Technology
Best Sony Mirrorless Camera 2023
Sony mirrorless cameras: shoot, don’t blink!
Mirrorless cameras, which appeared on the market not so long ago, are already ready to supplant the recognized classics of photographic equipment – SLR cameras. Buyers are attracted by their lightness and small size, compact interchangeable lenses, convenient electronic viewfinder, high burst speed and a number of other advantages that DSLRs cannot boast of. As a pioneer and innovator in full-frame mirrorless cameras, Sony continues to improve its technology. We will talk about them in our article.
Camera technology from Sony – ahead of the rest
Sony was the first company to evaluate the possibilities of the full-frame mirrorless segment. In the fall of 2013, Alpha 7 was born , and it was a turning point for the entire global photography industry. Until then, mirrorless cameras could not seriously compete with SLR cameras due to the small size of the sensor. Professional photographers were skeptical about them, and few believed in the bright future of this technology.
With the release of a full-frame mirrorless camera, Sony broke the mold and proved that these cameras deserve to be called professional. And with the passage of time and the improvement of technology, it became clear that they seriously claim to win the competition with the classics. Moreover, some experts believe that Sony’s mirrorless full-frame technologies marked the beginning of the end of the mirror era.
What are the features of Sony mirrorless cameras? Why have they gained such popularity and maintain unflagging interest in themselves among photographers? So, the main technologies that glorified the Sony mirrorless camera.
Features of Sony mirrorless cameras
G Master Lens Lineup
Especially for full-frame mirrorless cameras, Sony has created a line of G Master lenses . The highest possible resolution ensures perfect detail, and special aspherical lens processing technology enhances the smooth and realistic effect of artistic background blur in pictures. Thanks to the advanced drive system, focusing is fast and accurate. GM lenses are dust and water resistant, as well as enhanced reliability even in difficult working conditions. With them, you can not only take high-quality photos, but also shoot videos.
Five-axis matrix stabilization
Sony has managed to introduce a five-axis matrix stabilization system into a full-frame camera. It compensates not only for vertical and horizontal fluctuations, but also for angular shifts and movements around its axis. Thanks to this, it became possible to take perfectly clear pictures even when photographing without a tripod in low light conditions, as well as to move freely during the shooting without worrying about sharpness.
Autofocus for eyes
Eye AF is a Sony -exclusive solution for sharp portrait shots. Moreover, this effect is achieved when shooting in any conditions, whether it be a moving object, long distance, low light or backlight. Models do not have to look into the lens: even if the gaze is directed to the side or down, the sensor recognizes the eyes and provides perfectly accurate focus. In combination with a large number of focus points covering the entire frame area, the technology allows you to create any portrait composition at a professional level. The system works extremely simply: the user just needs to press the button, and the camera itself will select the necessary sensors on the matrix.
Silent Shooting
Shutter noise is often very inappropriate. For example, it is extremely undesirable when shooting in museums, libraries and other places where silence is supposed to be observed, as well as in cases where the photographer wants to remain unnoticed. In reflex cameras with “mechanics” this effect is inevitable. Manufacturers try to minimize it by equipping cameras with a silent shooting function. But Sony’s mirrorless ones are completely silent. This is achieved through an electronic shutter, which, by the way, provides a high speed burst shooting.
Wide dynamic range with backlit sensor
Dynamic range determines the camera’s ability to reproduce the dark and light areas of a frame. If this indicator is not high enough, bright areas may turn out to be overexposed, and under-lit areas, on the contrary, dark. Thanks to their wide dynamic range, Sony’s mirrorless mirrors render both shadows and highlights in the photo equally accurately – almost the same as the human eye distinguishes them. And on a sunny day, and in the light of the moon, the pictures will be clear and detailed.
This is achieved due to the special design of the matrix. Back-illuminated technology means the sensor captures light better. As a result, the dynamic range is expanded, sensitivity is increased and noise is reduced.
High ISO and low noise
When shooting in low light, photographers often have to compromise between high ISOs and noise levels. With the Sony Alpha mirrorless camera, this is no longer necessary. Thanks to a new sensor design and a high-performance image processor, it is now possible to shoot at high ISOs without too much noise. And even in low light, it manages to capture detailed, clean shots without annoying pixels.
Electronic OLED Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder is both an advantage and a minor problem with mirrorless cameras. Its advantage is that it covers 100% of the frame and shows the image exactly as it will be in the picture. The downside is the mandatory digitization of the picture, which is why it is not displayed in real time. The Sony A7 mirrorless cameras are equipped with a high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder that works almost without delay and shows a clear, realistic image even in the dark.
WiFi/NFC
Sony Alpha mirrorless camera equipped with wireless modulesWiFiAndNFC. With their help, you can quickly and easily copy pictures to a computer or mobile device, remotely control the camera from a smartphone, upload files to social networks and cloud storage, and perform many other useful operations.
Powered by a portable battery
Battery capacity is one of the few stats that mirrorless cameras are still inferior to DSLRs. Sony has solved this problem: the camera will no longer be discharged at the most inopportune moment. The manufacturer not only supplied the camera with a high-capacity battery, but also provided for the possibility of power supply from an external source – a power bank (for example, in the A6300, A6500, A7, A7M III models).
No blackout
Electronic viewfinder technology, implemented in Sony cameras , eliminates the appearance of blackout – an undesirable effect in which the image disappears for a moment. This feature is very important for continuous shooting. The user observes a smooth transition of frames in the viewfinder, as when watching a video, and can continuously follow the object.
Fire rate up to 20 frames per second
High-speed continuous shooting is a virtue of all mirrorless cameras, but Sony has achieved truly phenomenal results. In the Alpha 9 model , the rate of fire reaches 20 frames per second.
