Do you ever wonder if the Sony a7III has flash? You are not alone. As someone who often shoots at night or in low-light situations, I am curious if my camera can flash extra light into the scene. I had not really thought about this situation when buying my camera, so I only researched recently.
The Sony a7III does not have a camera flash built into its compact body. However, it allows you to use an external or off-camera flash if a particular scene requires it.
Below, I will answer the main question in more detail. I will also teach you the type of external flash to use. I will even share some tips on setting up the Sony flash for your camera.
Does Sony a7III Have Built-in Flash?
The Sony a7III does not have a built-in flash. The camera does not provide extra light if you need it. The lack of built-in flash also prevents you from controlling other flash units off the camera.
Considering its price point, you may wonder why the Sony a7III does not have flash. However, you will find that most professional cameras, including the a7III, usually do not come with flash systems. You will likely encounter built-in flashes in consumer-level cameras and mid-range models.
The Sony a7III lacks a flash because it prioritizes other features, specifically image quality and low-light performance. If you are not already aware, the a7III is among the best low-light cameras today. It has a large full-frame sensor and an advanced imaging processor to capture sharp details in poor lighting conditions. These features eliminate the need for a built-in flash.
Do I Need Flash For Photography?
Although the Sony a7III lacks on-camera flash and has impressive low-light performance, that does not mean you do not need a flash for photography. Here are some of the situations where you need flash.
- Low-light environments: It is true the Sony a7III can capture subjects in the dark with great detail. But sometimes, a flash is necessary to illuminate indoor or nighttime scenes and get proper exposure.
- Back-lit subjects: When shooting a subject with its back to the sun or other harsh lighting, the results will be less than ideal. Using manual flash creates a balanced exposure and a pleasing image.
- Studio photography: If you work in a studio, you likely need a flash to achieve the desired lighting effects. Whether you are photographing fashion, food, or portraits, you can create a specific light setup with flash units.
- Macro photography: A flash provides even and controlled lighting, which is essential in close-ups.
- Fast-moving subjects: Using a flash prevents the need to slow down the shutter speed to get more light. It offers a burst of light to help freeze fast-moving subjects and action scenes.
- High-contrast scenes: If the scene has extreme contrast between light and shadow, flash can ensure proper exposure. As such, it retains detail in both highlight and shadow areas of the image.
Can I Use External Flash On the Sony a7III?
By now, you probably realized that you really need flash for the type of photography that you do. But with the Sony a7III lacking a built-in flash, you may wonder what to do.
Fortunately, this Sony camera allows you to use an external flash unit or off-camera flash. The a7III features a hot shoe mount, so you can attach speed lights, external strobes, and wireless flash systems. It also has a dedicated camera setting for flash photography.
What External Flash Type To Buy for Sony a7III Camera?
The Sony a7III camera can work with Sony’s own lineup of external flashes. These include Sony’s wireless speedlight system and high-speed flash.
It can also accept third-party flash units from different manufacturers, such as Canon, Nikon, and Godox. However, when buying from third-party sellers, ensure their units are compatible with the Multi-Interface Shoe (MI Shoe) or have the right adapters.
How To Use External Flash On the Sony a7III?
If you are planning to buy an external flash, you are probably curious how to use it on the Sony a7III. Below, we will share the steps on how to set up your camera for flash photography.
Turn Off the Camera and Flash
Before anything else, switch off the camera and flash.
Connect the Flash to The Camera
Next, attach the external flash to the camera. You can do this by sliding the flash’s hot shoe (metal bracket at the bottom) into the Sony’s hot shoe (located on top of the camera). Turn the lock ring until the flash is secure to your device.
Switch On the Flash
Once the flash is locked into place, turn it on. You can find the power switch at the back of the flash unit facing you.
Then, set it to the appropriate mode, depending on your needs.
Set the Camera to Flash Mode
After preparing the flash unit, the next thing to do is set up the camera’s flash mode. Turn on the camera. Then, press the Menu button on the back of the camera at the upper left of the LCD screen.
Go to the Camera Settings 1 tab. Navigate to the “Flash Mode” option and select your desired camera setting. Below are the different flash modes on the Sony a7III.
- Flash Off: This one is pretty self-explanatory. The flash does not operate even if the unit is turned on.
- Autoflash: It triggers the external flash when shooting in low-light conditions or high-contrast scenes.
- Fill-flash: It provides a flash of light once you press the shutter button.
- Slow Sync: It can flash light every time you trigger the shutter. At the same time, it slows down the shutter speed to ensure a clear photo of the subject and background.
- Rear Sync: It can illuminate the scene before the sensor takes an image and completes exposure. The result is a natural light trail. It is ideal for shooting a moving subject, such as a car or a running person.
Take a Test Shot and Adjust Settings When Needed
With the camera and flash all set up, you can now compose the shot. Capture a test photo to see how the flash photo looks like. If it is too harsh, you can decrease the flash power or adjust the camera setting as needed. You can even add ambient light or another off-camera flash unit to create a balanced exposure.
Have Fun With Flash Photography
Once you are happy with the test shots, you are now ready to take the final image. Press the shutter button to capture photos with flash.
Do not be afraid to experiment with different lighting effects. Change the flash settings, techniques, and positioning to improve your flash photography skills. Last but not least, have fun while using flash for your images.
Conclusion
When using the Sony a7III to shoot at night or in low-light conditions, you may wonder if it has a built-in flash. Unfortunately, the a7III does not have a Sony flash built into its body. On the upside, it has a hot shoe where you can attach most flash systems.
Do you have more questions about flash photography? Visit our website for more guides about cameras.
