SONY: COMPLETE GUIDE TO CAMERAS AND LENSES

This is a comprehensive guide to Sony's range of cameras and lenses. In it you will be able to solve doubts about the brand and better understand its catalogue, both of cameras and lenses.

If you want to know which camera to buy, if your camera is compatible with a lens, or what all those letters or numbers that appear on the lens mean, which lens is best for your Sony camera, etc., you are in the right place.

Whether you are in doubt, curious or hungry for knowledge, keep reading.

WHAT IS SONY?

Sony Group Corporationis a Japanese multinational company and one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer electronics: photography, mobile telephony, audio, video or video games.

Sony was founded in 1946 with headquarters in Tokyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita and is currently ranked 74th in the Fortune Global 500 highest revenue companies.

WHY THIS BRAND?

Sony is a reference brand not only in the world of photography, but in many areas of the electronic world, leading for years, is synonymous with credibility and reliability.

In the world of photography, especially in that of mirrorless cameras, it has shown for a long time to be ahead of any other brand, creating durable cameras, with excellent image quality, ultra-fast and great attention to the details.

WHAT CAMERA DO I BUY?

The classic question that we ask ourselves when faced with the decision to buy a camera is : What camera should I buy? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, rather there is a camera (or several) that is ideal for you, your photographic level, and your budget.

That's easy to say, but where do you start? Very simple, for this I have created this free tool designed to help you get it right with the purchase of a camera of any brand or level.

If what you prefer is to consult the main characteristics of a Sony model or any other brand, you just have to type the name in our encyclopedia of cameras .

You want a camera but you don't necessarily need the latest model and you prefer to save some money? the world of second-hand cameras may be the option that best suits you. Always do it after taking a look at this second-hand material buying guide .

That being said, let's get down to business ?

WHAT KIND OF CAMERAS DOES SONY HAVE?

Sony cameras are classified, today, in:

reflex cameras
mirrorless cameras
compact cameras
Bridge cameras
action cameras

REFLEX CAMERAS

They are those that have a mirror and interchangeable lenses and, although it is not the area where Sony has the most camera models, it has an offer for all photographer profiles, from the most professional to the most amateur. Its frame is type A.

If you want to get straight to the point, I'll reveal what are for me, the best Sony SLRs , if you want to see them all and judge for yourself, keep reading;).

SONY FULL FRAME (FX) SLR CAMERAS

The Full Frame (full sensor) are intended for a professional photographer. You can find, today, two models:

Sony a99 : A 24MP Full Frame camera with great image quality, ISO 100 – 25,600 sensitivity, translucent mirror technology for fast focusing, sealed, or a 3″ rotating LCD screen, among many other features that you can read about here.

Sony a99II: Professional hybrid AF camera with high-speed phase detection, AF/AE tracking, 12fps, in-body 5-axis image stabilization and 4K video capabilities.

To read the full specifications, click here.

SONY APS-C (DX) SLR CAMERAS

These cameras are geared towards a beginner to medium-enthusiast photographer.

Sony a58 : Ideal for beginners, light, with a folding screen, 20MP resolution, ISO 100–16,000, 8fps and good value for money. You can see our review here .

Sony a68: It is a translucent mirror reflex camera, which means that it can perform continuous autofocus without losing focus, it has a 24.2 MP sensor, 79 focus points, shutter speed: 1/4,000 a 30 seconds . It is intended for a beginner photographer. I recommend you read the review we did in this article to get to know the Sony a68 better. You can get it at this link.

Sony α77 II : For photographers who love sports or nature photography (wildlife), 79 focus points, 15 of them cross-type, 24.3MP, ISO: 100-25,600, 3.0″ type TFT LCD screen with 1,228,800 points (non-touch) and a shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30 seconds among other features.

We have the Sony α77 II reviewed here .

FULL FRAME (FX) VS. APS-C (DX)

APS-C SLR cameras differ from Full Frame cameras by the size of the sensor. In the case of APS-C, what we call the conversion or crop factor is produced , which in Sony is 1.5x.

