If you want to take photos of a rainstorm or a beach vacation, you may wonder if the Sony a7III is water-sealed and waterproof. I was always curious about the question myself. So I did my thorough research and wrote this post to help others with the same question.
The Sony a7III is water-sealed, meaning it can resist moisture. It might be okay to shoot under light rain or bring it to the beach. However, this camera is not waterproof. It will not function properly when completely drenched or submerged in water.
Below, I will delve into the definitions of water-sealed and waterproofing to clarify they are not the same thing. I will also answer other related questions about the durability of the Sony a7III in different shooting conditions.
Is The Sony a7III Water-Sealed and Waterproof?
Yes, the Sony a7III has water sealing or water resistance. It works perfectly fine if you are using the camera under light rain, snow, or near bodies of water. The water-sealed design of the camera means no water gets inside the camera.
Another question you might have is, “Is the Sony a7III waterproof?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is no. Like other mirrorless cameras, the a7III cannot withstand large amounts of water. You must avoid drenching or submerging the camera in water.
What Does Water-Sealed Mean In Sony Cameras?
A water-sealed camera means it can resist water. It prevents moisture from entering and damaging the internal components of the camera. It allows you to use the Sony a7III during rainy weather and snow.
However, that does not mean you should always shoot during inclement weather conditions. Heavy rain and snow might still get inside your moisture-resistant Sony camera if you are not careful. The battery door, dual card slots, and LCD screen are particularly susceptible to water damage.
What Does Waterproof Mean In Sony Cameras?
Waterproof means that the camera can work properly while soaked or submerged in water. A waterproof camera can withstand damage from water sources. It is better than water sealing because it is completely resistant to water, whereas a water-sealed device only has partial water resistance.
The terms “water-sealed” and “waterproof” are confusing at first. But remember, they are not the same. Look for a waterproof camera if you want to record underwater shots.
The Sony a7III is not a waterproof camera. In fact, most Sony cameras do not have a waterproof design. This feature is usually found in action cameras specifically designed for underwater use.
That said, you can turn Sony cameras, including the Sony a7III, into waterproof cameras. You can invest in a water housing, which is a waterproof case or shell for your device. However, expect to pay a lot of money for these specialized accessories.
What Is Weather-Sealing?
Weather-sealing means the camera has weather resistance, allowing it to work in different types of weather. These include rain, snow, and sandstorms.
A weather-sealed camera is also dust-, debris-, and moisture-resistant. It uses rubber gaskets and silicone rings around the hot shoe and SD card slots. The excellent build quality can keep harmful particles from damaging the weather-sealed camera.
Weather-sealed cameras can even withstand high and low temperatures. The Sony a7III, in particular, can operate within 32-104 °F (0-40 °C). That does not mean you should freeze your full-frame camera, though. Plus, weather-sealing is different from waterproofing. So avoid submerging your Sony cameras in the water.
Can The Sony a7III Resist Dust And Moisture?
Sony designed the a7III model with a dust and moisture-resistant body. This mirrorless camera has weather-sealing, so you can use it in the rain or snow. It can also work well in dusty outdoor environments, such as sand dunes and mountains.
The weather-resistant build of the Sony a7III makes it suitable for landscape, street, sports, action, and wildlife photography.
What Happens If I Get The Sony a7III Wet?
Fortunately, I have not experienced my Sony a7III getting completely drenched in water, so I am clueless about what will happen if it gets wet. That said, I did some online research to find out about the result.
One user shared his experience through YouTube. He dropped his Sony a7III camera and Tamron lens while walking knee-deep through the river. He took off the battery and the weather-sealed lens, which let more water inside the camera, particularly the sensor. Luckily, his camera still works after putting it inside a bag of rice.
However, others were not so lucky. One user, in particular, shared in a forum that he got his camera wet after a boat ride. While he managed to turn on the camera a day later, he kept seeing water residue on the viewfinder. The camera might seem like it survived the water damage because it still switched on. Unfortunately, the water has likely gotten inside the camera, slowly destroying the electrical components and battery.
I also remembered a friend who dropped his Sony camera underwater while on a beach vacation. He can turn on the camera a few days after drying it. As such, he mistakenly thought that it would do well. But eventually, the mirrorless camera stopped working, and he could do nothing about it.
To sum up, the Sony a7III is water-resistant, but it is never advertised as a waterproof model. When moisture gets inside the camera, it can slowly damage the components. Some users will not notice the effect right away, but the damage has already been done. So always keep the camera dry as often as possible.
What Are Waterproof Alternatives To The Sony a7III?
If you want to shoot underwater but do not have the budget for a Sony watertight casing, consider other cameras.
Popular waterproof cameras include the GoPro Hero models, Nikon COOLPIX, and Olympus Tough. These products are designed to survive underwater down to a certain depth. They can also withstand shocks, accidental drops, and other harsh conditions. Plus, they do not cost as much as the Sony a7III.
That said, most underwater cameras are not as good as mirrorless and DSLR cameras. They have smaller sensors with limited dynamic range, which reduces image quality. They are not ideal for professional photography business.
Conclusion
The Sony a7III is a water-sealed camera that can withstand light rain showers and water splashes. However, it is not completely waterproof, so you cannot use it to capture underwater shots. And if you accidentally drop the camera underwater, expect the worst because water will eventually damage the electrical components.
Do you have other questions about the Sony a7III camera water sealing? Feel free to contact us via our website.
