Sony has been a leader in the field of cameras for a long time. In recent years, it’s been making a lot of headway with mirrorless cameras. The Sony a7 series stands out as one of the best. But among the a7 models, there are a few I recommend.
In this post, I review the best Sony mirrorless cameras and help you decide which to buy. I also discuss the best use cases for each of these cameras.
Best Sony Mirrorless Cameras
1. Sony a7 III
Best Sony Mirrorless Camera Overall
Sony a7 III
The Sony a7 III is a high-end camera that can be used for both photography and videography. It features a new Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor with 24.2 MP and a BIONZ X processor that improves image quality, video capabilities, and AF performance. The body of the a7 III has also been redesigned and features a new touch screen LCD, an improved EVF, a larger battery, and two memory card slots.
Sony’s a7 III is a superb camera, despite being more costly than its rivals. It’s the perfect balance of features and price. It has a 24MP sensor, the same as the a7 II, but a higher ISO range (up to 204,800 vs 51,200). The Sony a7 III features a powerful BionzX image processor. Why is this important? First used on the Sony a7R III, it boasted fantastic image quality. And that’s what you get in the Sony a7 III now, but at a lower cost.
Thus, the a7 III sits in the middle of the A7 camera line. With its 24.2MP full-frame sensor, it’s not as powerful as the 42MP a7R III. But it has more resolution than the 12.9MP a7S II, making it a great option if you want prints larger than 13×19 cm. The a7 III also has a fast and accurate autofocus system. But it doesn’t have a touchscreen, which is a shame.
Its battery life is longer than the a7 II’s (610 vs 350 shots). Plus, a new joystick in the back is easier to control. A new a7 III autofocus mode, “lock-on AF,” is ideal for wildlife photographers. This feature helps track fast-moving objects. The a7 III is a great camera with a superb sensor. But if you’re into video, check out the Sony a7S III.
Best lenses for Sony a7 III
- Zoom wide-angle: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
- Prime wide-angle: Sony FE 28mm f/2
- For portraits: Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 or Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 or Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
- Mid-range zoom (for landscapes, traveling): Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8
- Telephoto: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8
2. Sony a7R IV
Best performance
Sony a7 III
The Sony a7 IV is a capable camera for photos and videos. Photographers will find it a good choice thanks to its high resolution and AF performance, while filmmakers and content creators will appreciate the 4K 60p video recording.
Sony A7R IV is the best full-frame Sony mirrorless camera available. It even beats its rivals, the Nikon Z7 and the Canon EOS R5. It has an astonishing 61MP sensor, making it ideal for landscape photography. The new in-body stabilization system (IBIS) is more proficient in low-light conditions. The Sony a7R IV features a more durable shutter with a max speed of 1/8000 seconds.
The improved subject tracking in continuous shooting mode allows up to 10 FPS. But it’s not good for the video; it does only 4Kp30. It has the same LCD screen (1,400k dots) as the Sony a7R III. Yet, the viewfinder is way better (5,760k dots vs 3,686k). The Sony a7R IV comes with the same Wi-Fi/NFC/Bluetooth, weather-sealing, and twin SD card slots as the a7R III.
3. Sony A9 II
Best for wildlife and sports
Sony A9 II
The Sony a9 II is a high-end mirrorless camera with a 24.2MP full-frame Exmor RS BSI stacked CMOS sensor, an updated BIONZ X processor, and fast and responsive shooting capabilities. It also features a more ergonomic body design, improved weather sealing, and better connectivity and transfer speeds.
Sony a9 II is a versatile full-frame mirrorless camera designed to be a jack-of-all-trades. The a9 II is a follow-up to the original a9. It was a full-frame mirrorless, one of the fastest cameras you could buy when it launched in 2017. Now, the a9 II is faster, better, and more capable than ever. It has a new 24-megapixel sensor, a new focusing system, and a mechanical shutter designed to keep working even in the cold.
Sony claims the a9 II can burst at 20 fps and take high-speed videos at 120 fps. It uses a new algorithm to predict subject motion and can detect and track both faces and colors. It has a new ultra-high-speed image processing engine that can record and process data at 30 times the speed of the A9. It also has a new anti-distortion shutter that can shoot at an ultra-fast 1/32,000th of a second.
