Best Sony Camera

10 Best Sony Cameras for Photographers

There are many Sony cameras for the beginning, experienced and advanced photographers. The compact or bridge cameras are designed for amateurs. Not that many Sony DSLR cameras are relevant today. This camera brand’s focus is directed at different types of devices now. Sony has been holding a leading position in the mirrorless cameras market for the past six years, thanks to the huge success of the a6000, as well as sales of the professional a7 camera series. I will help you figure out the variety of Sony cameras and choose the best Sony camera among the 10 popular models.

1. Sony A7 III

This is an excellent camera that is good for video recording and professional event/wedding photography. It has good characteristics and meets all the requirements of modern users. The device is capable of quickly generating images in RAW format. The 24-megapixel sensor provides good image quality that is suitable for large format printing. One of the main advantages of this camera is remarkable ISO operation. It produces clear pictures, with minimal digital noise, even at very high ISO values (6400) thanks to innovative noise-reduction technology.

• If you’re going to record high-resolution videos but don’t want a heavy DSLR camera body, check out the best mirrorless cameras for video that are quite inexpensive and produce awesome quality and sound.

This full frame mirrorless camera copes with shooting in low-light conditions and the use of automatic white balance settings. JPEG images have warm tones, including green shades. This device boasts 4K video recording, which undoubtedly is an important aspect when choosing a video camera. It is one of the most popular new Sony cameras.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS

This compact zoom lens has an incredibly wide and universal range from 24 to 105 mm. It will allow you to achieve perfect image quality.

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Photo by Sony A7 III

2. Sony Alpha a68

This cheap camera can support JPEG and RAW files pretty well. However, it is worth noting that RAW images turn out to be slightly muted. But this is not a problem, since these flaws can be easily corrected while photo editing in Lightroom. Without filters, the pictures look pretty decent, particularly with a wide aperture lens.

The device has good noise-reduction features. Even at ISO 3200, you will get pictures with minimal digital noise. They will remain clear, even after printing. Another advantage of this model is its ease of operation and user-friendly interface. It is characterized by an incredible focusing system for tracking subjects and a good body for telephoto lenses. The camera can also film quality videos in full HD. The lack of 4K video shooting function is a slight disadvantage, but for this price – it is the best choice.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM DT

A large zoom and perfect autofocus are the advantages of this lens designed for Alpha series cameras. Thanks to the innovative Smooth Autofocus Motor, getting amazing images will not be a problem for beginners.

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Photo by Sony Alpha A68

3. Sony A7S II

Unlike other Sony Alpha cameras, for example, the A7R II or A7 II, this model does not feature a very high resolution, which undoubtedly affects the image quality. However, it can be used to take pictures for further high-quality A3 printing. The camera has many advantages that far exceed its disadvantages. The device has a fairly large size and weight due to the incredibly wide range of options for adjusting the lens.

• Choose one of these budget video cameras to record your trips, beauty photoshoots or family parties professionally and for affordable piece.

However, I do not advise you shoot with the maximum ISO of 409,600 regularly. Noise-reduction technology will allow you to get rid of digital noise. In addition, you can shoot even at night by selecting high ISO values (about 6400). The camera also has good video characteristics, in particular, support for 4K XAVC S video shooting and the ability to record high-quality material even in low light. 4K video quality is close to those of cameras with 10- or 12-bit outputs. These features allow you to use this device in professional videography. Many experts call it the best Sony camera for video recording.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar T FE ZA

The large F1.8 aperture of this lens allows you to create beautiful portrait photos with bokeh. You can always stop down for expanded depth of field.

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Photo by Sony A7S II

4. Sony Alpha A99 II

The details and clarity of images make it one of the best Sony camera for photography. The lack of optical low-pass filter (OLPF) makes it possible to reproduce even the smallest details. You can get amazing JPEG pictures shooting with this camera. Many users notice that the images may have oversaturated colors, but it cannot be called a disadvantage since it is a typical feature of all modern cameras.

This gadget has a very good noise reduction system, which allows you to achieve maximum image quality. Choosing high ISO values, you can see a certain amount of digital noise in your photos. The model enables you to create good 30 x 40-inch prints even when raising ISO values up to 800. Thanks to a 42.4-megapixel sensor, photographers take clear photos with fantastic resolution. Some small details may lose their clarity at ISO 1600, but you can make a high-quality 24 x 36-inch print even with such a high ISO value.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T

This lens has a perfect zoom and autofocus system with 35mm FF sensor coverage. Its corresponding focal range is 24-70 mm when interacting with a 35mm sensor camera.

