side illuminated sensor**\n- **USB charging while shooting**\n- **Hybrid autofocus system**\n\nEven though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light.\n\nOne of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry.\n\nThe autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9).\n\n![Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dFpE4hMkEK8Ku8wQwLY9p5.jpg)\n\nPhoto of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n## Sony A7S III review: Performance\n- **13 stops dynamic range**\n- **Very low noise**\n- **Beware \"star eating\"**\n\nWhile we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail.\n\nThe back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition.\n\nLike other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the \"star eater\" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of.\n\n![Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zLS2fP46qdBhsLqdZhfhjB.jpg)\n\nPhoto of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n### Sony A7 III review: Should you buy?\nForget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release.\n\nWe wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results.\n\n![Portrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III.](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GZDK5rtWJGnPtGeHQZRZYA.jpg)\n\nPortrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius)\n### If this product isn't for you\nThe current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the **Canon EOS Ra**, though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified [**EOS R**](https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net\/click-9088230-13505864?sid=livescience-us-6872551767217928866&url=https:\/\/www.usa.canon.com\/shop\/p\/eos-r) into a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused.\n\nThose sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the [**ZWO ASI183MC (Color)**](https:\/\/target.georiot.com\/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FZWO-ASI183MC-Astronomy-Camera-ASI183MC-P%2Fdp%2FB07BPRLBP2%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-1739727103393277737-20). This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response.\n\nAnd if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the [**Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra**](https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=47773&u1=livescience-us-1008167158582604895&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsmartphones%2Fgalaxy-s22-ultra%2F). It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f\/1.8 primary and f\/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode.\n\n![James Artaius](https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rZQ4BfaEVJaH5Na8sD53cT.jpg)\n\n[James Artaius](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/author\/james-artaius)\n\nThe editor of [Digital Camera World](http:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/), James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as [*Digital Camera Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-3007255495896184000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936429%2Fdigital-camera-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-6565833657202343000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936659%2Fphotoplus-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-4247458655152168000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936619%2Fnphoto-magazine-subscription.thtml), [*Digital Photographer*](https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-1487400588188809500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936439%2Fdigital-photographer-magazine-subscription.thtml) and *Professional Imagemaker*, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at [The Photography Show](https:\/\/www.photographyshow.com\/). An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras.\n\n[Back To Top](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/sony-a7-iii-review)","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Live Science Verdict The Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down. Pros + Affordable and powerful + Great low light performance + Shoot while USB charging Cons - Tilt-only screen - Menu system is unfriendly - Minor "star eater" issue Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test. Jump to: Design Functionality Performance Should you buy? Alternatives Key specifications Type: Mirrorless Sensor: 24.2MP full frame CMOS Lens mount: Sony E ISO range: 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800) Viewfinder resolution: 2.36m dots Video capability: 4K 30p / 1080p 120p Weight: 1.43lbs Size: 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches Memory card type: 2x SD If you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video / low light specialist. The A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the best astrophotography cameras as well. Latest Videos From Live Science With its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations. Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) Sony A7 III review: Design Compact and lightweight Optional battery grip Autofocus point joystick Like the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake! There's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera. There are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. As with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around. Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) Sony A7S III review: Functionality Back-side illuminated sensor USB charging while shooting Hybrid autofocus system Even though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light. One of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry. The autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9). Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) Sony A7S III review: Performance 13 stops dynamic range Very low noise Beware "star eating" While we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail. The back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition. Like other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the "star eater" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of. Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) Sony A7 III review: Should you buy? Forget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release. We wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results. Portrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) If this product isn't for you The current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the Canon EOS Ra , though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified EOS R into a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused. Those sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the ZWO ASI183MC (Color) . This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response. And if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra . It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f/1.8 primary and f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode. James Artaius The editor of Digital Camera World , James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as Digital Camera Magazine , PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine , N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine , Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker , as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at The Photography Show . An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras. Back To Top
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[Alternatives](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you) Don't miss these [![the gibbous moon photographed through the branches of a blossom tree](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ogwZYV5RgVMkMjKKPvcnY9.jpg) Optics Here's the stargazing gear you need for April 2026 — don't miss the Lyrids, two comets and the full moon](https://www.livescience.com/products/optics/heres-the-stargazing-gear-you-need-for-april-2026-dont-miss-the-lyrids-two-comets-and-the-full-moon "Here's the stargazing gear you need for April 2026 — don't miss the Lyrids, two comets and the full moon") [![A close-up picture of our reviewer\&\#039;s hand wearing three smart rings ](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/snpubKrm9sFyoXKGDwY8vP.jpg) Health & Fitness Best smart rings 2026: Our top 3 sleep and fitness tracker rings, tried and tested](https://www.livescience.com/health/best-smart-rings "Best smart rings 2026: Our top 3 sleep and fitness tracker rings, tried and tested") 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[Technology](https://www.livescience.com/technology) # Sony A7 III review ## The Sony A7 III is an all-purpose workhorse, and a favorite among photographers of multiple disciplines. Is this still the everyman camera to beat? [Reviews](https://www.livescience.com/reviews) By [James Artaius](https://www.livescience.com/author/james-artaius) published October 27, 2022 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Here’s how it works](https://www.livescience.com/about-live-science#section-affiliate-advertising-disclosure). ![Reviewer holding Sony A7 III](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RojX7YJXwXzeTGsXktdtu6.jpg) (Image credit: © James Artaius) ### Live Science Verdict The Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down. [\$1,110 at Adorama](https://adorama.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l5pnyB/pubref:livescience-us-3344618159375744651/creativeref:1110l15401/destination:https://www.adorama.com/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only/p/us1972304) [\$1,690 at Best Buy](https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/1943169/614286/10014?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-1549426503339118281&prodsku=10765398&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fproduct%2Fsony-alpha-7-iii-mirrorless-4k-video-camera-body-only-black%2FJ7XSRH4G3W&intsrc=CATF_21610) [\$1,698 at Sweetwater](https://sweetwater.sjv.io/c/221109/937020/11319?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-6627117336408400370&prodsku=ILCE7M3B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FILCE7M3B--sony-alpha-7-iii-full-frame-interchangeable-lens-camera-body&intsrc=CATF_7338) [\$1,698 at Amazon](https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07B43WPVK%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26linkCode%3Ddf5%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-2114633707302249935-20) #### Pros - \+ Affordable and powerful - \+ Great low light performance - \+ Shoot while USB charging #### Cons - \- Tilt-only screen - \- Menu system is unfriendly - \- Minor "star eater" issue Best picks for you - [Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography in 2026](https://www.livescience.com/technology/best-beginner-cameras-for-astrophotography) - [Best cameras for wildlife photography 2026: Shoot nature like a pro](https://www.livescience.com/best-cameras-for-wildlife-photography) - [Best astrophotography cameras 2026: Capture the lunar eclipse](https://www.livescience.com/best-astrophotography-cameras) Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. [Find out more about how we test.](https://www.livescience.com/how-we-test) Jump to: - [Design](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-design) - [Functionality](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-functionality) - [Performance](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-performance) - [Should you buy?](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-should-you-buy) - [Alternatives](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you) Key specifications Type: Mirrorless Sensor: 24.2MP full frame CMOS Lens mount: Sony E ISO range: 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800) Viewfinder resolution: 2.36m dots Video capability: 4K 30p / 1080p 120p Weight: 1.43lbs Size: 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches Memory card type: 2x SD If you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video / low light specialist. The Sony A7 III was released in 2018, which seems like an eternity in camera years. So is it still worth recommending, especially when the Sony A7 IV has recently launched? The answer is a definite yes. While the A7 IV is a formidable camera, which outdoes its forebear in almost every way, accordingly it comes with a significant price tag. The A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the [best astrophotography cameras](https://www.livescience.com/best-astrophotography-cameras) as well. Latest Videos From Live Science With its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations. ![Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QNhn737QBzwcsaMoFyGkD9.jpg) Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) - [Sony Alpha A7 III at Adorama for \$1,110](https://adorama.prf.hn/click/camref:1101l5pnyB/pubref:livescience-us-1269325403761661586/creativeref:1110l15401/destination:https://www.adorama.com/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-24mp-uhd-4k-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-only/p/us1972304) ### Sony A7 III review: Design - Compact and lightweight - Optional battery grip - Autofocus point joystick Like the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake\! There's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera. There are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our [Terms of services](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/) and acknowledge that you have read our [Privacy Notice](https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/). You also agree to receive marketing emails from us that may include promotions from our trusted partners and sponsors, which you can unsubscribe from at any time. As with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around. ![Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zubDPhDDcBBobXh8GR5Qf7.jpg) Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ## Sony A7S III review: Functionality - Back-side illuminated sensor - USB charging while shooting - Hybrid autofocus system Even though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light. One of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry. The autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9). ![Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dFpE4hMkEK8Ku8wQwLY9p5.jpg) Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ## Sony A7S III review: Performance - 13 stops dynamic range - Very low noise - Beware "star eating" While we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail. The back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition. Like other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the "star eater" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of. ![Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zLS2fP46qdBhsLqdZhfhjB.jpg) Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ### Sony A7 III review: Should you buy? Forget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release. We wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results. 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(Image credit: James Artaius) ### If this product isn't for you The current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the Canon EOS Ra, though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified [EOS R](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-9088230-13505864?sid=livescience-us-6872551767217928866&url=https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/eos-r) into a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused. Those sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the [ZWO ASI183MC (Color)](https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FZWO-ASI183MC-Astronomy-Camera-ASI183MC-P%2Fdp%2FB07BPRLBP2%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-1739727103393277737-20). This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response. And if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the [Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra*](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=47773&u1=livescience-us-1008167158582604895&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsmartphones%2Fgalaxy-s22-ultra%2F). It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f/1.8 primary and f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode. 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[\$1,698](https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/568844/9383?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-1412986558760996808&veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2F615125123) [View](https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/568844/9383?sharedId=livescience-us&subId1=livescience-us-1412986558760996808&veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2F615125123) Show more We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by ![Live Science](https://search-api.fie.futurecdn.net/img/sites/svg/livescience.svg) ![James Artaius](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rZQ4BfaEVJaH5Na8sD53cT.jpg) [James Artaius](https://www.livescience.com/author/james-artaius) Social Links Navigation The editor of [Digital Camera World](http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/), James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as [Digital Camera Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-3007255495896184000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936429%2Fdigital-camera-magazine-subscription.thtml), [PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-6565833657202343000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936659%2Fphotoplus-magazine-subscription.thtml), [N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-4247458655152168000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936619%2Fnphoto-magazine-subscription.thtml), [Digital Photographer](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-1487400588188809500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936439%2Fdigital-photographer-magazine-subscription.thtml) and Professional Imagemaker*, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at [The Photography Show](https://www.photographyshow.com/). An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras. [Back To Top](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review) Read more [![Sony A7 IV on a green background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zyq5ZwBLqhBYZbCwLxn4MT.jpg) Technology Capture 2026's space and astronomy highlights with one of our favorite astrophotography cameras — the Sony Alpha 7 IV has 20% off at