Sony Camera Shopping Guide
- Ulanzi Octopus Tripod with Ball Head
- Screen Protector
- Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-BX1)
- Wind Screen Adapter
- Sony ACCVC1 Vlogger Accessory Kit with Shooting Grip and 64GB UHS-II SD Card
- Green Extreme NP-BX1 Battery
- ProOptic Cleaning Kit
- Micro USB Cable
- H&A VideoMini On-Camera Microphone
- Slinger Shoulder Bag
- Compact Charger
The Sony camera lineup is arguably better than it has ever been.
With entry-level options like the Sony ZV-1, professional models like the Sony a1, and loads of options in between for enthusiast photographers, there truly is a Sony camera for everyone.
If you're ready to upgrade your camera and want a Sony, use this shopping guide to help you narrow down the possibilities.
Each camera on this list has distinct pros and cons, so we'll discuss those along with the essential features these cameras offer as a means of helping you make the best decision for your needs.
Let's get started and find the best Sony camera for you!
Sony Camera Shopping Guide: Sony ZV-1
One of the newest members of the Sony camera family is also one of the most affordable.
The Sony ZV-1 was designed with videographers in mind, so if you fancy yourself a videophile, this might be a nice budget-friendly camera for you.
This little guy offers 4K video at up to 30fps and if you want slow-motion video, you can do that in full HD at up to 120fps. Add in a directional microphone, a rotating LCD for seeing yourself as you film, and compatibility with all Bluetooth grips, and you have the makings of a fantastic camera for shooting video.
But, this isn't just a great camera for video.
Instead, this Sony camera has a 20MP sensor with focus tracking for eyes, faces, and other subjects, so you can capture pin-sharp images, even if the subject you're photographing is on the move.
This camera also has image stabilization, smart auto exposure, and a multi-interface shoe for connecting all sorts of accessories. And that's just the start!
Learn more about the Sony ZV-1
Sony ZV-1 Vlogger Kit
If your goal is to become a vlogger, then the ZV-1 Vlogger Kit has everything you need!
In addition to all the excellent video features that this Sony camera offers, this kit comes with a host of accessories that will make vlogging easier:
In other words, from audio to video to cleaning the camera, you get everything you need to kickstart your YouTube channel!
Learn more about the Sony ZV-1 Vlogger Kit
Sony Camera Shopping Guide: Sony RX100 VII
When you think of compact cameras, you might not think of something that packs as much of a punch as the Sony RX100 VII.
Despite its tiny size, this camera has a 20.1MP sensor, a 24-200mm equivalent f/2.8-4.5 lens, continuous shooting at up to 20fps, and a lightning-fast autofocus system that acquires focus on the subject in just 0.02 seconds. In fact, this little guy has one of the fastest autofocus systems on the market.
In addition to all those features, the RX VII has a touch-enabled LCD screen that folds up 180 degrees and down 90 degrees to help you get high-angle and low-angle photos and videos.
There's also a 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder that pops up to give you another means of framing up beautiful shots.
This Sony camera weighs just 0.67 pounds and measures 4.02 x 2.28 x 1.69 inches, so it is certainly designed to be a powerful, yet easily portable camera that can slide into your pocket.
Learn more about the Sony RX100 VII
Sony a6600
If you want a camera with a compact body and a budget friendly price, but don't want something as small as the RX100 VII, the Sony a6600 is a great option.
Packing a 24.2MP sensor, a BionZ X processor, and an ISO range of 100 to 32000, this Sony camera gives you excellent image quality and low-light shooting capabilities.
When shooting in low light (or any situation in which you're holding the camera), you can get improved results because of the a6600's 5-axis image stabilization system.
If you typically photograph fast-moving subjects, this camera can hold its own with up to 11fps burst shooting speed. Combined with an autofocus system that has 425 phase-detect and 425 contrast-detect AF points, you have a system that gives you a fast and reliable autofocus experience. In fact, it's the same autofocus system that's in the RX100 VII, so it acquires subjects in just 0.02 seconds.
At 1.11 pounds, this camera is certainly bigger than the RX100 VII, but it still only measures 4.72 x 2.64 x 2.72 inches. The small body is still portable, but with a bigger grip and larger buttons, it's better suited to photographers with larger hands.
This isn't just a good Sony camera for photographers, though - it offers 4K UHD video at up to 30p and full HD at up to 120p.
Learn more about the Sony a6600
Sony Camera Shopping Guide: Sony a7 IV
This is a full frame Sony camera with a 33MP Exmor R back-illuminated sensor.
This sensor is regarded as offering excellent image quality as well as superb speed - Sony used copper wiring that helps boost transmission speeds, including faster readout of 4K videos.
Speaking of videos, the a7 IV can accommodate 4K video at up to 60p. The footage can be edited to slow motion when rendered at 24p or 30p in post-production. You can also get 30p full pixel readout without any binning with 7K oversampling. In other words, you can shoot highly detailed, beautiful video with this camera!
The aforementioned Exmor R sensor also gives you excellent dynamic range with more than 15 stops, improved autofocus speed, and excellent color reproduction.
The BIONZ XR processing engine in this Sony camera enables incredible autofocus performance that includes Real-time Eye AF and Real-time tracking with improved face detection. This is an excellent feature if you want to pursue action photography like sports or wildlife.
