Your Ultimate Sony Camera Buying Guide: What Is the Best Choice?

In this review and buying guide of Sony cameras, we aim to provide a brief overview of Sony's main cameras in production and on sale.

Our goal is to give you a comprehensive understanding of Sony cameras, helping you find the best Sony camera that suits your needs!

In this article, you will learn:

1. What Are the Naming Conventions for Sony Mirrorless Cameras?
2. What Sony Mirrorless Cameras Are Worth Buying?
3. Sony Fixed Lens Digital Cameras You Should Consider
4. Final Thoughts About Buying Sony Cameras

What Are the Naming Conventions for Sony Mirrorless Cameras?

In 2021, Sony quietly discontinued its entire lineup of DSLR cameras. Once a leading player in the industry, Sony may become the first manufacturer to abandon DSLR cameras completely.

Sony not only removed all its A-mount cameras from its website but third-party retailers like B&H now list these cameras as "no longer available."

This means that if you're looking to buy a Sony interchangeable lens camera right now, your only option is to purchase a Sony mirrorless camera.

Sony mirrorless cameras belong to the Alpha series, which means you can refer to all Sony mirrorless models as Sony Alpha cameras.

Alpha is a Greek letter, abbreviated as "α," also known as "Alpha" for convenience, or simply referred to as "A" by many photography enthusiasts.

Therefore, a Sony mirrorless camera may have four different names, such as α7, Alpha7, A7, and ILCE7, all referring to the same camera.

What is ILCE? It stands for "Interchangeable Lens Camera with E-mount," indicating a camera that uses an E-mount for interchangeable lenses.

What Sony Mirrorless Cameras Are Worth Buying?

In Sony's standard Alpha mirrorless camera lineup, APS-C models are named in the format "A6X00," while full-frame mirrorless camera models start with A7, A9, or A1, roughly arranged in terms of quality as follows:

A6X00 < A7 < A9 < A1

This means that within Sony's standard mirrorless lineup, the A6X00 series is the entry-level, while the A1 series represents the highest-end Sony mirrorless cameras.

The VLOGCAM series, introduced by Sony after 2020, targets users who create short videos like Vlogs.

VLOGCAM mirrorless models start with ZV-E, with APS-C format products named "ZV-EXX" and full-frame cameras following the naming convention "ZV-EX". Similarly, full-frame cameras offer superior performance compared to APS-C format cameras.

1. A6X00 Series

The A6X00 series is the only remaining APS-C product line in Sony's traditional mirrorless camera lineup.

Within the A6X00 series, there are high, mid, and low-tier options, each with two to three generations of products:

• The first generation includes the high-end A6500, mid-range A6300, and entry-level A6000;
• The second generation comprises the high-end A6600, mid-range A6400, and entry-level A6100;
• Currently, only the high-end A6700 is available in the third generation.

This naming convention can be one of the most confusing in the camera product landscape. It's easy for beginners to mix up the hierarchy and the age of these A6X00 models.

Sony's practice of incrementing model numbers by 100 with each upgrade can lead to issues. For instance, the A6400 released in 2019 had no room for a future upgrade since the A6500 was launched back in 2016.

Here, we primarily focus on the A6400 and A6700, two APS-C mirrorless cameras from Sony.

The A6400 was introduced in January 2019 as a versatile APS-C mirrorless camera with excellent autofocus and high-quality 4K video capabilities.

While it was a well-rounded performer at launch, in recent years, newer offerings from other brands and even Sony's own ZV-E10, with similar performance but a lower price, have diminished the A6400's competitive edge, making it less cost-effective.

Released in July 2023, the A6700 is Sony's latest APS-C product and the most high-end APS-C camera they have ever produced.

Compared to its predecessors, the A6700 boasts upgrades in sensor and processor technology, enhancing pixel count, image quality, autofocus capabilities, and video performance. Its autofocus performance may be among the strongest in its price range, making it a versatile all-rounder.

Backed by Sony's extensive lens lineup, the A6700 stands out in the high-end APS-C mirrorless segment. If you enjoy both photography and videography and are looking to invest in a Sony APS-C mirrorless camera, the Sony A6700 is your best bet.

