One of the reasons that Sony is among the industry leaders is that they always take care of the needs of every segment of the population.
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Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Camera
Their new release targeting professional photographers, Sony Alpha a9 II, is designed with features to specifically cater to the needs of working professionals in the field. It is the first camera in our list of top 5 mirrorless cameras from Sony for all the right reasons.
Salient Features of Sony Alpha a9 II:
Built
Alpha a9 II evolved in terms of its built with the key focus in terms of improving ergonomics. There is the addition of a few dials to enhance ease of use. Users can directly control all primary settings using these dials instead of spending time operating them manually.
It has a comparatively larger grip compared to a9. It is beneficial when one is using a larger lens.
Customization
One noticeable function is Custom Operation Menu that allows toggling with the custom button. All 11 buttons on the camera body can be customized with 100 options. The on-screen menu’s 12 options can be customized with up to 54 options.
Blackout free shooting
Sony Alpha a9 II is targeted towards photojournalism and sports photography. A lot can happen within a single setting. This mirrorless camera features a full-frame Exmor RSTM CMOS sensor and BIONZ XTM processor team up for 20fps with AF/AE tracking.
With increased speed, this combination offers blackout-free capture at 20fps to meet the demands of a professional workflow.
The viewfinder offers 100% frame coverage.
CMOS Image Sensor
Alpha a9 II features a 35mm stacked CMOS sensor to ensure super speed whenever you shoot. This 24.2 MP image sensor with integrated memory allows the camera to achieve a sensitivity of up to ISO 204800.
Higher sensitivity decreases blurring and enhances camera performance in dimly lit situations.
Autofocus
In casual shooting, average or below average autofocus speed works fine, but photographers rely on it heavily in professional photography.
Action photographers, especially sports and wildlife photographers, do not have time to adjust the focus manually every time they shoot.
Sony a9 Alpha is targeted towards professional photographers. It offers swift autofocus with up to 20fps at full resolution with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second. To ensure you do not miss a moment, there is Real-time Eye AF. This feature is relatively new even for Sony cameras.
Still images
With an impressive feature set passed on by its predecessor and additional brand-new features, you get superior image quality shooting with this camera.
For a 24MP sensor, 14-bit RAW output and 16-bit image processing are pretty nifty. Images of a9 II offer more excellent image details compared to rivals’ cameras of the same category. The colors of the photos are pretty vibrant and sharp.
RAW images are known for detail performance, but one distinctive feature of this mirrorless is retaining details in JPEG format.
Video
In terms of video performance, there isn’t any visible difference between the video results of this camera and its predecessors. Like the original a9, impressively responsive performance is guaranteed every time you shoot with it.
One improvement compared to Sony a9 I is that the additional dials on the body of this camera increase the ease for photographers, especially for one who is shooting manually. Also, this version has a lot more new movie modes to facilitate movie shooting.
Key video features are 4K/30p footage with a 1.2x crop, less rolling shutter, interval recording, clean HDMI output, timecode/user bits (TC/UB), REC Control, marker display/setting, and simultaneous proxy movie recording.
Battery life
Sony Alpha a9 uses around 690 shots using the rear LCD and 500 images using the EVF.
This is standard shooting time, but actual battery life depends upon usage and shooting circumstances.
Sony a9 II Specs:
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.07 x 3.8 x 3.05 inches
- Weight: 1.49 lb / 678 g (with Battery)
- Lens Mount: Sony E
- Sensor Type: CMOS
- Sensor Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel (6000 x 4000)
- Image File Format: JPEG, Raw
- Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
- ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100-51200
- Shutter Speed: Mechanical, 1/8000s to 30s
- Electronic Shutter: 1/32000 to 30s
- Metering Method: Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multi-Zone, Spot
- Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
- White Balance: Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Incandescent, Shade, Underwater
- Continuous Shooting: Up to 20fps at 24.2MP for up to 239 Frames (Raw) / 361 Frames (JPEG), Up to 10fps at 24.2MP for up to 239 Frames (Raw) / 361 Frames (JPEG)
- Interval Recording: Yes
- Self-Timer: 2/5/10-Second Delay
- Video Recording Modes: XAVC S, UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s], Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p [50 to 100 Mb/s], AVCHD, Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50i/59.94i [17 to 24 Mb/s]
- Audio Recording: Built-In Microphone (Stereo)
- Focus Type: Auto and Manual Focus
- Focus Mode: Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S)
- Autofocus Points: 693
- Viewfinder Type: Electronic (OLED) 0.5″
- Screen Size: 3.0″, 1,440,000 Dot, Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- Memory Card: Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 2280 mAh (Approx. 500 Shots)
- Wireless: No
Pros:
- 24MP full-frame stacked sensor
- 93% autofocus coverage
- Up to 20fps
- High luminance viewfinder
- Voice memo feature
- 5 GHz7 wireless LAN support
Cons:
- Some rival mirrorless cameras of the same category that cost less than this one offer better battery life.
