The Sony a7iii, breaking records for years after its release, shook up the full frame world by being: affordable, compact, and, most importantly, incredibly powerful.
Since then, Sony has released a number of newer cameras and other brands have started hopping on the full-frame mirrorless train. So, you might be asking, is the Sony a7iii still amazing even in 2023?
Why You Can Trust Us
Chance (that’s me) has been practicing photography for 10 years and has been a paid professional for most of it. I bought my first Sony in 2018 so this website is the culmination of about 5 years of Sony experience (full site history). I’ve had the Sony a7iii in particular for about a year and it’s been my main camera (read how I review/test gear).
Personally, I picked up mine in 2022. I’d been shooting with my previous camera for about four years and decided it was time to finally make the leap to full frame. As of the time of writing, I’ve taken it on numerous photoshoots and even a multi-month trip to Europe. I absolutely adore (almost) everything about it.
In this review, I’ll be doing a deep dive into all the things that make the Sony a7iii still so great, even in 2023 (and the things that annoy me about it, of course). Plus, there are literally about 100 sample photos for your enjoyment.
Let’s dive in!
Pros:
- Incredible full-frame image quality
- Heavy-duty and built like a tank
- Super fast and reliable AF system
- Designed for professional work
- Diverse and interesting lens selection
Cons:
- Lacks flippy screen (only 90/45 tilt)
- Full-frame lenses can get huge/heavy
- May be "too much camera" for some
Verdict:
Not perfect for everyone (huge/expensive). However, the a7iii is a true professional-level camera that doesn't make any compromises.
Build Quality
Size & Weight
First off, since we’re talking about a mirrorless camera here, let’s go over the size and weight of the body.
The a7iii weighs in at roughly 22.9oz (650g), which, while chunky, is still substantially lighter than any sort of DSLR equivalent.
Size-wise, the camera measures 5×3.9×3.0 inches (or 12.7×9.5×7.3cm).
Once again, a bit larger than any of Sony’s previous cameras, but it’s still incredibly impressive that they managed to pack so much power and so many features into such a compact body.
Granted, a very large part of compact setups comes from the lens.
You’ll have a much smaller setup if you use, say, the Sigma 65mm F2 rather than the gigantic Samyang 135mm F2.
Don’t get me wrong, the a7iii isn’t like a compact APS-C camera, but you can make it pretty small with the right lens choices.
With that being said, I’ve been primarily rocking the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 (incredible lens, by the way). It’s a fairly bulky setup, but it doesn’t feel comically huge. Plus, the camera and lens combo fit (if just barely) into my Peak Design 6L Sling.
I will say, however, that I’ve been recently experimenting with the Sony 20mm F1.8 and, to be frank, the smaller size is winning me over.
I’ve always shot with primes, but then I started to get really comfortable with my Tamron zoom, but I find myself missing the “pocket camera” vibe.
Is the camera built well?
As you might expect, the build quality of the Sony a7iii is nothing short of fantastic.
Much like most of Sony’s cameras, the body is made out of magnesium alloy and the mount is, of course, stainless steel.
The grip feels chunky (more on that later) and all the dials/switches feel good to use (also more on those later).
Some Weather Sealing
As far as weather sealing goes, the Sony a7iii isn’t fully weather-sealed, but rather “dust and moisture resistant”.
What this typically means is that the camera is designed to survive light rain, misting, and dust (think blowing sand on a beach, for example).
So, although the camera isn’t entirely sealed, combining it with a weather-sealed lens (gasket around the lens mount) makes for a pretty rugged setup.
I think manufacturers typically undersell weather resistance, as my old a6000 (which I owned for 4 years), survived some seriously extreme conditions.
I personally haven’t run into any issues. Although I haven’t owned the a7iii quite as long as my old camera, I’ve had nothing but good luck when shooting in wet environments.