2. A7 Series

The A7 series, launched in 2013, is Sony's flagship lineup of full-frame mirrorless cameras and one of the most renowned product lines from Sony.

Under the A7 series, there are four branches denoted by "R," "S," "C," and no letter, each excelling in different aspects rather than representing different tiers like the A6X00 series.

In simple terms:

• R: High pixel count
• S: High sensitivity
• C: Compact size
• No letter: Standard

The naming convention for the A7 series follows the format "A7 + branch letter + Roman numeral generation," for example, the fifth generation of high-resolution products is denoted as A7R V.

An interesting exception that emerged in 2023 is the A7CR, combining the compact size feature with high pixel count, merging the characteristics of "C" and "R."

A7R Lineup: Image Quality Flagship

The R branch from Sony focuses on high resolution and image quality, with "R" standing for "Resolution." There are currently five generations of products in this line.

Notably, the first A7R, launched in 2013, already boasted 36.4 million pixels, surpassing many cameras available today.

The latest two iterations, A7R IV and A7 RV, have reached an impressive 61 million pixels, making them not only the highest resolution products in Sony's mirrorless lineup but also among the best in image quality in the entire industry.

The A7R V, while maintaining high resolution and image quality, also upgrades in autofocus, stabilization, and video capabilities:

• The autofocus employs AI-powered deep learning for faster and more accurate subject recognition.
• Stabilization reaches 8 levels, theoretically on par with Canon R5.
• Video specifications can reach up to 8K 25P, although there are issues like cropping and noticeable jello effects, limiting practicality.

The A7R V is ideal for landscape photographers, commercial portrait photographers, and other professionals who are in extremely high demand for image quality and pixel count.

A7S Lineup: Video Expert

The S branch specializes in video recording, with "S" standing for "Sensitivity." There are currently three generations of products. Sony officially dubs this branch as the "Video Expert," tailored exclusively for video shooting with a high level of professionalism.

The latest iteration, the Sony A7S III, released in July 2020, is one of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras for video shooting in the industry.

It excels in dynamic image quality, supporting up to 4K 120P video with a 4:2:2 10-bit option, making it a top choice for video enthusiasts and small video studios.

However, amateur hobbyists primarily interested in photography should consider other options since the A7S lineup focuses primarily on video capabilities, rather than still image capture.

A7 Lineup: Balanced Benchmark

This branch represents Sony's fundamental full-frame products without any specific letter designation. There are currently four generations of products.

Referred to as the "new benchmark for full-frame," the A7 lineup emphasizes overall balance, catering to both still photography and dynamic video needs without any major weaknesses.

With a relatively affordable price point, it has become one of Sony's most popular full-frame models in recent years, beloved by many amateur enthusiasts.

The latest iteration, Sony A7IV, released in October 2021, enhances pixel count, autofocus, and video functionalities while improving the touchscreen experience and introducing a new system menu, making it more powerful and comprehensive.

However, it still falls slightly short in continuous shooting and lacks improvements in screen display.

A7C Lineup: Compact and Portable

The C branch focuses on compactness and portability, with "C" standing for "Compact." This branch made its debut in September 2020.

The A7C II is optimized based on the configuration of the A7IV, offering a smaller body, higher autofocus capabilities, and more stable stabilization at a lower price compared to the A7IV, providing excellent value for money.

The A7CR combines the characteristics of "C" with those of "R" (Resolution), condensing the features of the A7R V while maintaining high image quality and pixel count highlights. However, compared to the A7R V, it removes 8K video capabilities and slightly weakens continuous shooting stabilization.

Overall, these two sony cameras focus on being lightweight and portable, offering a different form factor for potential users of the A7 IV and A7R V, albeit with adjusted prices and some feature changes.

3. A9 Series

The A9 series, launched by Sony in 2017, is known as the "Speed Machine" lineup, touted as the speed flagship, with three generations released so far.

These "Speed Machines" are a unique category of cameras known for their exceptional autofocus performance and lightning-fast burst speeds, enabling photographers to capture moments with precision.

They are commonly used by professional sports photographers, wildlife photographers, and photojournalists.