- Compared to predecessor a9, an increase of $1000 in price is a little extra.
Bottom Line
Overall, Sony a9 II is a great camera. With the reliable name tag of Sony and an imposing set of features, it is worth buying this mirrorless camera.
Built specifically to support professional needs with the top-notch second-generation features, magnesium alloy built, and no blackout between frames – we highly recommend <–Affiliate Link 🙂 Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera.
Sony A7R IV
This camera holds second place on our list.
When it comes to the best digital cameras, Sony is the market leader. Every once in a while, they come with a digital camera targeting to fulfill the needs of some specific segment of the photography community.
Sony A7R IV fulfills this description. It is one of the best available mirrorless cameras in the market currently.
Sony A7R IV is 4th generation mirrorless camera redefining the concept of quality with its 60.2MP output and updated hybrid AF system comprising 567 on-sensor phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detect points.
This AF system covers around 47% of the camera frame to offer incredible footage detail while making this camera one of the best releases of Sony’s Alpha series.
Here are the highlights of its physical features and performance.
Built
If you have used the predecessor, generation 3 of the Alpha series, you might hardly find any difference in its built, handling, and controls. All the physical updates are minor.
But there are some slight improvements, i.e., buttons are repositioned at a more comfortable place, a dedicated ‘AF-On’ controller, Af joystick is slightly more prominent, and handgrip is redesigned for better control.
The most prominent feature on the back of the camera is a 5.76 million dot OLED display with two quality modes (standard and high). The high-quality mode offers some incredible visuals but drains the battery quicker than usual. In terms of user interference, everything is pretty much the same as AR7 III.
The most welcoming feature in terms of the build of A7R IV is the level of customization it offers. There are 11 buttons on the body that are customizable with more than 100 camera settings. This comes in handy while shooting manual.
Overall, it is a high-standard built, and a slight increase in buttons and EVF, et cetera enhanced the ease of use.
Image Quality
A7R 1V is one of the highest-resolution cameras even compared to the cameras of Sony itself. All credits to the brand new 60.2MP sensor and AF system, the detail capture of this camera is unmatchable.
Images results show exquisite details, and the colors are pretty vibrant. RAW image’s details and quality is unmatchable, but also, in the case of JPEG, how much detail this camera can retain is pretty awe-inspiring.
To allow more variety in results and perfect results no matter what shooting circumstances are, it features three different shutter modes of the traditional mechanical shutter, an Electronic front-curtain shutter (‘EFCS’) and entirely electronic.
For the price tag of this camera, the Auto transition between these modes would be a welcoming feature. Anyhow, Sony can adopt this feature for upcoming cameras of the Alpha series.
The noise level in images is pretty controlled, which is an improvement, but still, noise is there. Especially when shooting on higher ISO values.
Autofocus
Some incredible autofocus improvements came with the Sony AR7 IV. The AF system features 567 on-sensor phase-detection autofocus points. These points cover 99.7% of the frame vertically and 74% horizontally. Collectively with 5.7 Million dots of viewfinder, results turn out better than any other camera in the market.
Real-world AF tracking is also working for this camera all the time, making it a highly suitable option for sports, wildlife, and action photography.
ISO
The Sony a7R IV has an ISO range from 50 through 102400. Native ISO range is from 100-32000, whereas extended ones are from ISO 50-ISO 80 and ISO 40000-ISO 102400. Photographers can specify the maximum and minimum ISO values anytime.
You can also dedicate your desired button for it from the 11 buttons offered for customization.
Even when you are shooting fully manual, it allows you to use Auto-ISO.
Video Quality
Sony A7R IV is photo-centric, yet the video quality is also nothing less than nifty.
It can shoot 4K UHD videos at up to 30p and full HD videos at 120p. There are multiple dedicated features for video shooting, including S-log3 support with 14-stops of dynamic range, Hybrid Log-Gamma support, APS-C crop mode for videos.