It’s important to note, however, that the battery door is considered the “weak point” for resistance, so try to keep the bottom of the camera dry when out shooting in inclement conditions (don’t put it down in a puddle).
Built to Last
So is the camera built to last? Oh yeah, it’s built like a tank.
Considering this is a pro-level full-frame camera, the build quality is spectacular, and even though it’s not fully weather-sealed, the dust and moisture resistance still gives me a lot of confidence.
My a6000 from 2014 still works to this day, so I have no doubt that the much more expensive Sony a7iii should be similar.
I mean, the camera is rated for at least 200k shutter clicks, and mine is currently only at ~35k.
Ergonomics & Comfort
So, the camera is built like an absolute tank, but is it actually comfortable to use? Yep!
Large & Comfortable Grip
To start, the grip on the Sony a7iii is huge. Compared to the camera’s previous iteration, the a7ii, the grip (and overall body) gained a bit of “heft”.
I know of some photographers who came from bulky DSLRs who have complained the grip felt a bit small, but as someone used to compact mirrorless bodies, it feels fabulous to me.
Heck, if you’re looking for a bigger grip, just consider picking up a battery grip attachment.
My only complaint is that due to the natural positioning of my thumb on the rear grip, sometimes I’ll accidentally bump one of my custom buttons (AEL button) on the rear of the camera, especially if wearing gloves.
Lens Choice Matters for Comfort
Next, as with all cameras, a lot of the “comfort” of your setup comes down to the lens you choose to pair with the body.
On the Sony a7iii, I’ve been primarily using my Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. It feels like the perfect size, almost like it was specially built to balance perfectly on this camera.
On the flip side, as I stated earlier in the article, I’ve also frequently experimented with Sony’s 50mm F1.8. It’s a great little lens, but the tiny dimensions and incredibly low weight make it feel like a toy on the a7iii. It almost makes the camera a little too back-heavy. Love the pocketability, though.
Oh, now seems like a great time to mention I have a gigantic curated list of the best lenses for the a7iii.
Invest in a Good Bag
In addition to choosing a “well-balancing” lens, it’s also important to choose the right bag for maximum comfort.
I’ll be honest, I can only carry around my Tamron zoom for a little while before it starts to get uncomfortable.
While any camera bag will technically work, I’ve been loving my Peak Design 6L Sling. For anyone who specifically searches “what will fit in a peak design 6l sling”, know that the Sony a7iii with the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 fits vertically just perfectly.
In that same vein, also consider the kind of strap you want to use.
I used to use a neck strap all the time, but I’ve found using a wrist strap plus camera sling bag is way better.
Neck straps are large and awkward, and having a bag lets you use a small and unobtrusive wrist strap but still be able to “comfortably” store the camera when not in use.
Plus, nothing screams, “I’m a clueless tourist with an expensive camera!” more than a neck strap swinging around (no offense to those who enjoy neck straps…).
Button Layout & Accessibility
Next up, let’s talk about button layout and day-to-day usability.
First off, as I had mentioned before, all the dials, switches, and buttons on the Sony a7iii feel good to use. They’re clunky (in a good way!), stiff (also in a good way), and precise.
Dozens of Customizability Options
One quick thing to note is that there are numerous customizable buttons on the a7iii.
Nearly every button on the camera can be customized (with separate custom buttons for both stills and video).
If you’re interested in learning more about the a7iii’s custom buttons, I go into more detail here. However, I’ll just quickly run through the ones I’ve bound.
- C1 is set to drive mode
- C2 is set to focus mode
- C3 is set to silent shooting toggle
- C4 is set to monitor brightness
- AF-ON is set to SteadyShot toggle
- AEL is set to Focus Magnifier (for manual focus)
Top of the Camera
Anywho, let’s now talk about where these buttons are actually located.
On the top of the camera, we have the hot shoe (naturally) and the mode dial.
In addition, we have the C1 and C2 custom buttons, along with the on/off switch and shutter button.