The iconic photos from the Donald Trump assassination attempt were captured using the Sony A9 III by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.

However, since these cameras prioritize autofocus and burst speed, their resolution and image quality performance usually aren't outstanding. Their video capabilities also may not be as professional-grade.

For example, the image quality of the A9 III doesn't match up to the A7R V, and the video isn't as good as the A7S III.

Therefore, despite being high-end, powerful, and expensive products, for hobbyists with diverse interests and subject matters, where the advantages don't align with their needs, the cost-effectiveness isn't great. Generally, we wouldn't recommend considering them.

Of course, if you're solely into capturing sports events or various wildlife scenes, then the A9 series is the way to go.

4. A1 Series

The A1 series represents the pinnacle of Sony camera manufacturing, being Sony's true flagship mirrorless series. There is only one generation of the A1 series currently, released in January 2021, representing Sony's pinnacle achievement for that year.

If you're looking to purchase the best camera from Sony, then the Sony A1 camera is your ultimate answer.

It combines aspects like pixel count, nearing the quality focus of the A7R IV, superior video capabilities compared to the video-centric A7S III, and surpassing burst speed autofocus found in the A9 II.

Other specifications such as viewfinding, user interface, storage, and stabilization are all configured to Sony's highest standards at that time.

Apart from inheriting the usual quirks of Sony camera screens, this camera is nearly flawless. Essentially, it's top-tier among the top-tier, elite among the elite, despite its hefty price tag.

5. VLOGCAM Series

The Sony VLOGCAM series all start with "ZV," and for the mirrorless cameras in this series, they add the letter "E," becoming "ZV-E," indicating a camera with an E-mount for interchangeable lenses.

In Sony's mirrorless lineup, models with "ZV-E" followed by a single digit are high-end full-frame cameras, while those with two digits are mid-range to entry-level APS-C format cameras.

VLOGCAM APS-C

Currently, there's only ZV-E10 in the VLOGCAM APS-C lineup, which has seen two iterations.

The first ZV-E10 was launched in July 2021, removing the electronic viewfinder that wasn't very useful for video shooting, providing a side-flip screen, improving the onboard microphone performance, and enhancing stabilization.

Additionally, it offers features like skin smoothing, one-click bokeh, vertical shooting, and external power bank charging.

The second iteration, ZV-E10 II, was released in July 2024. Compared to the first generation, this iteration stays true to its core focus on short video creation, updating with a new sensor and processor, longer battery life, higher video specs, and improved autofocus capabilities.

VLOGCAM Full-Frame

Sony's VLOGCAM full-frame lineup currently consists of the ZV-E1, launched in March 2023. The ZV-E1 boasts high-end specifications and performance.

Geared towards vlogging, the ZV-E1 targets online short video creators with a lower entry barrier, offering one-click cinematic settings, AI auto-framing, one-touch background blur, and view stabilization features.

It's essential to note that this is a camera focused on video, lacking a mechanical shutter, viewfinder, and with lower effective pixels, making it unsuitable for photography.

We recommend considering this Sony camera only if you intend to use it for vlogs or short videos.

Currently, if you're looking to purchase the best Sony camera for video, then the Sony ZV-E1 camera is the way to go.

Sony Fixed Lens Digital Cameras You Should Consider

Sony offers several series of fixed-lens cameras. Apart from the RX and VLOGCAM series worth considering, the other series are generally more entry-level products.

These Sony cameras ((excluding the RX and VLOGCAM series) are quite affordable, using sensors similar to those in smartphones.

The straight-out results may not be as good as newer smartphones, so it's generally not recommended unless you have a limited budget and specifically need optical zoom or telephoto capabilities.

1. Sony RX Series Compact Cameras

The Sony RX series comprises four lineups: RX0, RX100, RX10, and RX1, each with its own positioning.

RX0 Lineup

The RX0 is smaller than a fist and lighter than a small carton of milk. Not only that, it's waterproof, shockproof, and rugged.

At first glance, most people might think of action cameras like GoPro when they see the RX0, but Sony already has the FDR and HDR action camera series, and the RX0 isn't considered part of them.

