Sony Camera Buying Guide [2022]

Cameras
Written By Arnav Lande

Intro

Cameras come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so it can be hard to decide which one is the best for you! This guide will help you narrow down your options, and should provide a start in your own research on which camera you should buy. I currently use Sony Alpha cameras, so this guide is specifically meant for those looking to enter the Sony ecosystem. There are other brands out there (Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, etc.) that may serve you better, so research those instead if you are interested in another brand.

Do you need a camera?

While this may seem like a stupid question, many people have a perfectly good camera in their pocket: their smartphone. The improvements made in smartphones could be an argument that the traditional camera has become obsolete, and for many people that is the case. The ability to have a decent quality camera on you at all times is a highly appealing aspect of mobile phones. However, all cameras are tools, and their use cases differ. Before buying a dedicated camera, ask yourself:

  • What kind of content do I want to create?

    • Dedicated cameras can unlock more potential for you to create more diverse types of content. They offer better performance and more aesthetic decisions than mobile cameras. One important thing to remember is your audience. If you just want to make Instagram posts for friends or TikToks, you’re better off with your phone.

  • Is there something I want to do with a camera that I can’t do with my phone?

    • A dedicated camera can allow you to achieve things that are impossible in current mobile phones. Things like a shallow depth of field, better low-light performance, higher resolution, and zoom, are all examples of features not found in mobile cameras today.

  • Can I afford to invest hundreds to thousands of dollars into my camera?

    • Cameras can get quite expensive once you factor in the camera body, lenses, tripods, lights, storage, and any other equipment you may need. Be prepared to spend a premium on camera gear if you’re buying new items. However, you can still make a tight budget work by buying used equipment.

  • What opportunities become available to me after buying a dedicated camera?

    • Can you make money off of your camera work? This can help factor in the ROI of investing into a camera system. If you don’t plan on making any income from camera work, make sure you have another source of income as this hobby is expensive.

If you have thoroughly assessed these questions and still want to buy a camera, continue reading!

What is your budget?

Cameras are expensive, especially ones made by Sony, and your biggest limiting factor when buying a camera is your budget. Not all cameras are created equal, and higher-priced cameras may have features that you won’t see on more budget-oriented options. Be careful when setting a budget, as you will also have to factor in other accessories like lenses, attachments, and equipment. The biggest improvements in camera quality come from the lenses, not the body, so be sure to invest in a good lens.

sony alpha lineup explained

Sony has a weird, but strangely understandable, naming scheme. Their different ranges of cameras are split up into different series to better categorize their functions.

a5000 series

It exists but it really shouldn’t. Don’t consider anything from this lineup, your phone will likely perform better.

a6000 series

This is a good budget APS-C lineup from Sony. Every camera in the a6000 series features the same 24MP APS-C sensor, however, some key features like IBIS are added to newer releases. They are a great entry into the world of photo and videography. I personally started with a Sony a6000 back in 2014.

ZV series

A new addition to Sony’s mirrorless lineup, the ZV series feature the ZV-E10 and the ZV-1. Both cameras are very similar and are catered toward vloggers. They both have 24MP APS-C sensors and have some nice features like fast autofocus and a flip-out screen. The cameras can also be used for photography, but lack a viewfinder.

a7 series

A staple of Sony’s mirrorless cameras, the a7 is the most popular full-frame series from Sony. Many improvements over the years have made this series one of the best full-frame options for consumers. The a7 series is further broken down into three segments:

  • a7 series

    • A hybrid system, good for both photo and video, however, it does not excel in either.

    • a7 cameras have 24MP sensors, except for the a7IV which has been bumped up to 33MP

  • a7R series

    • A more photography-oriented system, it has higher megapixel sensors than any other Sony camera.

    • The latest a7RIV has a 62MP sensor, which means larger file sizes (but better resolution) than other a7 cameras

  • a7S Series

    • A more video-oriented system, it has features like better low-light performance, higher framerates, and 10-bit video

    • This comes at the cost of having a 12MP sensor, making it less than ideal for photography

a9 series

A sports and action-oriented series, the a9 is popular for being able to capture photos in bursts up to 20 fps. This is highly useful in situations where the subject may move very fast.

a1

This is the flagship camera from Sony, combining the high resolution of the a7R, video settings from the a7S, and burst of the a9. It also has faster autofocus than all of those cameras.