Improved autofocus system also enhanced the video quality, but we do not see any significant differences compared to the A7R III and A7R II. The only noticeable difference is the removal of the shooting time limitation of 29 minutes
Battery
Sony A7R IV features an FP-Z100 battery. Depending upon conditions, it offers around 670 shots on average while using the rear screen and 530 pictures using the viewfinder. If you are using the quality mode, this number can be lower.
It is possible to operate a camera while it is charging over the USB connection. It can be beneficial while using a camera outdoors. Just get a good power bank, and it will eliminate the need to keep spare batteries with you or change batteries.
Sony A7R IV Specs:
- Body Materials: Magnesium Alloy body covers
- Dimensions Inches: 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.2″ (128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5mm)
- Weight:23.5 oz (665g)
- Megapixels: 61.0
- Total Pixels: 62.5
- Sensor Size: 35.7 × 23.8mm
- Battery Rechargeable: NP-FZ100
- Battery Life: Approx. Five hundred thirty shots (Viewfinder)/approx. 670 shots (LCD monitor)
- Memory Type: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II)
- Wireless Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC
- Still ImageType: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.31, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
- Focusing: AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus
- Shooting Modes: AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) ), Slow & Quick Motion (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) )
- LCD: Touch Screen 2.95 inch (3.0-type) wide type TFT, 1,440,000 dots, adjustable up by approx. 107 degrees, down by approx. 41 degrees
Pros:
- The best autofocus system
- 76 Million OLED display
- Real-Time Eye AF tracking
- 4Kp30 video
- In-body image stabilization
- Powerful 60.2MP sensor
Cons:
- Complex menu system
- Feature as essential as GPS is missing
- On pricey side
Bottom line
Designed to fulfill the needs of professional photographers, it is one of the best mirrorless cameras in the market. It falls in the pricey category, but output makes every penny you spend on it worthy.
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Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera
In early 2017, when this camera was launched, it started a new era in mirrorless cameras but set new standards.
Unfortunately, though Sony did not officially announce discontinuation, this camera is no longer manufactured by Sony. Their focus is more on its updated version, which is laced with more latest features.
But if you want to buy it, there’s good news too; Sony A9 is still available on several amazon stores at discounted prices, saving you a good 1000 dollars.
A9 is a perfect candidate for fulfilling the professional needs of action, sports, wildlife, and outdoor photographers. Here is an insight into some of the physical and technical features of this gadget.
Impressive handling
With very well-placed physical controls, Sony A9 is one of the best available mirrorlesses in ergonomics and handling. It comes in handy in portrait and action shooting. There are multiple dedicated buttons and knobs on the camera body to ease use instead of delving into menus every time you need to change a setting.
Sony launched multiple mirrorless cameras after this one, but it is evident that each of them stole DNA in terms of design from this one. There are dedicated controls for autofocus, drives, AF joystick, AF-ON, and AEL on both sides of the body.
There are dual card slots (one supports the faster UHS-II format) on the side of the body. On the opposite side of card slots, there are an array of ports to attach cables, headphones, et cetera.
The most prominent feature on the back is a touch-enabled screen with 1.44M dots or 800 x 600 resolution. Touch is disabled by default, so many users who do not go through specs or explore the settings are usually unaware of this feature.
There is dust and moisture resistance to some extent, but the camera isn’t water/weatherproof.
Shutter
The viewfinder of the camera is paired with a hybrid shutter mechanism.
The electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, and focal-plane type shutter of the Sony A9 mirrorless digital camera is super responsive. It is rated for 500,000 cycles with enhanced compatibility with flashes, artificial, and natural lighting.
Images performance of Sony A9
Sony mirrorless cameras, especially the Alpha series, are dedicated to delivering superior still images than videos. The same is the case with Sony A9.
It integrates specialized algorithms to reduce the noise, so the noise level is very low at shooting at higher ISO levels. Forget RAW, even the field tests of JPEG show some impressive details retention. Metering and ISO performance are also very reliable.
There is also Bulb mode available for still images whose range depends upon shooting modes and camera settings.
Video Performance
Sony A9 can shoot a full 4K video which is no surprise for its price and other specifications.
When it was launched, Sony claimed that it has the ‘highest 4K movie image quality of any FF ILC.’ But it’s been quite a while since it was launched. But overall, the video quality is superior compared to many other mirrorless cameras.
