Sony Alpha Cameras

The focus of this page are the Sony Alpha 7 III and Sony Alpha 7 IV, but may also apply to other Sony Alpha cameras, like the a7R III, a9, a9 II, a9 III, a7R IV, α7R IV, α7S III, a7S III, α1, a1, Alpha 1, a7 RV, a7 RMV, a7 R5, etc.

News, Discussion

Tips / Fixes / Solutions

Technology

Sony Alpha 7 IV

Sony Alpha 7 IV, Model No: ILCE7M4, a.k.a. a7 IV, α7 IV, a7M4

Specifications

  • Sensor
    • Sensor Type: 35mm Full Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) Exmor R CMOS
    • Maximum Resolution: 7008 x 4672 pixels / 33 Megapixels (MP)
    • Aspect Ratio: 3:2
  • File Size
    • File size (Uncompressed RAW) ≈ 65 MB
    • File size (Lossless RAW [L – Full Size RAW] ) ≈ 39 MB
  • Burst FPS
    • 6 fps (Uncompressed RAW & Lossless Compressed RAW)
    • Up to 10 fps (Compressed RAW & JPEG)
  • Focusing
    • Eye Autofocus with Real-time Tracking (RTT)
      • Tracking is sticky once the AF locks. The camera follows the selected subject as it moves outside the confines of the initial focus area box.
      • I usually use: Focus Area > Tracking Expanded Spot
  • 2 Memory card slots: 
    • Slot 1: SD (UHS-II) or CF-express Type A
    • Slot 2: SD (UHS-II)
  • ISO Sensitivity
    • Still images: ISO 100 to 51,200
    • Movies: ISO 100 to 51,200
  • Dynamic Range: 15 Stops
  • In-body stabilization up to 5.5 stops compensation
  • Focus Breathing Compensation, exclusively for Sony’s E-mount lenses.
  • 4K video: 
    • 10-Bit 4.2.2 Internal Video
    • 4K 60p has a 1.5x crop.
      • For wide angle in 4K 60p, the Sony E 10-18mm lens, or Tamron 11-20mm, gives you a full frame equivalent of 15-27mm.
  • No recording limit for video.
  • Sony Help Guide: ILCE-7M4 α7IV

Firmware Updates

Reference

Settings / Configuration, Alpha 7 IV

Separate photo and video settings

  • Setup > Operation Customize > Different Set for Still/Mv
  • I recommend you enable all the options

Write Camera Serial Number to EXIF

  • Shooting > File > Write Serial Number = On
  • Note: In Adobe Lightroom Classic, Metadata > Customize… tick Serial Number.

Live View Display

  • Shooting > Shooting Display > Live View Display Set > Live View Display
    • On = What You See, Is What You Get.
    • Off = When using flash, will lighten up the view finder so you can see.

Focus Breathing compensation

  • Shooting > Image Quality > Lens Compensation > Breathing Comp.
  • * Only compatible with some Sony lenses

Dynamic Range (D-Range) Disable

  • Exposure/Color > Color/Tone > D-Range Optimizer = Off
  • (D-Range = Dynamic Range. Applies to JPEG and live view). Off to make sure JPEG preview and RAW look the same when checking exposure.

Shutter When Powered Off / Anti-Dust Function

  • I recommend you do NOT enable this function. It’s off by default.
  • You risk damaging the shutter because the shutter is way more fragile than the glass covered sensor.
  • Cleaning the sensor is easier and less expensive than repairing or replacing a shutter.
  • If the shutter does block dust from getting on the sensor, unless you actually clean the shutter, that dust still remains INSIDE the camera body. So, each time you release the shutter, that dust is moved around inside the body, and is likely to end up on your sensor anyway or someplace else that might actually damage the camera.
  • Setup > Setup Option > Anti-dust Function > Shutter When Pwr OFF = Off

Save/Load Settings to Memory Card

Focus Modes & Autofocus

Improve Autofocus in Low light

Preventing Overheating

While shooting 4K video, the camera may overheat and shutdown. There are some things you can do to increase the time before the camera shuts down.

  • Change the automatic temperature overheating shutoff:
    • Setup > Power Setting Option > “Auto Pwr OFF Temp.” = “High”
  • Pull the LCD panel away from the body.
  • The battery is a source of heat. Leaving the battery door open my help the heat from the battery to escape the camera.
  • Do not leave your camera in a hot car or unprotected from direct sunlight.