Amazon](https://www.livescience.com/technology/capture-2026s-space-and-astronomy-highlights-with-one-of-our-favorite-astrophotography-cameras-the-sony-alpha-7-iv-has-20-percent-off-at-amazon "Capture 2026's space and astronomy highlights with one of our favorite astrophotography cameras — the Sony Alpha 7 IV has 20% off at Amazon") [![person using a camera on a tripod against the milky way](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HUqiQKdrjqcR2mUXSpToNk.jpg) Optics Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography in 2026](https://www.livescience.com/technology/best-beginner-cameras-for-astrophotography "Best beginner cameras for the lunar eclipse and astrophotography 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Readable Markdown	### Live Science Verdict The Sony A7 III is a jack of all trades, and despite its age is still able to turn its hand to any task. This affordable workhorse won't let you down. #### Pros - \+ Affordable and powerful - \+ Great low light performance - \+ Shoot while USB charging #### Cons - \- Tilt-only screen - \- Menu system is unfriendly - \- Minor "star eater" issue Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. [Find out more about how we test.](https://www.livescience.com/how-we-test) Jump to: - [Design](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-design) - [Functionality](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-functionality) - [Performance](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7s-iii-review-performance) - [Should you buy?](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-sony-a7-iii-review-should-you-buy) - [Alternatives](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review#section-if-this-product-isn-t-for-you) Key specifications Type: Mirrorless Sensor: 24.2MP full frame CMOS Lens mount: Sony E ISO range: 100-51,200 (exp 50-204,800) Viewfinder resolution: 2.36m dots Video capability: 4K 30p / 1080p 120p Weight: 1.43lbs Size: 5 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches Memory card type: 2x SD If you're confused by all the different Sony Alpha 7 models out there, don't worry – it's simpler than it seems. There's the Sony A7, which is the affordable all-purpose camera – and the product family to which the Sony A7 III belongs. Then there's the Sony A7R, which is geared towards high-resolution imaging, and the Sony A7S, which is a video / low light specialist. The A7 III, meanwhile, is still a very capable imaging machine – and since it is still being made and marketed by Sony, it is available with a significant saving on its original price tag. And being a Swiss Army Knife of a camera, it's a great option for portraiture, landscapes, sports and action, and it's one of the [best astrophotography cameras](https://www.livescience.com/best-astrophotography-cameras) as well. Latest Videos From Live Science With its 24.2MP image sensor, 4K 30p video, 10fps continuous shooting speed and sophisticated hybrid autofocus system, this camera delivers high quality stills and video supported by plenty of horsepower, with a particular strength for low light shooting that makes it well equipped to tackle challenging situations. ![Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QNhn737QBzwcsaMoFyGkD9.jpg) Twilight image taken using Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ### Sony A7 III review: Design - Compact and lightweight - Optional battery grip - Autofocus point joystick Like the rest of the Alpha 7 line, the A7 III is a small and light camera body that fits well in the hand and puts all the controls exactly where you'd expect them to be. Well, mostly; the location of the REC button is a quite close to the AF-ON button, so if you're a back-button focuser then expect to record a couple of movies by mistake\! There's a slight mismatch between the svelteness of this camera and the generally oversized nature of Sony's top E-mount lenses. Thankfully, if you want to make the body balance better (or if you just prefer chunkier DSLR-sized handling), the optional VG-C3EM battery grip adds vertical purchase and controls, increases your battery life, and maintains the sleek profile of the camera. There are plenty of customizable controls, all of which are very welcome whether you want to map your own inputs for instinctive astrophotography shooting in the dark, or muscle memory fingertip adjustments without taking your eye away from the finder while capturing wildlife. To this end, the joystick makes it a breeze to make quick or fine adjustments to your focus point – and if you're used to shooting outdoors in the cold, a physical input won't let you down when touchscreens fail to recognize ice cold fingers. Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox. As with all Sony cameras, the quality of the external design sadly isn't matched by the menu system. There are 35 individual menu screens, with little instinctive tethering between them, so be prepared to search high and low for even the most basic settings until you find your way around. ![Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zubDPhDDcBBobXh8GR5Qf7.jpg) Our reviewer, James, holding the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ## Sony A7S III review: Functionality - Back-side illuminated sensor - USB charging while shooting - Hybrid autofocus system Even though the camera is getting on in years, the original design was so ahead of its time that it almost future-proofed itself. The back-side illuminated sensor is a great example; this design places the circuitry on the rear of the image sensor, rather than on the front where it gets in the way of light absorption. The improved light-gathering, combined with impressive ISO sensitivity, is what makes the A7 III a great performer in low light. One of the most useful features for anyone working out in the field is the ability to charge the camera via USB. While many modern cameras offer USB charging these days, it's still uncommon for them to offer charging while the camera is in use. Again, the forward-thinking A7 III comes good here, as you can plug in a USB power bank and keep shooting when your battery runs dry. The autofocus system, too, is still among the best on the market, with 693 phase-detect AF points, 425 contrast-detect points, and even Real Time Human and Animal Eye AF. For reference, that eclipses even contemporary cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, which only has 273 hybrid AF points. Whatever you want to take photographs of, this camera can handle it (including fast moving sports, as the AF system is taken from the former flagship sports camera, the Sony A9). ![Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dFpE4hMkEK8Ku8wQwLY9p5.jpg) Photo of the moon taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ## Sony A7S III review: Performance - 13 stops dynamic range - Very low noise - Beware "star eating" While we didn't achieve the 15 stops of dynamic range quoted by Sony, we managed to squeeze a still-fantastic 13 stops out of the A7 III – which is music to the ears of astrophotographers, who can keep the ISO down to 100 and still achieve incredible amounts of detail. The back-side illuminated sensor means you can also push the ISO while introducing minimal amounts of noise. Indeed, the sensor handily outperformed its contemporaries from Canon and Sony in our experience – and while sensor technology has moved on since the A7 III's release, many cameras today are still using sensors from that same time period. So you know that this one is at least as good as the competition. Like other Sony A7 cameras, the A7 III is a victim of the "star eater" phenomenon – where Sony's aggressive noise reduction system misreads stars and 'eats' them, having misidentified them as noise or hot pixels (a phenomenon that's even baked into the RAW files). This camera tends to exhibit the issue when shooting long exposures from four seconds and above – it's not as egregious as earlier generations, but is definitely something to be mindful of. ![Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zLS2fP46qdBhsLqdZhfhjB.jpg) Photo of the night sky taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ### Sony A7 III review: Should you buy? Forget about its age – the only thing 2018 about this camera is the price! It still provides very capable performance on par with many models on the market right now, but at a much more pocket-friendly price. In fact, thanks to all the firmware upgrades and the dramatically increased lens lineup, the A7 III is a far superior camera today than it was upon release. We wish the screen was fully articulating, and Sony's menus are notoriously tricksy, but otherwise there's little not to love about this camera. It can turn its hand to anything from fast-moving sport to iris-tracking portraits to stargazing astrophotography shots. The Sony E-mount is very well populated with lenses and, thanks to it being an open format, there's a wealth of affordable third-party optics available as well, making this a very budget-friendly option that delivers commercial quality results. ![Portrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GZDK5rtWJGnPtGeHQZRZYA.jpg) Portrait photo of twilight taken with the Sony A7 III. (Image credit: James Artaius) ### If this product isn't for you The current top-of-the-tree astro camera is the Canon EOS Ra, though this model has been discontinued and can be hard to find. This was Canon's specially modified [EOS R](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-9088230-13505864?sid=livescience-us-6872551767217928866&url=https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/eos-r) into a dedicated astrophotography body, with a full frame sensor boasting 30.3MP, a modified IR filter (to better capture astral phenomena) and a powerful 30x magnification to ensure that your stars and nebulae are precisely focused. Those sufficiently experienced to move onto a dedicated CCD camera should check out the [ZWO ASI183MC (Color)](https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=74387&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2FZWO-ASI183MC-Astronomy-Camera-ASI183MC-P%2Fdp%2FB07BPRLBP2%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dlivescience-us-1739727103393277737-20). This features a star-sensitive Sony sensor, with a fan-cooled system to keep noise minimal, which produces 12 stops of dynamic range and impressive spectral response. And if you want a gentle introduction to star shooting, or you simply want a phone that does the job best, look no further than the [Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=kXQk6%2AivFEQ&mid=47773&u1=livescience-us-1008167158582604895&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fsmartphones%2Fgalaxy-s22-ultra%2F). It's a great value way to explore astrophotography, thanks to its f/1.8 primary and f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras combines with the manual power of Pro mode. ![James Artaius](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rZQ4BfaEVJaH5Na8sD53cT.jpg) [James Artaius](https://www.livescience.com/author/james-artaius) The editor of [Digital Camera World](http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/), James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist. He has worked professionally in the photographic industry since 2014, when he started as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy (who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert on cameras and lenses, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as [Digital Camera Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-3007255495896184000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936429%2Fdigital-camera-magazine-subscription.thtml), [PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-6565833657202343000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936659%2Fphotoplus-magazine-subscription.thtml), [N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-4247458655152168000&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936619%2Fnphoto-magazine-subscription.thtml), [Digital Photographer](https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=2961&awinaffid=103504&clickref=dcw-gb-1487400588188809500&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.magazinesdirect.com%2Faz-magazines%2F6936439%2Fdigital-photographer-magazine-subscription.thtml) and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at [The Photography Show](https://www.photographyshow.com/). An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras. [Back To Top](https://www.livescience.com/sony-a7-iii-review)
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