Autofocus
Sony A9 features 693 phase-detection autofocus points offering 93% coverage. It is Hybrid AF(phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF). Sony quotes the new AF system working at light levels down to -3EV with an F2 lens. Without any exaggeration, there is no comparison with the autofocus of the Alpha series.
There are multiple AF modes. Users can choose between Wide, Zone, Center, Expand Flexible Spot, and Flexible Spot depending upon shooting needs.
There are dedicated buttons for AF on the body. Also, for more ease, you can add more AF shortcuts using the customization this camera offers.
Battery Life
This camera comes with NP-FZ100 batteries that offer double battery life compared to the standard batteries used in mirrorless cameras.
As stated by Sony, you get Approx. Four hundred eighty shots while using Viewfinder and approx. Six hundred fifty images if you are using the LCD monitor. It can be less or more depending upon shooting circumstances.
For the price of the Sony A9, this battery life is just compared to its predecessors. Some other mirrorless cameras, such as Canon 1Dx, offer a lot more battery life.
Camera Sensor and Image stabilization
Sony A9’s 24.0MP sensor will provide larger room for cropping. This large full-frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) sensor is enough for all sorts of your professional and shooting needs. It gives a shallower depth of field and an excellent blurry background when required.
Last but not least Sony A9 features a built-in image stabilization system. It is very effective to stop blur and shakes from ruining image/video quality. Forget about camera shakes at long exposures and long focal.
Sony A9 specs:
- Body Materials: Magnesium Alloy body covers
- Dimensions Inches: 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5″ (126.9 x 95.6 x 63.0mm)
- CIPA Weight: 23.7 oz (673g)
- Megapixels: 24.2
- Total Pixels: 28.3
- Sensor Size: 35.6 ×23.8mm
- Pixel Dimensions: 6000 x 4000
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Image Processor: BIONZ X
- Autofocu Type: Fast Hybrid AF(phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF)
- AF Points: 693 points (phase-detection AF), APS-C mode with FF lens: 299 points (phase-detection AF), with APS-C lens: 221 points (phase-detection AF) / 25 points (contrast-detection AF)
- Viewfinder Type: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (color), Quad-VGA OLED, 100% coverage
- Shooting Modes: AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE, Aperture priority, Shutter-speed priority, Manual, Movie, Slow & Quick Motion
- Still ImageType: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format) (1/2 or 1/3 stop increments), Bulb (Total shutter speed range. Available range varies by shooting mode)
- Movie Type XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
- Movie Length: approx. 29min
- Wireless Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth
- GPS: With connected mobile device
- Water & Dust Resistance: Yes
- Sound Memo: No
- Battery Life: Approx. 480 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 650 shots (LCD monitor)
Pros:
- 24 MP full-frame sensor
- Impressive AF performance
- Full UHD 4K videos
- Excellent JPEG results
- Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth
- Now available on sale
Cons:
- 4K video is cropped in by about 1.2x at 30p
- Some mirrorless cameras are offering pretty much the same features at pretty much same price
- Partial weather resistance only
Bottom Line
When launched in the market, the Sony A9 mirrorless camera created quite a stir in the market. Even after almost four years and multiple successors, it remains one of the best mirrorless cameras by Sony.
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Sony A7R III Mirrorless Camera
Sony Alpha A7R III is one of the latest releases from Sony in the category of mirrorless cameras.
By launching this camera, Sony actively tried to address the minor flaws in its predecessors. There are some visible improvements in the physical aspects, speed, and performance of this camera. With that, we see some enhanced technical specs too.
Detailed specs of the Sony A7R III are mentioned in the next section, but here is some in-depth insight into some of the prominent features.
Built and handling
Made up of magnesium alloy, it has very stark similarities with a9, but some improvements in grip, handling, and ergonomics are made.
The size of the body is slightly increased to make room for improvements. For starters, there is a 1280 x 960-pixel viewfinder with brilliant 0.78x magnification. It comes with a viewfinder eye sensor which turns the viewfinder on when you put your eye to the viewfinder and turns it off when you take your look away.
It is automatically turned off when the rear screen is flipped out.
In comparison to A9, one new addition to the body is the AF joystick.
The right-hand side features two SD card slots. The left-hand side has ports for flash sync socket, headphone/microphone, an HDMI output, micro-B USB/Multi Connector socket, and USB type C connector.
Autofocus performance
Though it comes with a whopping 399 on-sensor phase-detection AF points, this camera is inferior in AF performance if we compare it with the specs of the previous three cameras.