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Photo by Sony Alpha A99 Ii

5. Sony RX100 Mark V

If you are looking for the best Sony camera, you should pay attention to this model. The device has pretty good features that can satisfy even the most demanding photographers. If we compare this digital camera with similar cameras in terms of shooting JPEGs, it can be noted that some gadgets take pictures with slight blurriness, the so-called “halo” around the objects. The RX100 Mark V has special technology that allows you to get rid of the “halo” or make it almost invisible.

Undoubtedly, high clarity and sharpness of images are an advantage of this model. A photographer can start playing back a series of photos immediately after shooting thanks to the upgraded processing. You can check the focus and other camera settings in the upper left corner of the screen.

Photo by Sony RX100 Mark V

6. Sony A9

According to many Sony camera reviews, experts note that the main advantage of this device is a 24-megapixel sensor. This makes it possible to obtain quality images with high resolution. You will be able to print your photos in Super A2 or A3 format and make them as sharp as possible. Working in low light, the photographer can choose the maximum ISO values (about 12,800) and get good photos. Of course, you may see a small amount of digital noise, but these disadvantages can be easily removed during photo editing.

It should be noted that the camera has imperfect white balance. Sometimes you can get pictures with a greenish tint. It can occur while working with poor artificial lighting. Therefore, it is better to use manual settings. The device has good video characteristics, for example, 4K video recording and a fantastic AF system. Summing up, I can say that this is the best Sony camera for different types of shooting, such as sports, wedding and child photography.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

This incredible G Master Series telephoto zoom lens has great features, including fast autofocus, compact size and support for high-resolution standards.

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Photo by Sony A9

7. Sony A7R III

This is probably the best Sony Alpha camera today. This camera has good ISO characteristics and excellent noise reduction functions. Raising ISO values (up to 32,000), the photographer can get images with a moderate amount of digital noise. The maximum value is ISO 102, 400, but I do not recommend you select it when working under normal conditions. In this case, you are guaranteed to get poor quality pictures. Choose such values only when the image quality is not your primary goal, and your main task is to photograph the object.

In addition, Alpha A7R III boasts a wide dynamic range. If you want to retain highlights, you may take low-sensitivity pictures and underexpose them. Then, all imperfections should be removed in Lightroom. Perhaps this is the best Sony digital camera that is universal and good for all photo genres.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

This lens is an excellent tool for photo and video shooting. Silent operation and fast autofocus are its undeniable advantages. The lens has an extra wide 12–24 mm range that will help you take good real estate photos with high resolution.

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Photo by Sony A7R III

8. Sony Cyber-shot HX400V

In spite of its low price, this is the best Sony camera in the compact line that can boast of reasonably good quality pictures. It handles noise at slow ISO speed (400) pretty well, but when the speed is increased to 800-1600, noise may take place. In some cases, chromatic aberrations were noticeable, but they were under control, except for effect of purple frames. They emerged in the cases of high contrast.

Macro shooting lets you focus on the distance of 1 cm from the subject. Even at the 24 mm wide-angle focal length of a universal 50x zoom lens, barrel distortion is perfectly regulated. One of the advantages of this camera is the good built-in flash (no red-eye effect), even indoors. I will rightfully call it one of the new Sony cameras meant for newbies who want to get good quality images.

Photo by Sony Cyber-shot HX400V

9. Sony Alpha A6300

The A6300 is one of the best Sony Alpha cameras that impressed me with its focusing reliability under any conditions (manual one is inclusive). Of course, my feelings will depend on the lens I used, but focus peaking and focusing zoom support make this camera special. Parts of the image located in the field of focusing are highlighted by focus peaking, which makes them visible in the form of white, red and yellow areas.

Standard ISO range is within 100-25600, and if you need, it may be raised to 32000, 41500 and 51200. JPEGs with high ISO lose color strength and, as a result, details of the image becomes lower. Anyway, the presence of chromatic noise is on the normal level. I am talking about the tones breaking down into rainbow speckles. This Sony camera almost completely eliminates this effect. If you still need to take pictures at high ISO, photographing in RAW and editing in Lightroom will solve this problem.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS

It is a versatile lens meant for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. It will be suitable for capturing wide landscapes or architecture photos and tight portraits.

