The Sony Alpha a7S Mirrorless Digital Camera features a full-frame 12.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor to enable notable video and still image quality with an expansive dynamic range, low noise, and extended sensitivity to ISO 409600. At the sensor level, this full-frame sensor features a unique on-chip gapless lens design, which incorporates small lenses between neighboring pixels in order to increase light-gathering efficiency and promote greater image quality across the entirety of the sensor plane. The sensor and processor combination also avails a wealth of speed throughout the camera system, including a top continuous shooting rate of 5 fps, support for 4K video recording, and a fast 25-point contrast-detection AF system with sensitivity to -4 EV.
Beyond its still image performance, the a7S is also quite adept in regard to recording video. It is able to output uncompressed 4:2:2 UHD 4K video to an optional external recorder over HDMI, as well as record full HD 1080p video in the high-quality XAVC S format at 50 Mbps in multiple frame rates. Extending the video recording capabilities is support for S-Log2 gamma, which helps to expand the effective dynamic range during recording, as well as picture profile options, time code, and zebra marker display aids. Sound can be recorded in the AAC/Linear PCM format via the internal stereo microphone, with a built-in headphone jack for on-board monitoring, or via an external microphone.
Rounding out the a7S's imaging capabilities, both a 3.0" 921.6k-dot tilting LCD monitor and 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder are available for image monitoring and review. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, with support for NFC, is available, too, for instant sharing of imagery from the camera as well as remote camera control from a linked mobile device.
Lens Compatibility | Sony E-mount Full Frame, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta Maxxum A-mount lenses confirmed via optional LA-EA3/LA-EA4 adaptor |
Lens Mount | Sony E-mount Full Frame |
Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens Digital Mirrorless Camera |
Sensor | 35mm full frame Exmor CMOS sensor (35.8 x 23.9mm) Pixel Gross: 12.4 Megapixels (approx.) Processor: BIONZ® X image processor Anti Dust: Charge protection coating on optical filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism |
Audio Format | XAVC S: LPCM 2ch. AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch., Dolby Digital Stereo Creator MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch. |
Media Type | SD / SDHC (UHS-I compliant) / SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant), Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo |
Microphone/Speaker | Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-XYST1M / XLR-K1M (sold separately), Built-in monaural speaker; volume settings in 8 steps between 0 and 7 |
Still File Foramt | JPEG: DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant, RAW: Sony ARW 2.3 format |
Still Image Max Effective Resolution | 12.2 Megapixels |
Still Image Mode | RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Extra fine, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard |
Still Image Size 3:2 | 35mm full frame: L: 4240 x 2832 (12M), M: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), S: 2128 x 1416 (3M) APS-C: L: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), M: 2128 x 1416 (3M), S: 1376 x 920 (1.3M) |
Still Image Size 4:3 | 35mm full frame: L: 4240 x 2384 (10M), M: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), S: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M) APS-C: L: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), M: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), S: 1376 x 776 (1.1M) |
Video Format | XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4 |
Video Mode | XAVC S, AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant, MP4 Uncompressed 4K and HD output via HDMI |
Video Resolution | High Definition 1920 x 1080p / 60 fps (50Mbps) 1920 x 1080p / 30 fps (50Mbps) 1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (50Mbps) High Definition 1280 x 720p / 120 fps (50Mbps) (50Mbps) High Definition AVCHD 1920 x 1080p / 60 fps (28Mbps) 1920 x 1080i / 60 fps (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080i / 60 fps (17Mbps) High Definition AVCHD 1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (17Mbps) High Definition MP4 1440 x 1080p / 30 fps (12Mbps) / 25 fps (12Mbps) Standard Definition MP4 640 x 480p / 30 fps (3Mbps) / 25 fps (3Mbps) |
Video Signal | NTSC & PAL color, EIA standards |
