The focus of this page is the Sony Alpha 7 III, Model No: ILCE-7M3, a.k.a. a7 III, α7 III, a7M3.
The information here may also apply to the other Sony Alpha cameras, like the a7R III, a9, a9 II, a6400, a7R IV, a7S III, a7 IV, a1, Alpha 1, etc.
Sony Alpha 7 III – Front View 
Sony Alpha 7 III – Top View 
Sony Alpha 7 III – Back View
Firmware Updates
Make sure that you update to the latest firmware on your cameras, lenses, and other hardware.
- Sony α7 III (ILCE-7M3 / ILCE-7M3K) with 35-mm full-frame image sensor
- Firmware v3.10, released 2019-12-17
- Adds the “External Flash Set” function, Sony flashed only?, which allows you to configure the settings of an attached flash or wireless radio commander (both sold separately) directly from the camera.
- Improves the overall stability of the camera
- Firmware v3.01, released 2019-05-15
- Firmware v3.10, released 2019-12-17
- Bulletproof Guide to Sony Camera Firmware Updates by Brian Smith
- Warning: Brian Smith’s guide is good. But, a part of step 5 “disabling security software” is very questionable, and not recommended, especially if one is still connected to the Internet, as your computer may be vulnerable during the time the security software is disabled. Do not disable security software!
Where are Photos and Videos on the SD Card?
- Photos are located in: DCIM \ 100MSDCF
- Videos are located in: PRIVATE \ M4ROOT \ CLIP
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), Auto Focus
Activating Real Time Eye AF
- Menu > Camera Settings 1 > AF2 > Face/Eye AF Settings > Face/Eye Priority in AF = On
How to use “Eye AF” (Eye Auto Focus) on the Sony a7 III
- Use the Fn (Function) [14] button to set the “Focus Mode” to AF-C (Auto Focus – Continuous).
- Use the Fn (Function) [14] button to set the “Focus Area” to Flexible Spot: L.
Note: Lock-On AF: Expanded Flexible is not compatible with Real Time Eye AF - As of Firmware v3.00, by default, 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.
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
- How Real Time Eye AF works with a7 III & a7R III FW 3.00 by Brian Smith
- Sony a7iii & a7riii firmware 3.0 Fn menu tab fix and eye af fix for flexable spot by David Oastler
- Sony a7 iii quick tip – Eye AF – What it is / How to set it up by BiscuitsAlive
- Game-Changer: Continuous Eye AF by Alpha Universe
Auto Focus Modes
- Choosing the Best Focus Area on your Sony Alpha Camera by Mark Galer’s Alpha Creative Skills
- To learn more about Focus when using Sony Alpha cameras there is an extended 90-minute video available: Sony Alpha Focus Masterclass
- Sony A7 III Autofocus Settings – A Complete Guide to the AF menu settings by PhotoGearNews
- Sony a7iii focus modes explained by David Oastler
- Understanding Focus Area on Sony Mirrorless Cameras by The Gary Fong Channel
- Sony Focus Modes – Get the most out of your A73, A7R3, A9, A7S2, A7R2 by Chris Turner
- Fast Low-Light AF when using Sony Alpha Cameras by Mark Galer’s Alpha Creative Skills
- Whether to use back button AF on Sony by Adam Brown
Prioritize Focusing While Using Continuous Auto focus and High fps
- Set: Menu > Camera Settings 1 > AF1: 5/14 > [Priority Set in AF-C] = AF
- [Priority Set in AF-C] The shutter will release, even if the subject is not in focus, when the continuous AF is activated and the subject is in motion.
- AF-S: 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 needs to, in order to make sure the auto focus is correct.
Manual Focus
DMF (Direct Manual Focus) with Focus Peaking
Metering Modes
- Sony Alpha Light Metering Modes by Mark Galer’s Alpha Creative Skills
- Expose for the highlights, then process for the shadows in post.
- This Is How To Get Perfect Exposure In Camera by Gary Hart
- One of the great advances of mirrorless technology brings is the ability to see the histogram before you actually shoot the photo.
Exposure
Enable Zebras to show overexposed highlights. a.k.a. Expose to the Right (ETTR)
- Zebra 109+ for Sony Raw Photographers by Mark Galer
- Using Zebra for Photography Sony a7 III by Aron J Anderson
ISO and Dynamic Range
- Photographic Dynamic Range versus ISO Setting – PhotonsToPhotos.net
- On the Sony a7 III, skip ISO 500 and go to ISO 640. ISO 640 has about the same dynamic range as ISO 400, and both are better than ISO 500.