In the following graph you can see the different sensor sizes.

The crop factor mainly affects the focal length of our lens. A 50mm lens on a camera with a 1.5x crop factor becomes a 75mm.

The image quality is also superior in Full Frame cameras, although for amateur use it is imperceptible.

With that being said, do you really need a full frame camera? ?

SONY MIRRORLESS CAMERAS (EVIL OR MIRRORLESS)

Mirrorless or EVIL cameras do not have a mirror, which allows them to be lighter and smaller.

This is where Sony has bet heavily and where I think it is really powerful and leading.

So stick around because we're going to be going over Sony's mirrorless cameras.

The mount type of EVIL cameras is type E.

EVIL FULL FRAME (FX) CAMERAS

They are aimed at a photographer from advanced to professional (because of benefits but also because of price).

These are the cameras that Sony has today:

Sony a7IV: 33MP professional camera, 10fps, 4K recording, 10fps, and ultra-fast and precise autofocus. Successor to the Sony a7 III . you can get it here.

Sony Alpha 1: 50MP professional camera , up to 30fps, 8K recording among many other features that you can take a look at here.

Sony Alpha 7C: Camera for advanced users, it has a 24 MP, sealed body, ISO 100-51,200, 693 focus points, fast hybrid autofocus, tilting screen or 4K recording among many other features.

We have this Sony Alpha 7C reviewed in depth in this article . You can get it at this link.

Sony Alpha 7S III: Professional 12 MP camera, ISO 80-102 400, Fast Hybrid AF with 759 focus points, and 4K recording. You can read the full specifications here.

Sony Alpha 9 II: Professional camera with 24.2MP, 20fps, ISO 100-51200, 693-point phase-detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF, and 4k video recording. I leave you with the complete specifications here.

Sony Alpha 7R IV : Professional 61MP camera, 10fps, ISO 100-32000, 4K recording, Fast Hybrid AF with 567 focus points. Read the full features here.If it has stolen your heart you can buy it at this link.

Sony Alpha 9: 24MP professional camera, ISO 100-51,200, 693-point wide-area phase detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF, 5-axis image stabilization, or 4K recording among other features.

Sony Alpha 7R III: 42.4MP professional camera, 10fps, ISO 100-32000, Fast Hybrid AF with 399-point focal-plane phase-detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF, or 1080P image stabilization 5 axes among other features.

Alpha 7 III: 24.2MP, 10fps professional camera, ISO 100-51200 (expandable to ISO 50-204800), Fast Hybrid AF with 693 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points, Dual card slot among many other features.

Sony Alpha 7R II: 42.2MP professional camera with back-illuminated full-frame sensor, 4K recording, 5-axis stabilizer, ISO, 50-102,400, and 399-point focal-plane phase-detection fast hybrid autofocus. You can read the full specifications here.

Sony α7S II: 12.4 MP professional camera, 4K recording, image stabilizer, ISO 100-102400, dual memory card slots, 169-point contrast-detection AF (contrast-detection AF). More features in this link.

Sony Alpha 7 II : Camera for advanced users with 5-axis image stabilizer, 24.3 MP, ISO 50–25,600, high-performance fast hybrid autofocus, tilting LCD screen, WIFI connection, and up to 5fps. HereYou can see all its features and, if it convinces you, you can buy it here.

Sony α7R: Professional-advanced user camera with 36.4MP, ISO 50–25,600, 3.0″ TFT LCD tilting screen, sealed body, WIFI connectivity, 4fps, weighing only 407g and ultra-fast focus. Take a look at its complete features.

Sony α7S: Power user camera with 4K recording, 12.2 MP, dust-sealed, fast intelligent autofocus, ISO 50 to ISO 409600, 3.0″ TFT LCD screen, 25 focus points. More information at this link.

Sony α7: Camera for advanced users, with 24.3 MP, 5fps, Full HD videos, WIFI connectivity, ISO 100 to 51,200, phase detection autofocus with 117 focus points, among other features.