Viewfinder | Type: 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) XGA OLED color electronic viewfinder (2,359,296 dots) Brightness Control: Auto / Manual (3 steps between -1 and +1) Field of View: 100% Magnification: Approx. 0.71x with 50 mm lens at infinity, -1m-1 (diopter) |
LCD Type | 3.0" (7.5cm) TFT LCD (921,600 dots) with tiltable design |
Brightness Control | Manual (5 steps between -2 to +2), Sunny Weather mode |
Coverage | 100% |
Live View | Continuous Live View |
Real-time image adjustment display | Yes (On/Off) |
Histogram | Yes (On/off) |
Peaking | Yes (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow) |
Focus System | Contrast-detection AF |
Focus Points | 25 points (contrast-detection AF) |
AF Modes | Single-shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (MF) |
Focus Area | Wide (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Zone |
Focus Sensitivity | EV 0 to 20 EV (at ISO100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens attached) |
Auto Exposure Lock | Auto Exposure Lock (AEL) button, Locked when shutter button is pressed halfway (Can be disabled from the Menu) |
Color Temperature | 2500-9900K with 15-step each Magenta/Green compensation (G7 to M7), Amber/Blue (A7 to B7), Custom |
Exposure Settings | AUTO (iAUTO, Superior Auto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Scene Selection, Sweep Panorama, Movie |
ISO | Still images: ISO 100-409600 |
Metering | Advanced 1200-zone evaluative metering |
Metering Modes | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot |
Metering Sensitivity | EV 0 to 20 EV (at ISO100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens attached) |
White Balance Mode | Auto WB / Daylight / Shade / Cloudy / Incandescent / Fluorescent (Warm White / Cool White / Day White / Daylight) / Flash / Color Temperature (2500 to 9900K) & Color Filter (G7 to M7: 15 steps, A7 to B7: 15 steps) / Custom / Underwater |
Continuous Shooting Speed | Speed Priority Continuous shooting: Max. 5.0fps, Continuous shooting: Max. 2.5fps |
Drive Mode | Single shooting, Continuous shooting, Speed Priority Continuous shooting, Self-timer (10/2 sec delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.) (10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures selectable), Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance, DRO) |
Self-timer | 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay |
Shutter Speeds | 1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb |
Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
A/V Remote Terminal | Yes, via Multi Terminal interface |
Accessory Shoe | Yes, Multi Interface Shoe |
BRAVIA Sync | Yes, via HDMI® with compatible BRAVIA HDTV (link menu) |
DC IN | Yes via optional AC-PW20AM (sold separately) |
HDMI Terminal | HDMI Type D micro connector |
HD Output | Uncompressed 4K (3840 x 2160)*1 Uncompressed HD (1920x1080)*1 BRAVIA Sync (link menu) PhotoTV HD 4k Still image playback" |
Headphone Jack | Yes |
Memory Card Slot | Multi slot for SD / Memory Stick PRO Duo media |
Microphone Input | Yes |
Multi Interface Shoe | Yes |
NFC | Yes (NFC Forum Type 3 Tag compatible, One-touch remote, One-touch sharing) |
PhotoTV HD | Yes, with BRAVIA Sync enabled HDTV and HDMI® cable |
PictBridge Compatible | Yes |
Remote Commander | Yes, via optional RM-VPR1 |
Remote Release / Wired | Yes, via optional RM-VPR1 |
Tripod Mount | Yes, 1/4-20 |
USB Port(s) | USB 2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, MTP) |
Vertical Grip Connector | Yes, for optional VG-C1EM |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
Dimensions (Approx.) | Approx. 5 x 3-3/4 x 1-15/16" (approx. 126.9 x 94.4 x 48.2mm) |
Weight (Approx.) | With battery and Memory card: Approx. 1 lb 1.2oz (approx. 489g) |
Weight(Approx) (Main unit only) | Approx. 15.7 oz (approx. 446g) |
Battery Capacity | 1080 mAh |
Battery Type | InfoLITHIUM® NP-FW50 (7.2V) |
External Power | Yes via optional AC-PW20AM (sold separately) |
Number of Still Images | Number of Still Images Approx. 360 images with LCD monitor on (CIPA standard) |
Power Requirements | One rechargeable battery pack (NP-FW50) |
Supplied Battery Charger | Charger (BC-TRW) |
Operating System Compatibility | Image Data Converter 4.0: Microsoft Windows® Vista® SP2, Windows® 7 SP1, Windows® 8 (Pentium 4 or faster) Mac OS X (10.6-10.8) (Intel Core Solo/Core Duo/Core 2 Duo or faster) PlayMemories Home: Microsoft Windows® Vista® SP2, Windows® 7 SP1, Windows® 8 (Pentium III 800 MHz or faster; for playing/editing HD movies: Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz or faster/Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz or faster (AVC HD (FX/FH)) Mac OS X (10.6-10.8) (Intel Core Solo/Core Duo/Core 2 Duo or faster) |
Reviews Sony Alpha a7S Mirrorless Digital Camera (Free Sony 64GB SDHC Memory Card) (2 x Sony Batteries + Sony Charger Included Inside Box) (Sony Malaysia)
27/11/2014