Sony Alpha 7 III

Sony Alpha 7 III, Model No: ILCE-7M3, a.k.a. a7 III, α7 III, a7M3

Sony Alpha 7 III Front View
Sony Alpha 7 III – Front View
Sony Alpha 7 III Top View
Sony Alpha 7 III – Top View
Sony Alpha 7 III Back View
Sony Alpha 7 III – Back View

Specifications

  • Sensor
    • Sensor Type: 35mm Full-Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) CMOS Sensor
    • Maximum Resolution: 6000 x 4000 pixels / 24 Megapixels (MP)
    • Aspect Ratio: 3:2
  • File Size
    • File size (Uncompressed RAW) ≈ 47 MB
  • Burst FPS: 10 fps (Uncompressed RAW, JPEG)
  • Focusing: Eye Autofocus
  • 2 Memory card slots: 
    • Slot 1: SD (UHS-II)
    • Slot 2: SD (UHS-I)
  • Dynamic Range: 15 Stops
  • In-body stabilization up to 5 stops compensation
  • 4K video:
    • 30 minute recording limit for video.

Reference

Firmware Updates

Make sure you update to the latest firmware on your cameras, lenses, and other hardware.

To view the firmware version, go Menu (Setup7) > Page 7/7 > Version

Where are Photos and Videos Saved?

Menu Navigation

The [ front scroll wheel ] moves the selection up and down.

  • Move up to the icon row, then use the rear scroll wheel to move through the menu icons.
  • The Fn key moves forward through the menu icons.

The [ rear scroll wheel ] moves forward and back through the pages of each menu.

Eye Auto Focus (Eye AF), Real Time Eye AF

Important:

  • The person’s eye must be within the Focus Area rectangle to register/be tracked/be detected.
  • Make sure you’re using the latest Firmware for the best Eye AF functionality and performance.

How to use “Eye AF” (Eye Auto Focus) on the Sony a7 III

  1. Set the “Focus Mode” to AF-C (Auto Focus –  Continuous).
    • Menu 1 (AF2), Page 5/14
    • Also set “Priority Set in AF-C” to AF
  2. Set the “Focus Area” to Wide or Zone
    • Menu 1 (AF1) Page 5/14
    • Important: An eye must be within the Focus Area rectangle to register/be tracked.
    • Note: Lock-On AF: Expanded Flexible is not compatible with Real Time Eye AF
    • Tip: If you’re in a crowd, try, Flexible Spot: L, to isolate the person of interest.
  3. Enable “Face/Eye Priority in AF” (Real Time Eye AF)
    • Menu 1 (Camera Settings 1) (AF2) Page 6/14
    • Face/Eye AF Settings > Face/Eye Priority in AF = On
    • Set Subject Detection = Human
  4. Eye AF activates with a half-press of the shutter release button.
    • With Firmware lower than v3.00, Press & hold the “select button” in the center of the Control Wheel [15] to enable Eye AF.
    • Alternatively, you can program Eye AF to the AF-ON or AEL button to make it easier to engage Eye AF, when using firmware prior to v3.00. (i.e. Back button focus)

How Real Time Eye AF works with Different Focus Areas

  • [Wide] Real Time Eye AF will search & track an eye within the entire frame
  • [Zone] Real Time Eye AF will search & track an eye within the selected Zone
  • [Center] Real Time Eye AF will search & track an eye within the center of the frame. (Not recommended)
  • [Flexible Spot: L,M,S] Real Time Eye AF will search & track an eye within the selected Flexible Spot. (Large works best for this setting)
  • [Expand Flexible Spot] Real Time Eye AF will search & track an eye within the area or surrounding the Flexible Spot
  • [Lock-on AF: Expand Flexible Spot] *Not compatible with Real Time Eye AF

Reference

Auto Focus Modes

Prioritize Focusing While Using Continuous AF and High fps

  • Set: Menu: Camera Settings 1 > Page, AF1: 5/14 > [Priority Set in AF-C] = AF
    • AF: Prioritizes focusing. The shutter will not release until the subject is in focus.
    • This allows the camera to reduce the # of frames/second, if it must, to make sure the focus is correct.

