Best Monitor for Sony a7S III
The Sony a7S III is a powerhouse full-frame mirrorless camera known for its incredible low-light video capabilities. With its 12.1MP sensor and ability to shoot 4K video with minimal noise, it has become a favorite amongst videographers and filmmakers. However, like any camera, you’ll want to use an external monitor to get the most out of it. A good monitor allows you to properly expose and focus your shots, check audio, and playback footage. We have reviewed and tested latest best selling monitors, and below are top recommended ones for Sony a7S III:
SmallHD INDIE 7 Touchscreen On-Camera Monitor – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Adorama
The SmallHD INDIE 7 packs an impressive 7-inch 1080p touchscreen monitor into a compact and lightweight camera-top design perfect for the Sony a7S III. The bright 1500-nit screen is easily viewed outdoors and has an excellent color gamut covering 100% of Rec. 709. The high brightness and color accuracy make it easy to properly expose shots and judge focus peaking when shooting 4K video with the a7S III.
Setup is easy with simple access to settings like frame guides, LUTs, false color, and zoom functions to nail focus fast. The responsive touchscreen interface lets you quickly access settings without digging into menus. Having an articulating screen is handy for angling the monitor when rigged on a gimbal or tripod. Recording 4K video onto SD cards is a breeze and the HDMI/SDI inputs connect cleanly to the a7S III.
At just 10 ounces, the compact all-metal body won’t add much weight to your camera setup. Overall, the SmallHD INDIE 7 is purpose-built for mirrorless cameras like the a7S III. It provides excellent brightness, color accuracy, a crisp touchscreen, and great monitoring tools in a portable package. The INDIE 7 is highly recommended for any a7S III shooter looking to maximize their workflow and get the most out of the camera’s video capabilities.
Features:
- 7″ 1920 x 1200 Touchscreen Display
- 1000 cd/m², 10-Bit, IPS LCD Panel
- HDMI & 3G-SDI Inputs & Outputs
- Supports Video Input up to UHD 4K30
- L-Series Battery Plate, SmallHD PageOS 4
- Pixel Zoom, Focus Assist, Peaking Tools
- SD Card Slot & Micro-USB Input
- 3.5mm Headphone Output, 1/4″-20 Threads
Atomos Ninja 5.2″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Adorama
The Atomos Ninja 5 monitor and recorder is an excellent companion to unlock the full video potential of the Sony a7S III. With its 5.2-inch 1080p screen and bright 1000 nit display, the Ninja 5 makes it easy to accurately monitor Log footage and dial in perfect exposure when shooting 4K video. The intuitive touchscreen interface lets you quickly access powerful tools like waveforms, false color, focus peaking, and custom LUTs.
A standout feature is the ability to record pristine 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNxHR codecs directly to SSDs via the a7S III’s HDMI output. This captures Edit Ready footage up to 4Kp60 ready for color grading. AtomOS 11 brings excellent HDR monitoring with conversion of Log to HLG and PQ. The new OS also enables RAW recording over HDMI at up to 6K resolution with select cameras.
The compact Ninja 5 takes battery power from Sony NP-F style batteries for long shoots. It offers HDMI loop-out, LANC control, and optional wireless control when adding the Atomos CONNECT module. If you need perfect monitoring, pristine codecs, and HDR conversion, the Ninja 5 brings out the best in the a7S III so you can nail every shot. It’s a must-have video accessory for any a7S III owner.
Features:
- 1920 x 1080 Touchscreen Display
- 10-Bit Exterior Viewable Monitor
- 4K HDMI 2.0 Input/Output
- 6K30 ProRes RAW with Select Cameras
- AtomOS 11 Operating System
- 1000 cd/m² Brightness
- Supports Multiple Log Formats
- ProRes and DNxHR/HD Recording
- Record to Master Caddy II/III Hard Drive
- L-Series Battery Slot, USB-C Port
Atomos Ninja V 5″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Adorama
The Atomos Ninja V is purpose-built to unlock the full video capabilities of the Sony a7S III mirrorless camera. Its 5-inch 1000 nit touchscreen delivers perfect monitoring with accurate colors, HDR processing, and tools like false color exposure. The bright display is easy to view when shooting outdoors.
By recording to SSDs over HDMI, the Ninja V captures pristine 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNxHR files up to 4Kp60 resolution matching the a7S III’s full sensor readout. This allows for higher video quality than the camera’s internal codecs. You can even record ProRes RAW with select cameras like the FX3 or FX6.
Setup is quick with HDMI loop-out and power via Sony NP-F style batteries for all day shooting. The Ninja V adds pro connections like timecode, SDI, and XLR audio to expand the a7S III into a cinema rig. The touchscreen interface makes recording, monitoring, and playback a breeze.
Weighing just 12 oz, the rugged magnesium alloy body is at home on gimbals and rigs. The Ninja V brings best-in-class monitoring, recording, and connectivity to fully harness the a7S III’s amazing low-light video capabilities. Whether you need HDR conversion, pristine codecs, or just better exposure tools, the Ninja V is a must-have video accessory for any a7S III shooter.