There’s also a really handy exposure dial. I’ve found it to be excellent for quickly adjusting exposure without delving into settings.
Finally, there are two more dials. One near the rear of the camera and one near in front of the shutter button. I use these to adjust SS/Aperture in manual mode.
Back of the Camera
On the back of the camera, there are even more buttons, dials, and such.
First off, we obviously have the 3in LCD (more on that later) in addition to a joystick that acts as a “selector” for menu settings and focus points.
Custom buttons C3 and C4 are on the top left and bottom right respectively, and the AF-On/AEL buttons (also customizable) are near the top right.
Finally, we have the menu, record button, Fn (quick settings) button, playback button, and another dial with 4 customizable “slots”.
Jacks & Ports
As for ports, the Sony a7iii comes generously equipped.
For video shooters, there’s both a microphone AND headphone jack along with a Mini-HDMI port (for external monitors).
For charging/data transfer, there’s a USB-C port and a “multi” USB port (USB 2.0).
Dual Card Slots
Finally, on the right side of the camera sits the SD card slots. You can access them by flicking a little switch that pops open a door.
While there are two card slots, unfortunately only one of them supports UHS-II (aka faster speeds). Still though, it’s really nice to have dual card slots for backups.
Focusing System
Blazing Fast Autofocus
Alrighty, next up we’ll be focusing on focusing (see what I did there?).
To say the Sony a7iii is an autofocus beast would frankly be an understatement.
According to Sony, the camera offers 693 phase-detection points that cover roughly 93% of the frame.
I’ve put my a7iii through all sorts of situations, from extreme low-light (middle of the night on a beach) to super-fast high-speed action (cars passing at highway speeds).
Without fail, it nailed focus pretty much every single time. Reliability and speed are absolutely incredible.
Eye AF is Amazing
On that subject, EyeAF was upgraded for this model and it really shows.
When shooting portraiture at 75mm (my usual preference for portraits), I’ve found that EyeAF locks onto the eye flawlessly about 90% of the time. The other 10%, it can get pretty darn close, at least locking in perfectly on a face.
In addition to human subjects, the camera can also detect and track animal eyes.
Even though this was primarily designed for wildlife shooters, if I had to guess, I’ve found it really useful when chasing my family’s pets around.
Subject Tracking (AF-C)
Speaking of chasing fast-moving objects, subject tracking (AF-C mode) works quite well.
While you shouldn’t expect the level of performance that a sports camera, such as the A9 provides, I’ve still been more than happy with the results I’ve gotten.
When tracking moving subjects, the camera is typically able to stay perfectly locked on without any sort of issue.
Naturally, some situations will trip it up (really fast objects like cars, for example), but I’ve generally found it to be largely reliable.
One thing I’ve really started to like subject tracking for is when shooting models. I’ll turn on AF-C and low-speed burst (more on that soon) and have the model twirl around, flip her dress, etc.
Thus far, AF-C has managed to lock down pretty much flawless focus every time, capturing candid action.
Burst Mode (10FPS RAW)
Speaking of burst mode, the Sony a7iii can shoot around 10 uncompressed RAWS per second, and the buffer kicks in around 33 images (taking 26 seconds to clear).
For JPEG, the camera can shoot typically around, once again, 10 JPEGs per second. The buffer kicks in around 163 images and takes around 45 seconds to clear.
These numbers are pretty on-par with other similarly priced cameras and are, as I stated before, not supposed to match a high-level pro sports camera’s performance.
Oh, by the way, the a7iii has a whole slew of customizable settings for burst mode.
Feel free to check out more details in my dedicated a7iii burst mode article.
Manual Focus
Finally, let’s hop over to the other side of focusing: manual focus.
Just like Sony’s older cameras, the a7iii comes equipped with a vast wealth of manual focus assists, making this camera a mighty option if you like to shoot with a lot of vintage glass or just want to save money by buying a modern manual focus lens.
Focus Peaking
First up, the a7iii features the familiar focus peaking system.
