Sony a7S Mirrorless Digital Camera

Its 1080p footage is the cleanest, most detailed we've yet seen, with virtually no moiré and often jaw-dropping low-light performance. Some of the low light advantage is undercut if you need to stop-down to achieve sufficient depth-of-field but, unlike smaller sensor systems, you have the choice...

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  Impressive image quality, Superb, detailed, essentially moiré-free 1080p footage, Outstanding 4K (UHD) video when used with external recorder, Useful, high resolution electronic viewfinder, Completely silent shooting available, Microphone and headphone ports, Useful tools, such as focus peaking and...

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  Limited to contrast-detect AF, while a7/II siblings have on-sensor phase-detect AF, Lower dynamic range and resolution than immediate competitors, Sony's Raw compression scheme can lead to posterization at high contrast edges, Small battery can be restrictive, especially for video shooting, Lack of...

With a unique 12-megapixel 35mm sensor, the Sony A7S able to shoot in very low light with impressive high ISO performance up to ISO 409,600! The sensor is tailor-made for 4K video for excellent detail, plus very wide dynamic range.

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  Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.

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  4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

Like it or not, we're on the verge of a 4K revolution. We've noted previously that even though content distribution is still "the rub," content creation and management couldn't be more straightforward.

Is it perfect? No, obviously not. Perfect doesn't exist. But Sony's A7S is surely among the most exciting cameras ever made available to photographers at such an accessible price.

Sony is what is known in the business world as a "spoiler". While many manufacturers are satisfied to add new chrome and bumpers to last year's model, Sony constantly pushes the envelope, sometimes fumbling the ball, but often scoring a home run – if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor.

A filmmaker’s dream – but still photographers may be better off looking lower down Sony’s range

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  Shoots 4K video, Excellent in low light, Huge, bright OLED viewfinder

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  4K recording requires external device, 12.2MP sensor seems limiting for stills, Very expensive

In 2013 the Sony Alpha A7 convinced our team and a panel of tech-savvy judges that it was system camera of the year. Not because it had the most lenses available, was the fastest, nor because there weren't other great new cameras coming out, but because it broke the mould and stepped up where other...

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  Great full-frame image quality, sturdy build and small scale design, great electronic viewfinder quality, tilt-angle LCD with large view, two batteries included

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  Poor battery life, no wall charger means slow charge, full-frame lens range is lacking, AF-C not comparable to £2k DSLR, 4K capture off-camera only, much pricier than standard A7

When Sony launched the A7 and A7R towards the end of last year, it broke new ground with the combination of an impressive full frame sensor in a portable and compact CSC body, gaining many accolades in the process.

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  High ISO performance, 4K video capture

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  4K video recorded to external device, AF not the fastest

The Sony Alpha A7S bucks the trend for more megapixels, by offering a 12 megapixel full-frame sensor, this gives it impressive light capturing abilities, with low noise right up to ISO25600 and above.

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  12 megapixel files are smaller, Impressive ISO range available for stills and video, Very impressive noise performance up to ISO25600 / ISO51200, Full-frame sensor mirrorless camera, Focus peaking / Zebra display, 5fps continuous shooting (speed priority), Weather sealed magnesium alloy body,...

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  4K only available when recording to an external device, 4K external recording device isn't available yet, High price if you want to record 4K video, Limited lens range in FE mount (plenty of adapters available), Flash not included / provided - although possibly not needed

It's a great camera but its comparatively low pixel count and high price mean it's unlikely to have wide appeal amongst enthusiast photographers. However, it will find favour with those who need to be able to shoot in near-dark conditions or want lots of control over video.

Im a video guy and I love using DSLR and Mirrorless cams when i travel so I don't get excess attention when filming, I also shoot corporate/ interview. and events. I tend to shoot at night/ dark environments and have come from the world of Canon cameras.

After a long history with Nikon SLRs and DSLRs, decided to give the A7S a shot and see what the mirrorless hype was about. Primarily chose the A7S based on its video advantages over the A7 and A7R, but it hasn't disappointed in that department - but happily surprised by the quality of photos as...

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  Great low light capability in both video and photo shooting. Beautiful, crisp images with great uncorrected color.

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  Haven't discovered any significant cons yet, outside of entry price vs A7.

There is a world of photos I am just beginning to capture thanks to its low light sensor. It is truly amazing. Also their is a look to the pictures in any light which is very pleasing. I own A7R and Mark III and A7S is the only camera I use.

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  There is a world of photos I am just beginning to capture thanks to its low light sensor. It is truly amazing. Also their is a look to the pictures in any light which is very pleasing. I own A7R and Mark III and A7S is the only camera I use.

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  Focus is only OK

After 3 weeks with an A7S + a LA-EA4 and a Sony 50mm F1.4 and a Battery Grip ... I can say that I'm in love with this camera. Every photo we took are so nice, so colored, noiseless with a great IQ ... This camera is a toy that says : take photo, take photo, take photo !

I bought the Sony A7s to shoot film stills. it's one of the only full frame cameras that shoots silently and also has top of the range high ISO ability, as a stills photographer these are two absolute requirements. I also use it for shooting video too which is very good..

The Sony A7s is the perfect companion for every situation. Not only does it have the most detailed Full HD sensor of all cameras in this price range, but also the endless possibilities this camera gives are amazing.