Features:
- 1920 x 1080 Touchscreen Display
- 10-Bit Exterior Viewable Monitor
- 4K HDMI 2.0 Input/Output
- Supports ProRes Raw with Select Cameras
- 1000 cd/m² Brightness
- AtomHDR Mode with 10-Stop Dynamic Range
- 10-Bit 4:2:2 ProRes & DNxHR Encoding
- Records to 2.5″ Mini or Standard SSDs
- Supports Multiple Log Formats
- Single Sony L-Series Battery Slot
Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7″ Recorder/Monitor – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Adorama
The Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7” monitor/recorder dramatically expands the video capabilities of the Sony a7S III. Its large 1920 x 1200 resolution screen makes it easy to confirm critical focus and exposure when shooting 4K video. The super bright 1500 nit display is easily viewed outdoors.
Dual SDI and HDMI inputs switch easily between feeds and loop-out connects to other monitors. Recording directly to low cost SD cards, the Video Assist captures edit-ready 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNxHR files matching the quality of the a7S III’s 4K footage. The large 7” screen with accurate colors and false color tools makes exposure adjustment a breeze.
XLR audio inputs allow connecting professional microphones with phantom power. The Video Assist even accepts LTC timecode to sync external audio recorders. Additional monitoring tools like waveform, vectorscope, and focus peaking ensure you nail every shot.
Despite the large screen, the Video Assist retains a slim, lightweight magnesium alloy body that attaches easily to the a7S III cage mounts. For studio or field use, it’s a fantastic way to monitor, record, and expand the a7S III into a fully professional video rig. If you need to record better than 8-bit files and monitor with accuracy, the Blackmagic Video Assist 7” is a must for a7S III owners.
Features:
- 1920 x 1200 7″ Touchscreen LCD
- HDMI & 3G-SDI Video Inputs/Outputs
- Records up to 1080p60 Video
- Stores to 2 x SDXC/SDHC Memory Cards
- 2.5mm LANC Port for Record Start & Stop
- Waveform, Vectorscope & Histogram
- Focus Peaking, False Color & Zebra
- 11 x Display Language Options
- Dual Sony L-Series Type Battery Slots
- AC Adapter Included
FeelWorld 7″ 4K Ultra-Bright Monitor – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Adorama
The FeelWorld 7-inch on-camera monitor packs an impressive 1920×1200 resolution touchscreen with 1200 nit brightness into a slim and lightweight design. This makes it an excellent monitoring option for the Sony a7S III mirrorless camera.
The high-resolution IPS panel delivers a crisp, detailed image with accurate color rendition. The screen is bright enough for outdoor shooting, even in sunlight, making exposure adjustment and focus confirmation easy. False color exposure tools, peaking, and zoom features enable checking focus accuracy when shooting 4K video with the a7S III.
Despite the large screen, the metal alloy body weighs just 1.1 lbs for mounting directly to the camera. The HDMI and SDI inputs connect easily to the a7S III and allow recording pristine 10-bit video to SD cards in ProRes and other professional codecs. XLR and headphone jacks enable properly monitoring audio.
With features like LUTs, anamorphic de-squeeze, waveform, and vectorscope, the FeelWorld 7” provides comprehensive monitoring options to get the most out of the a7S III’s impressive video capabilities. The touchscreen interface allows smooth access to settings. Power flexibility via NP-F batteries, DC power, or dual Sony batteries round out this versatile monitor.
If you need a large screen for critical focus and exposure monitoring when shooting video with the a7S III, the FeelWorld 7” 4K bright monitor delivers excellent performance and features at an affordable price point.
Features:
- 7″ 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD Monitor
- HDMI 1.4 Loop-Through I/O
- Accepts SD, HD, and UHD 4K Video
- 2200 cd/m² Brightness
- 1200:1 Contrast Ratio
- 160° Viewing Angle
- Edge-Mounted Control Buttons
- Includes Removable L-Series Plate
- Image Evaluation Tools
- 1:1 Pixel Mapping
Conclusion:
Choosing the right monitor to pair with the impressive Sony a7S III camera comes down to your budget and intended use. For maximum portability, the compact yet powerful SmallHD INDIE 7 delivers a crisp 1080p touchscreen with robust exposure aids in a lightweight form factor perfect for mirrorless cameras. If you need higher resolution monitoring and recording, the Atomos Ninja V provides excellent 5-inch 4K performance with pro connections. For more screen real estate, the 7-inch Blackmagic Design Video Assist offers dual inputs, great recording options, and a slim body. Those needing extreme brightness for outdoor shooting can utilize the FeelWorld 7-inch 1200 nit display.
Ultimately, investing in a high quality monitor unlocks the a7S III’s exceptional video capabilities. Look for vital features like focus peaking, exposure aids, recording of pristine 10-bit 4K codecs, and power flexibility. Be sure to choose a monitor with the inputs, resolution, brightness, and form factor best matched to your shooting needs and budget. Pairing the a7S III with a versatile monitor like the SmallHD INDIE 7 or Atomos Ninja V provides incredible monitoring and recording to elevate your videos.