Overview
The 12.2 MP Full-Frame 35mm Exmor CMOS sensor on the Sony Alpha a7S Mirrorless Camera offers 50x more surface area than conventional compact camera sensors. Capture sport stills on overcast days or shoot movies in low-light situations due to high sensitivity (ISO up to 409600) and ability to freeze motion at fast shutter speeds. You can output uncompressed 4:2:2 UHD 4K video to an optional external recorder. The sensor includes RGB color filter array and a gapless, on-chip lens design. This camera also offers the flexibility to add external audio and incorporate off-board video monitoring.
Features:
- 35mm sensor with large pixels for high ISO and dynamic range
- 12.2MP sensor optimized for low light video
- Fast Intelligent AF in light as low as EV -4
- Uncompressed 4:2:2 Full HD and 4K QFHD output via HDMI (requires compatible recorder)
- 50Mbps XAVC S 1920x1080 at 60P, 1280x720 at 120P
- A professional workflow with Picture Profile, S-Log2 and timecode
- High contrast 2.4-million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- Continuous Speed Priority shooting with a 5 fps rate (2.5 fps with continuous AF)
- Audio level controls, AAC/Linear PCM, optional XLR kit
- Compatible with Sony E-mount lenses and many others (adapter may be required)
- Simple connectivity to smartphones via WiFi or NFC
Recording
The Sony a7S records using high bitrate AVCHD or XAVC S codec for post production editing of movies or choose MP4 to upload and share your work on social media. Create dramatic slow motion effects by capturing at up to 24p frame rates.
XAVC S is built from the XAVC format used by professional filmmakers and broadcasters. It uses intelligent data compressing for consumer-friendly editing and file sizes.
Shoot movies in APS-C crop mode which supports 120 fps HD (1280 x 720) resolution. You can playback movies captured at this frame rate at 24p to include 5x slow motion effects in your work.
High ISO settings permit you to record with natural light. Stills range from ISO 50 to 409600 while movies range from 100 to 409600.
Audio records via the AAC/Linear PCM format on the internal, stereo microphone or via an external microphone. There is also a built-in headphone jack for on-board monitoring.
HDMI Output & One-Touch Sharing
Simultaneously record video to on-board media or to an external, optional recorder in a variety of formats. Playback uncompressed formats of UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 4:2:2 color depth to a third-party recorder which is compatible.
HDMI Output includes:
- 3840 x 2160 30p / 24p
- 1920 x 1080 60p / 24p
- 1920 x 1080 (60i), YCbCr 4:2:2 8-bit / RGB 8-bit
You can record internally to media cards then output your HDMI 1080p at 4:2:2 on external monitors and recorders without 4K inputs.
Using the PlayMemories App and One-Touch Remote, plus the built-in WiFi capabilities of the a7S, you can pair your smartphone or tablet to your Sony a7S camera. Here you can locate a list of compatible devices, plus the latest App for download, and view help files.
One-Touch Sharing offers you the ability to transfer your photos and videos from the camera.
The PlayMemories App helps you remotely control your camera with your NFC-enabled Android smartphone or tablet (for immediate use) or you can pair it manually. One touch connects your camera and smartphone or tablet. You can remotely activate recording, stand in your group selfie, transfer videos to your smartphone for sharing.
Image Processing, Setting & Color Adjustments
The BIONZĀ® X image processor Sony included in the Alpha a7S mirrorless camera delivers natural detail, realistic images with rich tonal gradation, plus lower noise when capturing both still photos or movies.
Sony's proprietary S-Log2 gamma setting helps with post production flexibility. A preset Picture Profile offers up to 14 stops of dynamic range so you can gather details in sunlight or deep shadow.
The a7S also includes PictureProfile modes which help you modify your movies prior to shooting. Choose to adjust:
Gradation - Black Level, Gamma, Black Gamma
Color - Color Mode, Intensity, Color Tone, Depth
Basic Color - Gamma, Color Mode
and much more. You can save the adjusted parameters by storing up to 7 profiles for later use.
In addition, the a7S offers focus peaking to aid with your manual focus needs, plus zebra markers to adjust overexposure.
Autofocus
An enhanced Fast Hybrid Autofocus (AF) on the Alpha a7S camera incoporates these features:
- Phase-detection AF to bring a subject in focus
- Contrast-Detection AF to fine tune your focus points
- Spatial Object Detection to estimate the movement of your subject
Viewfinder & LCD Display Included
The 0.5" XGA OLED Tru-Finder included with this mirrorless camera is a digital EVF with 0.71x magnification ideal for eyelevel camera shots. Unlike optical viewfinders, the XGA OLED Tru-Finder permits composition of black and white photos, preview of exposure adjustments prior to recording/pressing the shutter. It also offers these benefits to enhance your capture abilities: 100% frame coverage, a wide viewing angle, display modes, a peaking function, plus focus magnification.
Hold the camera in high overhead shots or capture at a low-angle without losing the ability to live monitor your imagery. Sony's tilting LCD screen (upwards 90Ā° and downwards 45Ā°) delivers you that option for flexible camera positioning.
Professional Audio Overlay & Monitoring
Despite the handheld nature of the a7S camera, Sony has provided the ability to boost this camera into the professional sphere. You can monitor sound during movie recording or playback with the built-in 3.5mm headphone jack or you can track audio levels via an overlay on the LCD display with on-screen monitoring. You can also connect to external, professional microphones and audio mixers using an optional XLR terminal adapter kit. The overlay is also available inside the viewfinder. Audio is also benefited if you incorporate the compatible and optional Sony XLR-k1M XLR adapter to record balanced XLR audio signals with phantom power and adjustable mic or line input.
Durable & Lightweight Camera Body
Sony incorporated durability into this camera body by engineering sealing on buttons and dials, plus a protective double-layered body structure to tightly interlock panels and components. This makes the camera dust and moisture resistant, but you will require a rain cover in inclement weather.
The lightweight nature of the magnesium alloy body provides both long-term use comfort as well as portability. The a7S weighs 17.25 oz with the battery.
Timecode Supported
As you know, timecode helps speed up your editing workflow when syncing footage from multiple cameras. There are a few tricks which Sony included on the a7S to help your timecode process:
Record Run - advances timecode only while recording
Free Run - provides continuous timecode advancement
User Bit - adds identifying information like scene or take data alongside your timecode
Customize & Assign Buttons
Major camera functions will appear with Quick Navi Pro on the on-board LCD display screen. It helps you confirm settings or make adjustments without diving into countless menus to find your desired change. With button customization possibilities you can assign frequently used functions to the customizable buttons you choose.
Compatibility
The Sony a7S Mirrorless Camera is compatible with Final Cut Pro X and iMovie (Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and MacĀ® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Mac logo is a trademark of Apple Inc.).
What's in the Box
- 1 x Sony a7S Full Frame Mirrorless E-mount Camera
Specifications
Key Highlights
- 12.2MP sensor optimized for low light
- Compatible with E-mount lenses
- High ISO & dynamic range
- Intelligent & fast AF
- Pair with smartphone & tablet via WiFI