Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Which is Best for 2023?
- Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha a6000
- Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha a6600
- Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha a7S III
- Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha 1
- Final Thoughts on This Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO: 100 - 25,600 (expandable to 100 - 51,200)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 179 phase-detection points
- Video: 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 120 x 67 x 45 mm / 344 grams
- Battery Life: 360 shots
- Stabilization: No
- Touchscreen: No
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 100 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 11.0 fps
- Autofocus: 425 phase-detection points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/100p
- Size/Weight: 120 x 67 x 69 mm / 503 grams
- Battery Life: 810 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 12.1MP Full-Frame CMOS sensor
- ISO: 80 - 102,400 (expandable to 40 - 409,600)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 10.0 fps
- Autofocus: 759 phase-detection points
- Video: 4K/120p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 129 x 97 x 81 mm / 699 grams
- Battery Life: 600 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 50.1MP Full-Frame CMOS sensor
- ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 30.0 fps
- Autofocus: 759 phase-detection points
- Video: 8K/30p, 4K/120p, & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 129 x 97 x 81 mm / 737 grams
- Battery Life: 530 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- The best Sony mirrorless camera for YouTube & Vlogging: Sony ZV-E10
- The best Sony mirrorless camera for adventure photography: Sony Alpha a6400
- The best Sony mirrorless camera for travel: Sony Alpha a7C
- The best Sony mirrorless camera for landscape photography: Sony Alpha a7R IV
- The best Sony mirrorless camera for sports and wildlife photography: Sony Alpha a9 II
Photo by seb_ra via iStock
Sony was the first company to invest heavily in mirrorless technology around 2010, and that bet has paid off big time. Today, they are the king of mirrorless cameras, and their lineup of mirrorless cameras is stronger than ever. However, with so many sensational mirrorless cameras on sale, deciding which one to buy has never been harder.
That’s why we built this Sony mirrorless camera comparison guide! In it, we share four of the best Sony mirrorless cameras available today, break down their strengths & weaknesses, and tell you who will benefit most from shooting with each one.
One amazing resource with loads of used Sony E mirrorless cameras and used Sony FE mirrorless cameras in stock and a place I keep going back to buy and sell photo and video gear is MPB. They are a trustworthy and reliable online platform that sells used photo and video kit at unbeatable prices.
Moreover, all of their cameras and lenses are carefully hand-inspected by knowledgeable product specialists and many are backed by warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free. Another phenomenal feature of MPB is its online marketplace, where you can trade in and sell your old gear to help offset the cost of new-to-you photo and video equipment.
Now, let’s dive in and explore which Sony camera is best for you based on your budget and experience!
Table of Contents
Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha a6000
First up, we have the award-winning Sony Alpha a6000. It is the longest-running and most-sold mirrorless camera of all time. Making its debut way back in 2014, this powerful little camera is on the older side, but it still holds up well today. And the fact that you can get your hands on one for under $400 makes it an absolute steal! It’s ideal for beginners and people on a tight budget.
Outside of its low price, this Sony camera has a ton going for it. The 24.3-megapixel image sensor produces high-quality images, and the responsive autofocus makes capturing in-focus images a piece of cake. On top of that, its ultra-portable, lightweight design makes it a great everyday camera, and it can even fit in your pocket!
The one downside of this camera is its lack of 4K video capabilities. With that said, the quality of its 1080p Full HD footage is superb.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony mirrorless camera:
Check out the video above by MPB to learn more about the Sony Alpha a6000.
Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha a6600
Another outstanding Sony E mirrorless camera is the Sony Alpha a6600. It’s a souped-up model of the a6000 mentioned above and an ideal camera for intermediate digital content creators looking to take the next step in their photography/videography careers. The average price for a used camera in excellent condition is around $1250.
Two of the signature features of this Sony mirrorless camera are its lightning-fast autofocus and the in-body image stabilization technology. The AF is impressive and the new and improved subject tracking (along with its 11.0 frames per second continuous shooting) makes it a good option for sports, action, and wildlife photography. The stabilization boosts the camera's low-light performance and eliminates camera shake when shooting handheld.
Speaking of video, the a6600 boasts 4K video capabilities, and the microphone and headphone ports allow you to better monitor audio levels when recording. My biggest complaint with this camera is the large crop factor applied to 4K/30p footage.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony mirrorless camera:
Learn More:
Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha A7S III
For filmmakers and videographers, the best Sony camera in 2023 is the Sony Alpha a7S III. It was released in 2020 and is specifically designed to work in low-light situations and shoot video. A 12.1-megapixel Full-Frame sensor and a sophisticated Bionz XR image processing engine are at its core.
The pair work together to deliver stunning results and make it one of the fastest mirrorless cameras on the market. Moreover, they allow the camera to film 4K/60p video for up to an hour without overheating. You can also record 4K slow-motion footage directly in-camera by switching the frame rate to 120p.
A few more killer features of this camera are the fully-articulated screen, 5-axis in-body image stabilization, and dual memory card slots. The biggest downfall of the a7S III is that its 12MP still images have a lower resolution than most new cameras. The going rate for a used a7S III is a little under $3000.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony mirrorless camera:
Still not sure if the a7S III is right for you? The video above by MPB will help!
Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison: Sony Alpha 1
Last but not least, we have the flagship Sony Alpha 1. It hit stores in 2021 and is arguably the finest mirrorless camera ever made. It is built for professionals, and its performance is off the charts for both videos and still shooting alike. To call one of these your own, you will have to cough up roughly $5000.
Without a doubt, the headlining feature of the Sony a1 is its 8K video capabilities. It’s one of only a handful of cameras worldwide that records 8K footage, most of which are high-end cinema cameras. Also, the video autofocus is in a league of its own and is the best we have ever seen from a mirrorless camera.
More drool-worthy features of this camera include huge 50.1-megapixel still photos, a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, and tons of customizable buttons/dials. If you can afford it, I promise you won’t be disappointed with the results!
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this Sony mirrorless camera:
Final Thoughts on This Sony Mirrorless Camera Comparison
Photo by seb_ra via iStock
I hope you have enjoyed this Sony mirrorless camera comparison and that it has helped you in your search for a new camera. If you aren’t sold on any of the cameras above, here are a few more fantastic Sony cameras to consider that are currently in stock at MPB!