Looking at the RX0 lineup itself, with a 24mm perspective and average stabilization, it doesn't quite fit the bill as an action camera.

This is an innovative lineup with a somewhat odd positioning, and its market response hasn't been very positive. The series released two generations of products in 2017 and 2019, but there hasn't been any news since then.

RX100 Lineup

In everyday life, most Sony RX cameras seen belong to the RX100 lineup. They feature a one-inch sensor and a zoom lens, compact and lightweight enough to easily fit into a pocket, representing the classic form of a point-and-shoot camera.

The latest generation is the seventh generation, the RX100 VII, released in 2019, boasting a 24-200mm zoom lens and industry-leading autofocus performance.

RX10 Lineup

The RX10 in the RX family is a hefty one, resembling a DSLR in appearance and weighing over a kilogram, equipped with a one-inch sensor and a large zoom lens.

The latest model in this lineup, the RX10 IV, released in 2019, features a 24-600mm lens with a 25x zoom ratio, allowing you to capture almost anything you desire with its extensive zoom range.

The 600mm telephoto is especially suitable for shooting wildlife, sports events, and concerts from a distance.

To achieve such a focal range with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, one would typically need two to three lenses, potentially doubling the weight. Therefore, for users with a significant telephoto needs, the RX10 lineup is quite suitable.

RX1 Lineup

The RX1 lineup represents the top-tier products in the RX series.

On one hand, the RX1 boasts a compact form similar to the RX100 lineup, easily fitting into a pocket, while also featuring a full-frame camera sensor that can rival high-end mirrorless cameras of the same period in terms of image quality.

Due to its outstanding image quality, the latest two generations of the RX1 lineup, like the A7R series, bear the "R" symbol symbolizing high image quality, with a correspondingly high price tag.

However, possibly due to its niche market appeal, the RX1 lineup has not seen any new product updates in six years and is likely discontinued.

2. VLOGCAM Series Compact Cameras

ZV1 Lineup

In May 2020, Sony launched the new "ZV" series, focusing on personal short video shooting like Vlogs. Unlike the previously mentioned "ZV-E," the ZV series here features fixed-lens cameras that cannot swap lenses, while the earlier ZV-E10 is a mirrorless camera allowing lens interchangeability.

The first-generation ZV-1, released in 2020, made significant improvements in autofocus, color rendition, and audio quality, catering well to video shooting needs.

It ditched the unnecessary viewfinder for video shooting and redesigned the camera screen to be more video-friendly.

The second generation ZV-1 (ZV-1 II) was launched in 2023, with the major upgrade being the change from the first generation's equivalent 24-70mm lens focal length to 18-50mm, providing a wider angle, particularly convenient for handheld selfies in Vlogs.

Furthermore, it features a fully functional touchscreen, a new user interface, and an upgraded Type-C interface, making it arguably the most suitable compact camera on the market for Vlog shooting.

There is also a variant called ZV-1F, released in October 2022, equipped with an equivalent 20mm fixed-focus lens and offered at a lower price point.

However, it employs less efficient focusing technology, eliminates the headphone jack, and does not support RAW image format, making its overall configuration somewhat lackluster. Therefore, we do not highly recommend this Sony compact camera variant.

Final Thoughts About Buying Sony Cameras

In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the mainstream Sony cameras currently available in the market.

We aim to explain the cameras in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. All recommendations in the article are based solely on our subjective opinions.

Due to space constraints, we couldn't list all excellent products, so the absence of a camera in the article does not mean it is not recommended.

If you are considering buying a Sony camera, in addition to reading our guide above about purchasing a Sony camera, there are two main aspects you should consider beforehand:

• Your Purpose for Buying a Camera: Are you inclined towards daily photography, vlog, landscape shots, or photojournalism? By combining your preferences and the features of the camera, you should be able to determine the direction for your camera purchase.
• Your Budget: Undoubtedly, more powerful cameras come with a higher price tag. So, considering your budget range should provide you with a good reference point for making your decision.

It can be said that there is no single best Sony camera for consumers. The best Sony camera for you is the one that suits your needs the most.

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Our guide on selecting Sony cameras concludes here. We hope this has been helpful to you.