That’s fast, and it’s one of the reasons why the a9 II is such a versatile camera. Based on that, the Sony A9 II is the best Sony mirrorless camera for wildlife photography.
4. Sony a7S III
Best for video and streaming
Sony a7S III
The Sony a7S III is a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera with exceptional performance and features. It features a redesigned 12.1MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and an updated BIONZ XR image processor for faster performance, better noise reduction, and wider dynamic range. It features 10-bit 4:2:2 internal sampling and can record UHD 4K 120p video.
The new Sony a7S III is a fantastic camera that goes beyond the Sony a7S II. While the Sony a7S II was already one of the best cameras for video, the Sony a7S III is better in almost every way. It’s worth buying, especially for video recording, as it captures an a7S III 4K video at 60 fps.
The a7S III has a 12-megapixel full-frame sensor that can shoot at up to 10 frames per second. The Sony a7S III has a massive dynamic range, which makes it a great video camera. Its ISO expands to 409,600. The Sony a7S III is the best video camera for both professionals and hobbyists. It’s the most popular camera for YouTubers and vloggers alike.
5. Sony a6600
Best for beginners
Sony a6600
The Sony a6600 is a slim, versatile mirrorless camera in APS-C format that’s great for both stills and video. It features a redesigned 24.2MP CMOS sensor that can capture high-resolution photos and up to 4K UHD video with no time limit. It also features more efficient processing, faster focusing, and an image stabilizer for more stable shooting in difficult lighting conditions.
Sony has announced a new version of its Alpha a6500 camera, the Sony a6600. It’s a premium mirrorless camera, ideal for advanced photographers. However, beginners with a higher budget also enjoy it. The Sony a6600 is a well-built camera that is comfortable to hold, but it is also one of the most advanced Sony cameras to date. It has many high-end features, but it also has a few drawbacks. It comes with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 425 focus points, and 11fps continuous shooting. It can record 4K movies and has an ISO range of 100–51,200.
Although the Sony Alpha a6500 is an impressive camera, it’s not as good as the competition. For example, the Panasonic Lumix G9 has a better EVF and better AF. The Sony Alpha a6600 is the ultimate Sony camera for those who own a lot of Sony lenses. But those who don’t own many Sony lenses will enjoy the better EVF and AF of the Panasonic Lumix G9. The Sony Alpha a6600 is a well-rounded camera that both experienced and budding photographers can use.
6. Sony a6400
Best for under $1,000
Sony a6400
The Sony a6400 is a reliable and stylish APS-C format mirrorless camera with versatile photo and video capabilities. With proven sensor design, fast and accurate performance AF and smart usability, this camera is the ideal partner for capturing everyday moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Sony released the Sony a6400 as a successor to Sony a6300. It’s one of the best mirrorless cameras for under $1000. In fact, you can even get it for as low as $900 sometimes. The Sony a6400 has been designed for those who want a lightweight mirrorless camera that takes excellent photos. It is a serious advancement from its predecessor, the a6300.
The a6400 has a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor that boasts a burst speed of 11fps. It’s a camera well-suited for action photography and vlogging. A flip-out touchscreen is another excellent feature that’s going to help you. A premium design makes it fit even in smaller hands. It’s so lightweight you might even forget that you’re holding a camera.
The a6400 is a camera that is a great choice for those who want a camera that takes outstanding photos. The Sony a6400 can compete with other professional cameras that cost much more.