Generally, the autofocus performance of the device is sheer brilliance. There are three basic modes of AF drive modes for auto: AF-S, AF-C, and AF-A. There are 6 AF area modes of Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot, Expanded Flexible Spot, and Lock-On Area.
That’s not all. There are three additional AF functions of
- Face-Priority in AF
- Eye AF
- Center Lock-On AF
All these features enable a7Riii to shoot twice as fast with the perfect focus, no matter the shooting circumstances.
Still images of Sony A7R III
Either shooting in JPEG format or RAW, a7 III shall provide you with the finest still images details.
With improved noise performance, automated JPEG sharpening, improved color rendering, readout circuitry, and 42.4 effective megapixels powered by an Exmor R sensor, you get the best images every time you shoot.
Video performance
A7R III is fully capable of shooting ultra-HD 4K video (from the entire width of its sensor or a Super 35 region of its sensor). It can also shoot 1080p movies at 120fps.
Just like image performance, the video performance of this camera is perfect in every aspect, but one slight turn-off is the maximum video time limit. You cannot shoot a movie longer than 29 minutes.
Such limitations are acceptable for low-end cameras but don’t make sense for a camera costing thousands of dollars.
Battery life
A newer FZ100 battery in the Sony A7R III enhanced its battery life compared to a9. You can get approx. Six hundred eighty shots (Viewfinder) or approx. Seven hundred forty shots (LCD monitor).
But in the end, the battery life depends upon how you use the camera and shooting circumstances, i.e., if you are shooting in scorching weather or under direct sunlight, your camera battery will drain quickly.
Other features:
- Continuous Hi+ AF-S shooting modes
- High-speed PC Remote data transfer via SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Silent shooting at up to 10fps with AF/AE tracking
- Pixel Shift Multi Shooting
- 42.4mp (approx.) image sensor
- Exmor R CMOS image sensor with impressive shooting speeds at up to 10 fps
- Lens Compatibility Sony E mount lenses
Sony Alpha A7RIII Specs:
- Body Materials: Magnesium Alloy body covers
- Dimensions Inches: 5.0 x 3.9 x 3.0″ (126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7mm)
- CIPA Weight: 23 oz (650g)
- Megapixels: 24.2
- Total Pixels: 25.3
- Sensor Size: 35.6 x 23.8mm
- Pixel Dimensions: 6000 x 4000
- Pixel Size: 5.93µm
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Image Processor: BIONZ X
- Autofocus Type: Fast Hybrid AF(phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF)
- AF Points: 693 points (phase-detection AF), APS-C mode with FF lens: 299 points (phase-detection AF), with PS-C lens: 221 points (phase-detection AF) / 425 points (contrast-detection AF)
- AF Modes: AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus
- AF Point Selection: Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot / Expanded Flexible Spot / Tracking
- Viewfinder Type: 1.0 cm (0.39″) electronic viewfinder (XGA OLED), Approx. 100% coverage
- LCD Type: Touch Screen 2.95″ (3.0-type) wide type TFT , approx. 921,600 dots
- Shooting Modes: AUTO (iAuto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Movie (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M)), Slow & Quick Motion (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M))
- Image Processing: Peripheral Shading, Chromatic Aberration, Distortion
- Still Image Type: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.32, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
- Movie Type: XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
- Movie Length: approx. 29min
- Wireless Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.1
- GPS: Can be synchronized with a connected mobile device
- Water & Dust Resistance: Yes
- Memory Type: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I/II compliant)
- Battery: Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FZ100
- Battery Life: Approx. 680 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 740 shots (LCD monitor)
Pros:
- Outstanding performance at higher level ISO
- 42.4 MP
- Facial recognition
- BIONZ X Image Processor and Front-End LSI
- 399-Point AF System
Cons:
- Even though the latest mirrorless camera from Sony still has a movie time limit of max. 29 minutes.
- Electronic shutter won’t work with flash
- No 4k at 60fps
Bottom Line
This camera doesn’t have as good an AF system as the previous three mirrorless cameras by Sony. However, based on its impressive performance and specs, it stands at number 04 in our list of 5 best mirrorless digital cameras by Sony.
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Sony A7 III
Last but not least, the 5th camera on our list is Sony A7 III. Just like all others, it is also a full-frame camera but on a more budget-friendly side.
Let’s dive into the details of some of the significant aspects of this gadget.
Built
Despite being labeled as the basic model in Sony’s mirrorless category, it features a joystick, touch screen, and most of the features found in formerly discussed cameras.
