LAS VEGAS – Sony has added a new model to its family of small, full-frame interchangeable lens cameras. The new Alpha 7S joins the A7 and A7R, and is capable of capturing 4K video quality with low noise.
The new A7S features a newly developed 12.2 effective megapixel 35mm Exmor CMOS sensor paired with a BIONZ X image processor, allowing it to shoot at a sensitivity range of ISO 50 – 4096002 with high dynamic range and low noise. The new model also uses the entire width of a full-frame image sensor in 4K video acquisition, and does this without cropping or line skipping.
The A7S also offers full pixel read-out (without pixel binning) during movie shooting. The camera can process data from all of the sensor’s pixels and output HD and 4K (QFHD 3840 x 2160 pixels) video while using the full-width of the sensor. In addition to the benefits for low-light shooting, the read out of all pixels frees the video from aliasing, moiré and false color artifacts.
4K video can be output to an external third-party recorder. Full HD (1920×1080) at frame rates of 60p, 60i, 30p and 24p can be captured directly to a compatible memory card. Video modes can be changed from full-frame to APS-C (super 35mm equivalent) if desired, and in this crop mode, the camera can support high frame rate 120fps shooting at standard HD resolution (1280 x 720p), creating a 5x slow-motion effect.
The A7S camera is also equipped with S-Log2 gamma. Common to Sony’s range of professional video cameras, S-Log2 expands the dynamic range by up to 1300 percent to minimize clipped highlights and loss of detail in shadows. Additionally, the A7S adopts the workflow-friendly XAVC S recording format in addition to AVCHD and MP4 codecs.
The camera also has a multi-terminal interface shoe that is compatible with Sony’s XLR Adaptor Microphone Kits, allowing the use of professional microphone systems.
Compatible with the growing family of E-mount lenses, the A7S camera can also be used with A-mount and others lens systems with optional adapters.