Sony α7R IV: 61 MP professional camera, 10fps, ISO 100-32,000, Fast Hybrid AF with 567-point focal-plane phase-detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF, 12-hour battery life 530 shots, WI-FI, NFC, a shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30 seconds and many more features.

Sony α7R III: Professional camera 42.4MP, 10fps, ISO 100-32000, Fast Hybrid AF with 399-point focal-plane phase-detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF and 5-axis image stabilization . More information here.

Sony FX3: Professional camera for videographers of 12.1MP, ISO 100-409 600, 4K 60p recording without interruption, integrated stabilizer, possibility to attach an XLR handle, multi-angle touch screen, etc. More information in this review .

EVIL APS-C CAMERAS

Keep your eyes peeled here because, unless you're a professional user, this section is where I think you can find the ideal camera for you, no matter what photographic level you have and even your pocket (more or less ? ).

Sony Alpha ZV-E10: We were lucky enough to test it on the computer and the truth is that it did not leave us indifferent. It is specially oriented for vloggers and content creators in general.

A lightweight, versatile camera, with 24MP, 425-point fast hybrid autofocus, LCD touch screen, up to 11fps, ISO Sensitivity: 100-32000... I won't reveal any more because you can read our in-depth review here or buy it at this link.

Sony Alpha 6000: Another jewel in Sony's crown that, although it has been on the market for a few years, is still a very interesting camera.

It leaves a multitude of users more than satisfied and for the price it has today it is a bargain camera.

Ideal for amateurs with photographic knowledge who know how to squeeze all their possibilities. It has a 24.3 MP sensor, ISO sensitivity up to 25600, 11fps, weighs 285gr., 3″ TFT LCD screen (non-touch), WIFI and NFC system, etc.

We have a review of this Sony Alpha 6000 , in case you want to convince yourself ;).

Or if you are already convinced, you can buy it directly here.

Sony Alpha 6100: This camera has 24.2MP, 11fps, and an ISO-100-32000, it also adds 4k recording, a 180° tiltable LCD touch screen, 380-shot battery life, touch tracking and focus functions touch, customizable controls, external microphone input and high quality audio.

If you are interested in getting it you can do it here.

Sony Alpha 6300: We reviewed it at the time as "the small, light and fast as the wind." Features 24.2 MP, Fast Hybrid AF, ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to ISO 51,200), Flip-up LCD monitor: approx. 90 degrees, downwards: approx. 45 degrees, shutter speed from 1/4000 to 30s.

It also records in 4K, has a built-in flash, autofocus with a focus amplifier and a very long etcetera. Get an in-depth look at the Sony Alpha 6300 by reading this review.

Sony Alpha 6400: For serious hobbyists, this is a 24.2MP camera, 11fps, ISO 100-32000, records in 4k, has 425 phase-detection autofocus points, has Eye AF, touch screen 180° tiltable LCD and a battery life of approx. 360 shots.

Read more about the Sony Alpha 6400 in our review . You can get it at this link.

Sony Alpha 6500: "Fast, powerful and sealed." This is the title we gave it at the time in the Sony Alpha 6500 review .

Its main features are its 24.2 MP, autofocus with phase detection of 425 points for phase detection and 169 for contrast detection, 5-axis image stabilizer and its ISO level: 100-25,600 (expandable to 51,600). .

In addition, it has a 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT widescreen LCD touch screen with 921,600 points, tiltable 90º upwards and 45º downwards, built-in flash with NG 6, continuous shooting at 11fps and in Live View mode at 8fps, or anti-dust system, among many other features.

Sony Alpha 6600: At the moment the last of this saga without a mirror APS-C from Sony is this A6600.

A 24.2MP camera, 11fps, and an ISO 100-32000, 4K recording, 425 autofocus points with phase detection, real-time tracking and real-time Eye AF, battery life of approx. 720 shots. and 5-axis stabilizer.

You can read more about its features at this link, or buy it in this other.