This is where, when manually focusing, in-focus parts of the frame will be highlighted by a color of your choice.
The camera lets you choose the color and intensity of the peaking.
I’ve found it to be VERY accurate when shooting manually.
Focus Magnifier
Second, the camera has a focus magnifier built in.
This is an option where, when double tapping a pre-assigned button (customizable), you can zoom the frame into either 5x or 10x.
This allows you to nail down your manual focus with extreme precision (it also works when using AF).
If you’re an avid manual lens user and want to dig a bit deeper into the a7iii’s manual capabilities, I urge you to check out my complete a7iii manual focus article. It’s a wealth of knowledge and will cover anything and everything you’d ever want to know about using manual glass on the Sony a7iii.
LCD & Viewfinder
Rear LCD Screen
Next up, let’s talk about the LCD screen on the Sony a7iii.
In the mirrorless community, Sony is somewhat infamous for having poor-quality screens and, to be frank, the a7iii isn’t much of an exception.
The rear LCD does the job, don’t get me wrong. You can read the information on it, preview/shoot photos, and dig through the menus.
It does all that just fine and isn’t laggy, but the quality just really isn’t there.
Compared to competitors (Panasonic, anyone?), the LCD screen on the Sony a7iii is just a bit low quality.
Still, though, it’s a minor negative mark on an otherwise fabulous camera, so it’s easy to dismiss.
Flip Up & Down
On the upside, however, it does flip up and down.
Upward, it holds a tilt of roughly 90 degrees, while downward seems to be about 30 degrees.
If you’ve used any other Sony camera, I’m pretty sure this is the same screen that’s on most of the a6xxx series and the previous a7x cameras.
Another REALLY convenient feature is that the screen (and viewfinder) will automatically rotate vertical images to fit the orientation of whichever direction you have the camera rotated.
Touchscreen Features
Continuing on, the Sony a7iii does feature a touchscreen, but it is fairly limited in its functionality.
The only use the touchscreen has is to select an autofocus point.
Don’t get me wrong, this is fairly useful, but I’m left wondering why Sony didn’t extend the touchscreen’s use to the menus or image playback.
It would be so convenient to be able to pinch to zoom to check focus on photos.
Electronic Viewfinder
Anyways, now that we’ve ranted about how poor the screen is, let’s talk about a much more positive feature of this camera: the electronic viewfinder.
The viewfinder features 2.36 million dots which, while still below competitors, is more than enough (in my opinion).
For this reason, I frequently use the viewfinder when playing back images and changing settings. The quality is just so much higher than the LCD screen, especially on a bright and sunny day.
Some other fun benefits include the ability to add a built-in level to the viewfinder. I never realized, before discovering this feature, how many of my photos were just ever so slightly off-level.
Although Sony frequently gets flack for having poor viewfinders, I’ve found that the a7iii’s EVF more than fits my needs. No complaints in that regard.
Battery Life
Does the battery drain fast?
Next up, let’s talk batteries.
Folks, I upgraded from a Sony a6000. With my old camera, I was used to having to carry multiple batteries with me every day, swapping them out every hour, and then having to charge them overnight.
It was awful, and I was under the impression that all Sony’s cameras were like that.
Nope, the Sony a7iii introduced the new NP-FZ battery which is an absolute beast. According to benchmarks, the new battery lasts, on average, 610 shots until exhausted. I, however, have found this to be an understatement.
As a test, I went to see how long I could shoot before running out of battery.
On a particularly rainy week in Portugal (great way to test the weather resistance too), I took the camera out every day and shot anywhere between 100-150 pictures per day.
I mostly stuck to AF-S (single-shot AF) and it lasted, I kid you not, 6 full days of shooting until needing to be recharged.
Granted, I would turn off the camera in between shots (btw, the camera takes less than a second to shoot after being powered on) and I didn’t use many battery-intensive features like AF-C.