APs-c vs full-frame

You will often see a camera listed as APS-C or full-frame sensor. An APS-C sensor is 1.5x smaller than a full frame sensor, so it has less surface area to capture light. In a nutshell, full-frame is better than APS-C, but they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

aps-c:

  • Cheaper lenses and camera bodies

  • Smaller camera bodies, more compact

  • Worse low-light performance

  • Might not have as many features as full-frame counterparts

full-frame

  • Better low-light performance and dynamic range

  • Wider field of view (FOV) and shallower depth of field (DOF)

  • Bigger cameras

  • More expensive lenses and camera bodies

my recommendations

After reading all of the info above, hopefully you have some idea what features you would like in a camera. Here are some options in different price brackets:

$100 - $1000 (used cameras)

  • Sony a6000

    • An older APS-C camera, it is a good entry into cameras and is the cheapest Sony camera I would recommend

    • Lacks newer features like IBIS, Eye-AF in Continuous Shooting, 4K Video, mic input, and weather sealing

    • Good for photography of still subjects

  • Sony a7II

    • This is the cheapest full-frame option that is available

    • Good for almost all types of photography and 1080p video

    • Despite being old, it still takes quality images and has a decent autofocus

    • Lacks many “modern” features like Continuous Eye-AF, 4K Video, and dual SD card slots

  • Sony ZV-E10

    • Nearing the edge of this price bracket ($700 new), however, it is the newest APS-C camera from Sony

    • It’s more video-focused, built for vloggers (flip-out screen, built-in mics / mic input, active stabilization)

    • Has 4K Video and Real-Time Eye-AF, but no viewfinder

    • I would recommend this over the a6400 and a6600 if you are considering those. Take the money you save and invest in good lenses

$1000 - $1500

  • Sony a6600

    • Sony’s top-of-the-line APS-C camera

    • Features IBIS, mic input, and a bigger battery

    • Hard to recommend as a used a7III is better in every way for slightly more money, and the ZV-E10 is a better budget pick

  • Sony a7III (used)

    • One of the best hybrid cameras (good for photo/video)

    • Full-frame sensor, better in low-light and opens up the world of full-frame lenses

    • Fast autofocus, Continuous Eye-AF

$1500 - $2500

  • Sony a7C

    • Cute and compact (I have this camera)

    • Not comfortable for people with big hands

    • Newer color science and faster AF than the a7III, same 24MP sensor though

    • Has a flip-out screen but the viewfinder sucks

  • Sony a7IV

    • Newest Alpha series camera, new menu system

    • Not many improvements in photography compared to a7C/a7III, but has massive video upgrades

    • Features 4K 60 fps recording, Faster AF than a7C, 10-bit video, Active Stabilization

    • Has a new 33MP sensor, which means higher quality images (compared to 24MP on a7C/a7III)

  • Sony a7RIV (used)

    • 60.2 MEGAPIXELS (goated for photography, doesn’t matter for video)

    • Produces the highest quality photos out of any Sony camera

    • The rest is the same as the A7III

$2500 +

At this price range, every option will be industry-standard quality.

  • Sony A7SIII / FX3

    • Video-oriented camera, shoots 4K 60fps, S-Cinetone, and 10-bit video

    • Best Sony camera in low-light

    • Has the new menu system

  • Sony A9II

    • Sports/action oriented camera

    • Shoots very fast burst images (up to 20 FPS) and has a fast autofocus

    • The rest is the same as the a7III

  • Sony A1

    • Literally the best consumer camera Sony makes

    • 50.1MP sensor, 30 fps burst, fastest AF in a Sony camera

    • Shoots 8K 30fps Video

    • Very expensive

Conclusion

If you’re under a strict budget, your options may be limited to some older cameras. However, there are many good options to choose from at every price point. Not buying a camera is also okay! You can always rent a camera or borrow one as needed. And lastly don’t forget, lenses always matter more than the camera body.

Arnav Lande https://arnavlande.com
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