Focus by touching the LCD screen
Sony cameras have a convenient mode for adjusting the focus by touching the screen. The user manually specifies the object to focus on, and then the camera automatically follows it.
Sony mirrorless camera models 2023
Five years have passed since the release of Sony’s first full-frame mirrorless camera , and this time has not been wasted. The company has been continuously working on improving the characteristics, supplementing the created models with new useful features. The third generation of Sony’s full-format sensor mirrorless has already been released , and we can trace their evolution from the beginning to the present day.
Sony Alpha 7
Sony Alpha 7 was a revolutionary model: it was with her that the company launched the production of mirrorless cameras with a full frame sensor. This model has already reflected many of the characteristics that later became the hallmark of the series.
The first “seven” is made in a durable magnesium case, which weighs only 416 grams with a battery. At the same time, the dimensions of the camera are 25% smaller than traditional SLR cameras.
The model received a full-frame (35.8 × 23.9 mm) matrix with a resolution of 24.3 megapixels and a new BIONZ X processor , which made it possible to achieve realistic color reproduction and reduce noise. The hybrid autofocus system is fast and accurate, with the ability to adjust the area and autofocus on the eyes.
The electronic OLED viewfinder with a resolution of 1024 × 768 operates in 5 modes, accurately reproduces the effect of bokeh and changing the depth of field, and provides the ability to adjust the brightness and color temperature.
Built-in wireless modules availableWiFiAndNFCfor simple and fast data exchange with other devices.
The short working length allows you to install any lenses through the adapter.
A year later, Sony released an improved version of the model – Alpha 7 II . The most valuable thing that appeared in it is a five-axis image stabilizer. The design of the camera has changed somewhat: it has become more like a classic SLR camera.
But the company did not stop there and in 2018 released the third generation of the “seven” – Alpha 7 III . Here we already see a back-lit sensor, an even faster processor, 693 AF points, burst speed increased to 10 frames per second. There are also many other improvements, such as the function of selecting the focus area by touching the touch screen and autofocus for the eyes.
Sony Alpha 7S
The first version of the Sony Alpha 7S camera , released in 2014, is aimed not only at photographers, but also at videographers. This is the reason for its main differences from Alpha 7 . The matrix received a relatively low resolution of 12 megapixels, due to which it was possible to reduce noise as much as possible. And the ISO range has reached colossal values - 50-409 600 units (the letter S in the name means sensitivity – “sensitivity”). Another innovation was the ability to record video in 4K format.
The updated version of the Alpha 7S II , like the Alpha 7 II , has a five-axis image stabilizer. The number of AF points has increased from 25 to 169. Video recording resolution has increased: in MP4 format – withHDbeforeFull HD, in XAVC S format – up toUltra HDand 4K. Compared to the previous version, there are more image adjustment options.
Sony Alpha 7R
This model was released simultaneously with the Sony Alpha 7 in October 2013 – then the company introduced two cameras and a line of compatible optics at once. Its main feature is reflected in the name: R means resolution, that is, “resolution”. And this is understandable, given that the number of megapixels in the matrix has been increased to 36.
This model, unlike the Alpha 7 , received a contrast focusing system. But in the next version of the Alpha 7R II , Sony has corrected this shortcoming by endowing the new camera with a fast hybrid autofocus with 399 points. The resolution of the matrix has grown to 42 megapixels, for the first time backlight technology has been used. The sensitivity range has also increased: from 100–25,600 to 100–51,200 ISO units . As with all second-generation Sony cameras , five-axis stabilization has appeared. The camera “learned” to support more video recording formats. The image in the viewfinder has become larger: the magnification ratio has increased to 0.78 (in the previous version – 0.71).
In the third generation camera – Sony Alpha 7R III – many features have become even better. The list of improvements can be long, so we will name only the main ones:
increased shooting speed (10 frames per second);
two slots for memory cards;
touch screen;
joystick for selecting the focus area;
3.7 million dot high-resolution viewfinder;
autofocus on the eyes;
more powerful battery (according to the manufacturer, up to 650 shots on a single charge).
Buy can not be delayed
For those who still doubt whether it is worth buying a Sony mirrorless camera , here are a number of additional arguments in favor of the purchase:
Choice of cameras tailored to individual preferences – Sony’s balanced lineup is designed to meet the needs of photographers and videographers working in different genres;
a comprehensive solution from Sony – a camera plus a wide range of compatible optics, including the premium series of G Master lenses ;
the ability to use interchangeable optics from other manufacturers (using an adapter);
a wide range of professional components and accessories;
two-year warranty (three years – when buying in the official online store);
professional service.
For a purchase, it is better to go to a specialized digital equipment store: in this case, the risk of acquiring a fake is minimal. Sellers who work with a certain type of product are usually well versed in their product and can give competent advice. And when you buy a Sony camera in the official online store or in the Sony Center , you get an additional year of warranty and professional service.
What to look for when buying?
Check the integrity of the box and the tightness of the packaging of individual components.
Make sure that the instruction is attached to the camera – this indicates that the device is “white” which means that you will definitely not have problems with the warranty.
Inspect the camera for scratches, dirt, pay special attention to the lens.
Make sure that the equipment is working (you should first study the instructions).
Check for availability of accessories.
Follow the paperwork (warranty card, sales and cash receipts).
In the tradition of Sony to surprise with innovations. This was once again confirmed by the line of mirrorless cameras with a full-format matrix, which has become a model of high manufacturability. At the moment, the Sony Alpha series includes nine models focused on different needs. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, a Sony camera is a great investment.