How Our Picks Compare
| Sony a7 III | Sony a7 IV | Sony a9 II | Sony a7S III | Sony a6400 | Sony a6600 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens Mount | 24.2 MP | 33 MP | 24.2 MP | 12.1 MP | 24.2 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Sensor Type | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS | 23.5 x 15.6 mm (APS-C) CMOS | 23.5 x 15.6 mm (APS-C) CMOS |
| Crop Factor | – | – | – | – | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis | – | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis |
| ISO Sensitivity | 100 to 51,200 (Extended: 50 to 204,800) | 100 to 51,200 (Extended: 50 to 204,800) | 100 to 51,200 (Extended: 50 to 204,800) | 80 to 102,400 (Extended: 40 to 409,600) | 100 to 32,000 (Extended: 100 to 102,400) | 100 to 32,000 (Extended: 50 to 102,400) |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 10 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 89 Frames | Up to 10 fps at 33 MP for up to 828 Frames | Up to 20 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 239 Frames | Up to 10 fps at 12.1 MP for up to 1000 Frames | Up to 11 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 46 Frames | Up to 11 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 46 Frames |
| Monitor | 3.0″, 921.6K Dot, Tilting Touchscreen LCD | 3.0″, 1.04M Dot, Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD | 3.0″, 1.44M Dot, Tilting Touchscreen LCD | 3.0″, 1.44M Dot, Articulating Touchscreen LCD | 3.0″, 921.6K Dot, 180° Tilting Touchscreen LCD | 3.0″, 921.6K Dot, 180° Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
| Viewfinder | 0.5″, 2.36M Dot, Built-In Electronic | 0.5″, 3.68M Dot, Built-In Electronic (OLED) | 0.5″, 3.68M Dot, Built-In Electronic (OLED) | 0.64″, 9.44M Dot, Built-In Electronic (OLED) | 0.39″, 2.36M Dot, Built-In Electronic | 0.39″, 2.36M Dot, Built-In Electronic |
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 693 Contrast Detection: 425 | Phase Detection: 759 Contrast Detection: 425 | Phase Detection: 693 Contrast Detection: 425 | Phase Detection: 759 Contrast Detection: 425 | Phase Detection: 425 Contrast Detection: 425 | Phase Detection: 425 Contrast Detection: 425 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5 x 3.8 x 2.9″ / 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7 mm | 5.2 x 3.8 x 3.1″ / 131.3 x 96.4 x 79.8 mm | 5.07 x 3.8 x 3.05″ / 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5 mm | 5.07 x 3.81 x 2.74″ / 128.9 x 96.9 x 69.7 mm | 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.4″ / 120 x 66.9 x 59.7 mm | 4.72 x 2.63 x 2.73″ / 120 x 66.9 x 69.3 mm |
| Weight | 1.43 lb / 650 g | 1.4 lb / 658 g | 1.49 lb / 678 g | 1.35 lb / 614 g | 14.22 oz / 403 g | 1.11 lb / 503 g |
What is a mirrorless camera?
A digital camera uses a sensor to capture images rather than film. It is the digital equivalent of a film camera. Compared to DSLRs, mirrorless cameras use electronic viewfinders (EV) instead of optical viewfinders.
Along with this, mirrorless cameras are often smaller and lighter than DSLRs. They are becoming popular among photographers due to their many advantages.
Based on several parameters, including pricing, build, and image quality; these are the best Sony mirrorless cameras:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the best Sony mirrorless camera to buy?
I’ve researched the Sony mirrorless system and decided that A7 III is the best Sony camera. It’s the best all-around mid-range system. It’s not cheap, but it has all the features that most people would ever need. Recently, Sony released an updated version: Sony A7 IV. If you can afford it, it’s even better than the A7 III.
What is the difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera?
DSLRs use a mirror to reflect the light up into the viewfinder, which gives you a preview. Mirrorless cameras don’t have a mirror, so the light hits the image sensor directly.
Why should you buy a Sony mirrorless camera?
The primary reason why Sony cameras have been so popular is that they offer exceptional features. And Sony has been updating them at has been expanding from one model to another. Apart from this, Sony has developed many cameras, which prioritize customers.
Are Sony mirrorless cameras good?
Sony has been doing great in the last few years after it released some of the best mirrorless cameras on the market. Sony’s mirrorless cameras aren’t only good-looking but perform well too. Not only that, they are pretty affordable, especially considering what you get. They are also easy to use, which makes them perfect for beginners.
What is a Sony mirrorless camera?
Sony mirrorless camera is a system of digital cameras that use a mirrorless system to produce images. They are different from DSLR cameras in that they are smaller, lighter, and more compact. You can recognize Sony mirrorless cameras by the Greek letter “alpha” in the name. When writing, we often swap it with an “a” in English.
Are Sony mirrorless cameras worth it?
Sony has been steadily improving its alpha series. With each new release, the cameras get better by packing new features. However, the prices are also increasing. Thus, Sony’s cameras are amazing, but there are better alternatives. I recommend Nikon Z6 II and Canon EOS R5.
Conclusion
Sony cameras have come a long way from where they started, and they continue to impress. If you’re looking for a camera with great image quality without sacrificing too much budget, you can’t go wrong with the Sony alpha series.
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