Manual Focus

DMF (Direct Manual Focus) with Focus Peaking

Metering Modes

Exposure

Enable Zebras to show overexposed highlights

ISO and Dynamic Range

Silent Shooting Mode

Access to Silent Shooting Mode is via Menu 2 (Shutter/SteadyShot) Pg. 4/9. I’ve assigned Silent Shooting to C1 on my A7 III. This allows me to easily toggle silent mode on/off.

Restrictions when using the Silent Shooting feature:

  • Silent Shooting can only be selected when the mode dial is set to P(rogram), A(perture priority), S(hutter priority), and M(anual) modes.
  • The flash can’t be used. The camera won’t trigger the flash while in Silent Shooting mode. When you turn off Silent Shooting, you may have to cycle the power on the camera to get the flash working again.

When the Silent Shooting feature is enabled, the following functions are not available:

  • e-Front Curtain Shutter
  • Auto HDR
  • Picture Effect
  • Picture Profile
  • Long Exposure NR
  • BULB shooting
  • If the RAW file type is set to uncompressed, and you’re making RAW or RAW+JPEG photos, you won’t be able to use bracketing.

Setup Guides

Custom Key Configuration

The following are the Sony a7 III Custom Button/Key Assignments I use for faster access to change or toggle settings.

  • Custom Key 1 = Silent Shooting on/off selection.
    • I’ve been making photos on the set of the Sk8Kingz documentary. So I toggle silent on while they’re recording.
  • Custom Key 2 = Focus Area selection.
    • I often switch between Wide, Zone, or Flexible Spot: L
  • Custom Key 3 = Shot. Result Preview.
    • For checking proper exposure when using flash.
  • Custom Key 4 = Toggle touch screen on/off. When using the EVF with touch on, your nose may change the focus point if it touches the LCD.
  • Control Wheel = ISO selection.
  • AEL Button: Recall Custom Hold 1 for DMF (Direct Manual Focus) access

Setup Guides for Video

Sony a7 III Tracker at NowInStock.net

Sony a7 III In Stock / Availability Tracker

Tips

General Notes

Shutter Count / Shutter Activations

Sony Alpha Shutter/Image Counter

  • This tool provides the number of shutter actuations up to the file in question.
  • Electronic/silent/quiet shutter activations are not counted.
  • The photo is evaluated on the local computer within the Web browser.
  • This tool is based on ExifTool by Phil Harvey.

Camera Shutter Count

  • Take a new picture and upload it unedited, the image will not be stored.
  • Supports Sony, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Ricoh, etc.

Metadata2Go.com is a free online tool that allows you to access the hidden exif & meta data of your files.

  • Shows the shutter_count using a Sony RAW (.arw)

Sony A7 III, how to manually control A, S and ISO?

  • After switching the camera to A, S, or P, modes, you can use the front wheel to change the values.

Preventing Overheating

While shooting 4K video, the camera may overheat and shutdown. There are some things you can do to increase the time before the camera overheats.

  • Change the automatic temperature overheating shutoff: Set “Auto Pwr OFF Temp.” to “High” (Setup Menu, Page 2of7)
  • Pull the LCD panel away from the body.
  • The battery is a source of heat. Leaving the battery door open my help the heat from the battery to escape the camera.
  • Do not leave your camera in a hot car or unprotected from direct sunlight.

Replacement Parts

Eyepiece Cup

Multi Interface Shoe Cap

LCD Screen Repair / Replacement

Shutter Repair / Replacement

Tethered Capture with Sony Cameras

Tethering is a great way to see your photos in real-time during a photo session. To start, you’ll need to do the following:

  1. On your Sony camera go to your USB Connection menu and change the setting from the default of “Auto” to “PC Remote”
  2. Download and install Sony’s Imaging Edge Desktop software (free) to get the Remote (Tether) function or you can use Tether Tools Smart Shooter ($99.99), to send images directly from your Sony camera to your computer.
  3. Connect a USB Tether cable between the Sony camera and your computer.

The remaining steps will depend on the software you want import or view the captured photos with.

As of Feb. 2024, Adobe Lightroom Classic does not have native tethered camera support for Sony cameras.

User Experiences

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