Still, that kind of performance blew my mind. I couldn’t believe that the battery lasted almost a week of daily usage. Incredible.
So no, the Sony a7iii battery does NOT drain fast. It’ll last a long time and, even if you need more juice, there are always hundreds of options for battery grips.
Off-Brand vs OEM Batteries
So that brings us to the next topic that is often fiercely debated among photographers: should you use off-brand batteries or OEM batteries?
Look, I’d get a much higher affiliate commission if I told you, “hey, buy the expensive OEM batteries,”.
However, the off-brand batteries typically last only 10-15% less but often cost under half the price. I own one OEM (which came with the camera) and one off-brand. I’ve tested them both and the off-brand still does great.
So yeah, if you want the absolute best, feel free to grab an OEM battery. However, you can also get an off-brand option for a third of the price.
Either one does the job well, but the off-brand does it substantially cheaper. Just my opinion.
Image Quality
Resolution/Megapixels
Next up, let’s get into the real meat and potatoes: image quality.
The Sony a7iii has 24 megapixels which offers more than enough resolution for the vast majority of photographers.
You might not be printing images and putting them on billboards, but 6000×4000 works great for smaller stuff such as wall prints or magazines.
Typically, the megapixel count is high enough to where I’ve found I can crop in at least a little bit before I start to notice a sizeable loss in quality (a 50% crop is when loss of detail starts to become very obvious).
With uncompressed RAW files hovering around 45-50mb on average, I find that 24mp is a great middle ground between offering high-quality resolution without creating files that take up an extreme amount of storage space or processing power.
ISO & Noise (Low Light Performance)
The Sony a7iii offers a native ISO range of 100 to 51200, with it being extendable all the way from 50 to 204800 (granted, images will absolutely fall apart at that high of an ISO).
So, you might ask, is the a7iii good in low light? Unsurprisingly, yes.
Performance is spectacular, and I’ve found that I can typically get fairly clean shots all the way to ISO10000.
At 10000, noise is fairly moderate, but it’s still manageable enough that it can be largely cleaned up with noise reduction in post-processing.
However, I’d say 5000 is the cutoff to where noise starts to become noticeable when zooming in.
If I’m out shooting and not wanting to manage my ISO, I’ll set my “max” to 5000.
That way I know that, even if conditions get fairly dark, I won’t push my camera beyond what it can comfortably handle in terms of noise.
It’s also worth noting that ISO becomes less noticeable as screen size (or print paper) gets smaller.
If I’m shooting something I know is only going on social media (and thus only seen on tiny phone screens), I’ll take the risk of pushing my ISO a good bit higher in order to capture a shot.
Overall, I am incredibly impressed with the ISO performance of the a7iii. I haven’t run into any situations yet where I think, “hmm, imagine if I had the A7S instead…”. If you’re interest in astro, by the way, check out Lonelyspeck’s awesome astro review of this camera.
Dynamic Range
Next up: dynamic range, also known as the “ratio between the darkest and brightest parts of an image”.
To put it simply, the dynamic range performance of the Sony a7iii is spectacular (as long as you know how to utilize it properly).
You see, most cameras, Sony included, tend to overexposure images naturally. For this reason, when shooting during the day, I’ll use the exposure dial on the top of the camera to set my exposure value to either -0.3EV or -0.7EV.
The Sony a7iii’s RAW files are INCREDIBLY information-dense, so even near-black shadows can be almost fully recovered without a huge influx of noise.
If that isn’t enough, you can always use bracketed exposure mode to do a sort of HDR-style image merge in post-processing.
Raw VS JPEG
Now, what about those who like to shoot in JPEG? What’s the difference between raw vs jpeg?
While I am a hardcore RAW-only photographer, I understand many people like to utilize JPEG when shooting more casual situations, such as family get-togethers, events, birthdays, etc.
The JPEG files that come out of this camera, despite being much smaller file-size-wise, still look pretty darn good.