Setup Guides
- How to Record RAW in Slot 1 and JPEG in Slot 2 on Sony Alpha Cameras
- Sony A7III-A7RIII Custom-Settings and Support eBook by Mark Galer
- This is a 200-page eBook in PDF format for the A7III and A7RIII cameras. This eBook offers you learning support in setting up your ‘series three’/MKIII full-frame camera. The eBook contains dozens of links to educational movies and articles that will help you master your camera and also the craft of taking creative and technically excellent photographs.
- Sony Help Guide for Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera ILCE-7M3 α7III (Sony.net)
- Recommended Sony A7 III Settings (PhotographyLife.com)
- Sony a7R III Training Tutorial by Tony & Chelsea Northrup
- 1-hour video user guide, with time code index, for the Sony a7R III (http://sdp.io/a7r3). (Applies to the other Sony Alpha 7x’s)
- The Sony A7 III review that shows you everything (in 4K) by Maarten Heilbron
- How to Set Up Your Sony A7iii, & Other Sony Mirrorless Cameras- Menu, Function, Custom Buttons by Jason Lanier
- Sony a7III – How I Setup for Photos & Videos | Setup Guide and Menu Settings by Jason Vong
- Camera Settings for Shooting Portraits – Sony Alpha a7lll, A7RIII and A9 by Mark Galer’s Alpha Creative Skills
- How to Set Up and Configure your new Sony a7III by Paul Gero
- Camera Settings for Shooting Action – Sony Alpha A7RIII and A7III by Mark Galer’s Alpha Creative Skills
- Guide to Sony a7 III Camera Menu Settings Hacks by Brian Smith
Setup Guides for Video
- Sony A7 III Best Video Settings by Maarten Heilbron
- Sony A7 III Best Low Light Settings by Make.Art.NowGood intro on dynamic range
- Best quality video with the A7 III is 4K 24fps at 100Mbps
- This custom profile set up is not suitable for daylight or evening hours. It needs to be used in darkest environments for best results to avoid blown out highlights.
- Setting up the Sony a7III for Filmmaking by Gear Glasses & Gadgets
Sony a7 III Tracker at NowInStock.net
Sony a7 III In Stock / Availability Tracker
Tips
General Notes
- The Sony Alpha 7 III, at least in the U.S.A., has a recording limit of 30 minutes.
- “Native ISO” is the ISO that the camera will produce the highest dynamic range that is advertised with the lowest noise levels. For the Sony A7 III it is ISO 100 and ISO 640.
- Read Noise in DNs versus ISO Setting for Sony ILCE-7M3
- ISO 640 produces less noise and wider dynamic range than ISO 201 to ISO 503.
- Sony a7 III dynamic range and high ISO improve over its predecessor
Shutter Count / Shutter Activations
- You can read the “Image Count,” a.k.a. shutter activation/count, using the ExifTool by Phil Harvey. Silent/quiet shutter activations are not counted.
- SONY Alpha shutter control tool: This tool will provide the number of shutter actuations that the camera has made up to the file in question.
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 parameters.
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
- To minimize the chance of loosing the eyepiece cup, put a piece of Gaffer tape across the top, between the back of the hot shoe and the lip of the eyepiece rubber, to cover the seam where the eyepiece cup connects to the body of the camera.
News, Discussion, Issues, Fixes
- Sony A7 III: Low-light performer by DxOMark.com
- Sony a7 III vs. Canon EOS R vs. Nikon Z6 Specs Comparison by Sony Rumors
- r/Sony Alpha: Reddit’s most popular camera brand-specific subreddit! We focus on Sony Alpha cameras: Sony E Mount, Sony A Mount, legacy Minolta cameras, RX cameras, lenses, flashes, photoshare, and discussion.
- Big Problem With the Sony A7 III… It Stretches Your Video! by DSLR Video Shooter
- When you shoot 4K, 24fps in full frame mode on the A7 III, your video will be stretched vertically. Your video looks squeezed when compared to the Super 35mm mode or when compared to full frame HD.
- For now, you can either ignore the issue (very minimal effect on most shots) or you can stretch the X axis by 1% in your editor.
- Sony A7iii Review for Filmmakers || Sony A7 iii VS Canon 1DX Mark ii by Green Light Life
User Experiences with Sony Alpha Cameras
- Sony Mirrorless Cameras for Music Photography by Adam Elmakias (Music Photography Blog)