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Photo by Sony Alpha A6300

10. Sony A6500

The Sony A6500 is one of the best Sony cameras for its quality of images. This Sony camera ensures wonderful sharpness and contrast level. You will be able to control image noise within the whole sensitivity range (for JPEG). As a result, the images will be ideal, even at high ISO settings (for example 6400). But, I strongly recommend using low noise reduction setting because the normal noise reduction setting looks a bit heavy handed with pictures taken at high ISO settings. If you are in a search of the best Sony camera for shooting pictures of excellent quality and 4K video, it is one of the best variants.

Recommended camera lens:

Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3

This well-designed compact lens combines a balance of functionality and form. It offers built-in optical Steady Shot image stabilization and wide zoom. Moreover, it is lightweight and convenient to use.

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Photo by Sony A6500

List of 10 Best Sony Cameras

Image	Camera	Features
	Sony A7 III OUR CHOICE	24.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony Alpha a68 BEST DSLR	24.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony A7S II FOR VIDEO	12.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony Alpha A99 II BEST ALPHA	42.4 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony RX100 Mark V Camera FLIP SCREEN	20.1 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony A9 BEST MIRRORLESS	24.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony A7R III PROFESSIONAL	42.4 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony Cyber-shot HX400V FOR BEGINNERS	20.4 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony Alpha A6300 BEST AUTOFOCUS	24.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →
	Sony A6500	24.2 MP CMOS	Check PRICE →

Why Sony Cameras Are the Best Mirrorless Cameras

We cannot deny that mirrorless cameras made by Sony have been bestsellers until recent years. Now Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm have started producing mirrorless cameras with a focus on adding the newest features, but Sony continues to be a leader in this area. Why does Sony attract so many fans around the world that they don’t care about new Canon EOS and Nikon Z7 but run to the store as soon as any new Sony model appears on the shelves?

1. Electronic Viewfinder

If you shoot handheld in bad light with the help of manual focus, you may face some problems. Luckily, a good viewfinder can help you avoid lots of them. First, looking through the viewfinder instead of the back screen will make holding the camera easier. The presence of focus peaking and the ability to punch in to check focus through the viewfinder released me from the need to use the back screen. A 12mm lens produces deep enough depth of field. Still, I had to make an effort to be sure that I’d focused properly. Sony has been offering good electronic viewfinders in addition to full frame images, which made them top sellers.

2. In-Body Image Stabilization

Another advantage of Sony is that it is the only brand offering a full frame model with IBIS rated up to 5.5 stops. In comparison, Nikon’s newest cameras offer IBIS rated up to five stops only. In the case of Canon, it is not a competitor for Nikon and Sony in this area, as the newest Canon EOS R doesn’t have IBIS at all.

It is an unbelievably beneficial option. I don’t think I would be able to take high quality photos without it. Because of the light, even when I shot at f/2.8, it was necessary to snap pictures at shutter speeds equal to 1/15th of a second.

3. Lens Selection

There are adapters for Sony E-mount cameras accessible for the majority of mounts, such as Sony A-mount, Nikon F, Canon EF and Leica M. Medium format lenses can also be adapted. It makes Sony the leader among adaptable lens mounts on sale.

Adapting tilt-shift lenses to Sony cameras is also possible. But be careful! Such lenses will be stabilized with IBIS, which Canon cannot offer yet. Accessible lenses for mirrorless cameras (with full frame) is one more reason to choose this brand.

4. Autofocus system

The autofocus on the sensor is more precise compared to traditional systems in digital cameras, which provides additional useful features. For instance, pay attention to eye detection autofocus. This peculiarity definitely distinguishes Sony cameras from the others on the market nowadays. During some period of time, this option was considered to be a gimmick because of its inefficiency. Everything changed after the appearance of a7R III. If you are familiar with the eye detection feature in the newest Sony cameras, you must know that Sony produces the best autofocus camera.

5. Sony Listens

It seems to me that Sony is one of a few companies manufacturing full frame that really cares about the customer’s points of view and their wishes. Thanks to Sony’s ability to listen to customers, it has become the best mirrorless camera manufacturer. Sony isn’t like those companies that make excuses. It is a company that will make changes according to customers’ complaints.

For example, let’s look at the case with two card slots. Sony solved this complaint quite quickly by producing the third generation of cameras. As for Nikon, this brand opted for only one slot for its mirrorless cameras, despite the presence of two card slots in all its DSLR cameras. Strangely, Canon made the same decision as Nikon.

Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more