Sony cameras have always done some really nice JPEG processing, and the a7iii is no exception.
So, while RAW is always going to be king for pure quality, JPEG shooters will still be satisfied with the results.
Silent Shooting
Finally, this feature doesn’t necessarily equate to “image quality” at first glance, but I put it in this section because it does, actually, affect image quality.
You see, silent shooting turns off the mechanical shutter so the camera doesn’t make any sound, but it does it at the cost of picture quality.
When shooting in silent mode, banding is more common, dynamic range is (slightly) more limited, and ISO cannot be set below 100.
It can also cause distortion and stretching when panning (when capturing fast-moving subjects, for example).
Although I’ve used it on occasion in certain environments (churches, restaurants, etc.), I’d suggest keeping it off unless you need to be silent.
Plus, the shutter sound of this camera just sounds so damn good.
Video Performance
Alright, so the camera looks incredible for stills photographers so far, but is the Sony a7iii good for video? Why yes, it is… but not without some caveats, of course.
Profiles & Codecs
First off, let’s talk profiles and codecs. I won’t delve into the details of all them, but here’s a quick summary of a few of the profiles:
- Movie (standard curve)
- Cine1-4 for a soft look (3/4 have higher contrast)
- S-Log2 & S-Log3 for post-processing grading
As for codecs, the camera can shoot in: MPEG-4, AVC, and H.264. No 10-bit video, unfortunately, only 8-bit.
Video Quality
In terms of pure video quality, the Sony a7iii certainly doesn’t disappoint.
In the video world, there’s always such a push to get, “the newest and the very best”, so the 4k 30fps might get skipped by some videographers in search of 6k (and 10-bit).
However, the a7iii still shoots INCREDIBLE video. Dynamic range is excellent, noise control and rendering are great (videos still look good up to ISO3200 before getting a bit of mushy-ness).
Even the 1080p (up to 120fps) on the camera, despite not being 4k, still looks great and is more than adequate for many people.
In fact, when I shoot the YouTube videos for this site, I tend to use 1080p because it still looks great -without- slowing down my computer when editing.
Video AF
As for video AF, I’ve also found it to be spectacular. Just like stills AF, it is quick to focus and, typically, incredibly reliable.
There are even a few options in the menu that allow you to adjust focus speed, locking time, etc.
Not much more to say in that regard, just good stuff.
S&Q Mode
Next, the camera also includes something called “S&Q Mode”.
At first, I had literally zero idea as to what this did, but it turns out this is a feature that allows slow motion (S) and “quick” (Q) videos like time-lapse to be directly created in the camera.
In this mode, bit-rate and quality are reduced a little bit, and I assume this happens so that the camera has an “easier” time processing these things.
To be frank, while this mode is neat, I found it to be a little too niche and gimmicky. I’d rather shoot at full quality and just do the “slowing” or… “quickening?” myself in post-processing.
Other Video Features
Finally, let’s talk about some video-centric features that I LOVE about this camera.
Lack of Flip Screen
Actually, before we talk about good video features, we have to talk about a bad one or, rather, the lack of a feature.
Unfortunately, the screen on the Sony a7iii only flips up and down. It doesn’t rotate outward.
You can’t flip it all the way up as a “selfie” mirror, and you can’t flip it all the way out to the side either.
While this isn’t a huge deal, it’s a bit of a pain for those who film themselves like vloggers, product reviewers (me, lol), etc.
I’ve personally gotten around this by using a hot-shoe mirror attachment. It works fine, but I do wish this camera had a flip-out screen.
If I could change ANYTHING about the a7iii, a flip-out screen would be it.
In-Body Image Stabilization
Anywho, let’s talk about features that are ACTUALLY useful, like in-body image stabilization!
I’ll be the first to admit that the stabilization built into the Sony a7iii isn’t spectacular, however, I’m glad it actually has it.