Compared to predecessor a7 II, a7 III gained some weight and size to fit the improvements and additions. It offers better grips and has some additional dials and buttons, including new AF-ON and AEL buttons.
User interference in terms of viewfinder and ports is almost the same as a7 II. For detailed specs, i.e., weight, screen resolution, etc. refer to the specs section given below.
Autofocus
A total of 693 phase-detection autofocus points covers almost 93% of the frame. All thanks to the Fast Hybrid AF System, Sony A7 III can focus twice as quickly as most mirrorless cameras in the market.
Also, by just touching the rear screen, you can use the feature of Touch Focus Control while keeping your eye on the viewfinder.
The autofocus features of this $2000 camera are identical to the Sony a9 worth almost $4500.
Image performance
Either shooting in low-light or conditions with over-exposure, this device is one of the best mirrorless cameras available on the market.
Excellent dynamic range, maximum detail retention, sharpness, vibrant colors, and best JPEG noise reduction are some of the highlights of still images of this device.
Both RAW and JPEG show superb results. Most importantly, even shooting at very high ISO settings, you will barely find image noise in the final results.
Video performance
Mirrorless cameras are more focused on still images, but the list of movie features of Sony A7 III is as broad as stills. It can shoot complete 4K Ultra HD footage and comes bundled with dozens of video features.
Detailed video specs are mentioned in the Specs section.
Battery life
Sony A7 III is powered by an NP-FZ100 rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery offering approximately 710 shots per charge.
Just like any other camera, battery timings are directly dependent on your monitor usage. But overall, battery life performance is impressive. You can get two straight hours of video shooting time with just one fully charged battery.
Other features:
- 24MP Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ X Image Processor
- 425 contrast-detection areas
- ISO 50-204800
- Includes picture profiles for capturing Log and HLG footage
- Includes zebra warnings and peaking for exposure and focus aids
- Can capture slo-mo
- A 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift image stabilization
Specs Sony A7 III:
- Lens Mount: Sony E-Mount
- Camera Format: Full-Frame
- Pixels Actual: 25.3 Megapixel
- Max Resolution: 24 MP: 6000 x 4000
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9
- Sensor Type / Size: CMOS, 35.6 x 23.8 mm
- Still Images: JPEG, RAW
- Movies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC S
- Audio: AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)
- Video Format: 3840 x 2160p – 23.98/25/29.97 fps (60 Mb/s XAVC S H.264) & (100 Mb/s XAVC S H.264), 1920 x 1080p at 100/120 fps (60 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264) & (100 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264), 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps (50 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264), 1920 x 1080p at 50/59.94 fps (25 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264) & (16 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264), 1920 x 1080i at 50/59.94 fps (24 Mb/s AVCHD via H.264) & (17 Mb/s AVCHD via H.264)
- Memory Card Type: SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo
- Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Way
- Video Clip Length: Up to 29 Min
- Built-In Mic: With Video (Stereo)
- Autofocus Points: Phase Detection 693, Contrast Detection 425
- Viewfinder Type: Electronic
- Viewfinder Size: 0.5″
- Viewfinder Pixel Count: 2,359,000
- Viewfinder Eye Point: 23.00 mm
- Display Screen: 3″ Rear Touch Screen Tilting LCD (921,600)
- Wi-Fi Capable: Yes
- Battery: 1 x NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 2280 mAh
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9″ / 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7 mm
- Weight: 1.43 lb / 650 g
Pros:
- 24MP full-frame BSI sensor
- 10fps with tracking
- Silent shooting
- 4K HDR video
- Less costly than other cameras on the list
- 5-axis stabilization
Cons:
- No battery wall charger
- Compatibility with Sony lenses only
Bottom line
Set Sony A7 III against its predecessors, and it will turn out better than ever due to its enhanced performance and new features. It does not cost as much as regular mirrorless cameras by Sony. However still, this camera is fully capable of delivering a professional level performance like any other pricey mirrorless camera.
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Conclusion
Sony and its camera quality do not require any introduction. And when it comes to super compact and modern mirrorless cameras, there are hardly one or two brands that can achieve the quality that Sony’s mirrorless cameras offer.
Are you looking for the best mirrorless cameras?
We got you covered and compiled the five best mirrorless cameras from sony with detailed insight into every aspect of these cameras. Every camera is perfect in a unique way. Let us know with your feedback which one of these cameras meets your photography needs in the best way possible.