Add in the ability to use this camera as a webcam, image stabilization, focus mapping, and other high-end features, and you have the makings of a highly-capable camera for photographers and videographers alike.
Learn more about the Sony a7 IV
Sony a7s III
The Sony a7S III is yet another fine Sony camera with loads of possibilities for photographers and videographers.
This is one of the newer cameras on this list and sports modern features that make it an all-around nice selection. This includes a 12MP BSI CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 80-102,400 and an EVF with 9.44 million dots of resolution.
There are many other impressive specs as well...
You get 5-axis image stabilization, a 3-inch fully articulating LCD screen, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, all in a 1.35-pound body.
Where this camera really shines is in its video capabilities.
You can shoot 4K video at up to 120p. There is a small 1.1x crop when shooting 4K at 120p, but there is no crop in 60p.
You can also shoot slow-motion video at up to 240fps in full HD. You get the option of 16-bit Raw video output at up to 60p too.
Learn more about the Sony a7S III
Sony Camera Shopping Guide: Sony a7R IV
As one of the higher-end cameras on this list, the Sony a7R IV is probably something that only enthusiast and pro photographers should consider.
In terms of sensor resolution, this camera kills the competition with a 61MP full frame CMOS sensor.
Paired with that is a 567-point autofocus system, which is, as you'd expect, very fast.
This is a bigger camera than most on this list, but is still only the size of a small DSLR. That small body has top-shelf weather sealing to make it a great option for landscape photographers that encounter difficult weather situations.
You can shoot video at up to 30p in 4K, which isn't as good as some of the other options on this list, but is still certainly respectable.
But make no mistake - this is a camera for photographers, not videographers.
It has 5-axis image stabilization, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD, a 5.76-million-dot OLED EVF, 10fps burst shooting, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to make the job of capturing beautiful images that much easier.
And with a lifespan of 250,000 actuations, it's a camera that you can depend on for a very long time!
Learn more about the Sony a7R IV
Sony a9 II
Another high-end Sony camera option you might consider is the a9 II.
This camera debuted in 2019 and quickly won acclaim for its lightning-fast 20fps burst shooting capabilities. With that kind of speed, sports and wildlife photographers love this camera.
Of course, there's lots more to love about it...
It has a 24.2MP full frame sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, weatherproofing, a 693-point phase detection autofocus system, and an ISO range of 100-51,200.
The a9 II also comes with 4K video at 30fps or 1080 HD video at 120fps.
On back is a 3-inch tilting touchscreen and a 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder, while under the hood is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability, a 500-shot battery life, and a BIONZ X Image processor.
Add in real-time tracking, anti-flicker shooting, and silent shooting for good measure as well!
Learn more about the Sony a9 II
Sony Camera Shopping Guide: Sony a1
At the top of the heap in terms of features is the Sony a1 camera - the brand's new flagship.
The list of specs and features with this camera is long and distinguished...
It has a 50.1MP full frame stacked EXMOR RS Sensor with integral memory. Paired with that is a next-generation BIONZ XR image processing engine.
All that power means that this camera can accommodate 50.1MP RAW and JPEG shooting at up to 30fps. It does so with 120 AF/AE calculations per second.
Other features include blackout-free shooting at up to 30fps, a 9.44-million-dot QXGA OLED EVF, and the world's first anti-flicker mechanical and electronic shutter.
Additionally, the a1sports a dual-drive mechanical shutter, anti-distortion electronic shutter, at 8K video at 30p in 10-bit 4:2:0 format
If you're looking for a Sony camera that pulls every punch, this is it!
What About Sony Lenses?
Of course, a camera body on its own won't do you much good, so you'll need to think about what glass you want to add to your camera.
There are obviously loads of choices here, from primes to zooms, wide-angle to telephoto.
And while it would be nice to have one of everything, very few people have an unlimited budget.
With that in mind, I've got two lens recommendations, both of which I've found to be highly functional and versatile.
Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 E-Mount Full Frame Lens
At f/1.8, this lens offers a nice, big aperture without having to pay the price of an f/.1.4 or f/1.2 lens.
The 35mm focal length is a nice standard length lens that offers good flexibility for photographing all sorts of subjects from landscapes to portraits.
It has a 9-blade aperture that gives you nice bokeh for portraits while the aspherical elements inside minimize aberration to give you beautiful, clean images.
With a compact build, dust and moisture resistance, and a low price, this lens should be on your radar whether you're a beginner, enthusiast, or professional photographer.
Learn more about the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8
Sony FE 24-240mm F/3.5-6.3 OSS E-Mount Camera Lens
If you want a lens for your Sony camera that has all kinds of versatility, it's hard to go wrong with the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.
With one lens, you can shoot wide-angle to super telephoto, which makes it a perfect option for landscapes, nature and wildlife photography, sports, and travel photography, to name a few.
The lens features five aspherical elements and one ED glass element, which gives you excellent image quality. The advanced linear motor makes focusing a quick and smooth process no matter the focal length.
Since this is an OSS lens, you can worry less about low-light images and hand-holding the camera, too. With dust and weather resistance built in, this lens is ready to go wherever you do!
Learn more about the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