My previous camera, the a6000, had absolutely nothing, so I was reliant either on a small collection of (poor) stabilized lenses or gimbals. Not fun.
So yeah, I’m really happy to see that the a7iii has built-in stabilization. I still stabilize in post-processing where it’s needed, but I’ve been really happy with the stabilization overall.
Microphone/Headphone Ports
Next up, the camera has a whole range of ports including microphone and headphone ports (and mini-HDMI for those who use external monitors)!
Once again, my biggest complaint about my previous camera was the lack of a mic jack, so it’s so nice to finally just be able to plug in my microphone and get excellent audio in-camera.
Thus far, I’ve had no reliability issues, though I have read stories about faulty mic jacks on the a7iii.
I guess I got lucky or perhaps it’s not actually that common of an issue.
Audio Visualizer
Speaking of microphones and audio, the camera also comes with a built-in audio visualizer.
While not essential, I’ve found this to be a nice quality-of-life feature.
Instead of playing back a test video to see if my audio works, I can just glance at the meter as I shoot.
(More) Customizable Buttons
Finally, the last useful feature is something I alluded to earlier in the review: custom buttons.
The way the custom buttons work on this camera is that you can actually set specific buttons for both still shooting AND video.
This means that, for stills, I can still have all my usual buttons, but I can change them as needed to work with video instead.
I love that Sony separated the two!
So, is the Sony a7iii good for video?
So, is the Sony a7iii good for video? If you’re willing to deal with a few caveats, yes.
If you’re a Hollywood pro trying to get the absolute top-tier video quality, then no. Go buy your $10000 RED camera.
However, if you’re a pro-YouTuber, casual filmmaker, or just someone who wants to document their life more, then yes: the Sony a7iii is excellent for video.
The 4k looks great, the 120fps (at 1080p) is more than enough for “cinematic” slow-mo, and the myriad of ports and jacks allow for the attachment of various accessories.
As I stated before, my only negative point is the lack of flip-out screen.
It’s a bit of a pain, but, once again, I’ve found a solution by using a mirror attachment (you can also use an external HDMI screen).
So yeah, as someone dabbling in YouTube (for this website actually, more videos to come), I’m incredibly pleased with the video performance and usability that I’ve gotten out of this camera.
Who is the Sony a7iii good for?
So, who exactly is the Sony a7iii good for? Is there anybody who shouldn’t buy it?
Is the a7iii good for beginners?
First off, let’s talk about beginners. Those who are just getting into photography and looking into buying their first camera.
May Be Overwhelming
To start, the Sony a7iii is a big camera with a LOT of features.
If I were to start from scratch and attempt to learn photography, the a7iii would feel incredibly overwhelming. I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Might Be a Bit Expensive
In addition to being overwhelming, full frame typically brings with it a whole host of higher costs as well.
Full-frame bodies are more expensive, the appropriate lenses are (much) more expensive, and accessories are more expensive.
Hell, even batteries are more expensive, and then, to top it all off, you need a bigger bag to hold all this big gear!
True Beginners Should Consider APS-C
Realistically, a true starting-from-scratch beginner should consider an APS-C camera instead.
APS-C cameras provide an easier learning platform and are typically a lot cheaper.
If you’re a beginner and have gotten this far, consider checking out my review of the amazing Sony a6400. I love my full frame, but I’m very thankful I started on APS-C instead.
Is the a7iii good for enthusiasts/hobbyists?
For enthusiasts and dedicated hobbyists, however, the a7iii is a beast of a camera.
Powerful Camera
To start, it’s just powerful.
If you’ve been shooting for a couple of years and are ready to upgrade, the a7iii might be the next logical step.
It takes incredible images, is packed with features, and allows for a full variety of manual or partial manual controls.
You can fully tailor the camera to your skill/comfort level and still get incredible pictures (and video).
Versatile (and fun) Lens Choices
In addition, the Sony a7iii offers a versatile and fun lens selection.
Not only do you have a lot of top-tier “serious lenses”, but you also have the option of more fun lenses like macro, fisheye, etc.
This diverse lens collection allows for never-ending fun and experimentation.
Is the a7iii good for professional photographers?
Finally, is the Sony a7iii good for professional photographers?
As a “professional” myself, I can answer that with a resounding yes.
In fact, it has consistently been the most common camera model for pros since it was released.
Streamlined Manual Mode & Customizability
To start, shooting in manual is a buttery smooth and streamlined experience. What do I mean by that?
Well, thanks to the myriad of various buttons, dials, switches, etc. on the a7iii, you can change your settings on the fly with ease.
Shooting a wedding and the sun just dipped behind the clouds? No problem, pop into “memory recall” mode and switch your settings within less than a second.
Photographing an event and the conditions keep changing? Easily swap between various focus and drive modes as needed with the touch of a single button.
Seriously, with the plethora of custom buttons and the various dials, you can change every single setting on the fly.
No digging through menus when you’re trying to capture a critical moment.
Battery Life for Long Shoots
Another benefit for professionals? Crazy good battery life.
Gone are the days when DSLRs ruled the battery life competition.
With the Sony a7iii, you can expect to have hours of performance (rated for 610 shots, realistically higher from my tests) before needing to pause and swap out a battery.
With this kind of battery life, you run less of a risk of missing important shots and slowing down photoshoots.
Incredible Lenses
Next up: access to Sony’s incredible and diverse lens selection.
If you’re just getting your photography business off the ground, chose an “off-brand” lens from Sigma or Viltrox for fabulous quality at a reasonable price.
Looking for the very best? Sony has a huge selection of incredible G-Master lenses.
Adaptable Lenses
But wait, what if you’re switching from a DSLR system? Well, you can fully adapt any Canon lens onto Sony cameras.
So, if you’re not ready to part with your beloved Canon 24-70mm F2.8 (understandable), you can adapt it!
Dual Card Slots
Finally, the last benefit for pro shooters: dual card slots.
With dual card slots, you’ll never have to worry about losing an entire photoshoot due to an SD card failing.
It is worth noting, however, that only one card slot supports UHS-II, while the other slot is stuck with UHS-I cards.
Still, it’s great to have a backup!
My Final Thoughts
Value for Money
So yeah, at the end of the day, there are plenty of full-frame cameras out there that offer (close to) what the Sony a7iii does, but rarely do any of them offer it at such a great price.
For less than $2000, you’re getting a professional-grade camera that will be competitive for, quite literally, the next decade.
Sure, the a7iv just came out, but for the vast majority of photographers, it’s not worth paying the huge premium for a marginal upgrade. The a7iii is more than excellent for most.
I really do believe that, at this price point, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that offers a better value than what the Sony a7iii can.
Seriously, it’s a phenomenal camera.
Conclusion
Anyways, now that you’ve read over 7000 words of praise (wow, this article was long!) on my camera, I hope I’ve convinced you to pick one up for yourself.
It offers a wealth of benefits for enthusiasts and professionals alike, with incredible image quality, a bulletproof build, incredible AF, and a whole host of other fantastic features. It’s really just spectacular in (almost!) every way.
I truly do believe that, even with newer cameras on the market, the Sony a7iii still offers the best value for someone looking to upgrade to full frame in 2023. Genuinely, this camera ticks all the boxes.
Anywho, if I’ve convinced you to pick one up, I’ll leave purchase links below. Thanks a lot for reading!
Pst… by the way, if you buy it and want to learn more, the site is filled with all sorts of a7iii-related guides. Just saying… 😉
Additional Sony a7iii Sample Photos
And here are even more sample photos from the Sony a7iii!
If you’ve made it this far, you’re awesome. Thanks for reading about my camera and looking at my pictures! Just a final note, if the a7iii sounds like the camera for you, purchasing it through this link grants me a small commission. Thanks! <3