It is indeed ten years since Sony launched the original Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R, and since then we’ve seen an avalanche of new A7 models and spin-offs. From being a pioneer in mirrorless camera development, Sony has gone on to dominate the full frame mirrorless camera market – though Canon, Nikon and Panasonic might have something to say about that.
Sony
Sony started out in digital imaging some years back with a raft of low-cost, compact 'snapshot' cameras and some more advanced models for enthusiasts. After a couple of false starts in the interchangeable lens camera market, it's now found a winning formula – and how – with its full frame Sony A7 series and A9 mirrorless cameras. These have made it a major force in the pro photography and video market.
Do lenses matter more than megapixels?
We assume that megapixels matter more than anything, and that a good lens on a high-resolution full frame camera will still be better than an excellent lens on a lower-resolution camera, right? Well, I thought I’d check.
Why are kit lenses getting worse?
It’s as if the makers of full frame mirrorless cameras have suddenly realized that there’s no point making mirrorless cameras smaller if the lenses are as big as ever. So there’s a trend now to make compact zooms for these cameras to cut down on the overall system size. That’s great. But in making these kit lenses compact, have they also made them next to useless?
The whole camera news cycle is broken: here’s why
Once upon a time (as all the best folk tales begin), camera launches were simple. A maker announced a camera, the secret was out, you could buy it straight away – or at least order it. Now, after years of reporting on camera launches and reviewing cameras, I do think that the whole camera product cycle has slowly but inexorably descended into chaos.
Sony launches a new 256GB V90 SD UHS-II TOUGH memory card
It’s the largest capacity yet in Sony’s SF-G TOUGH series, and joins existing 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions. But what makes it so tough, and does it matter?
Sony A7R V review
Verdict: 4.2 stars On paper, the Sony A7R V is just brilliant. Is there anything this camera can’t do? From 8K video, to nex-gen AI subject recognition to 10fps with a massive buffer to that class-leading 61MP sensor. But are some issues, for me. The first is that this is a high-res camera spearing off into different almost unrelated territories. The second is that Sony’s lazy physical design is unappealing and doesn’t play to this camera’s strengths. Yes, lazy.
Sony A7R II review
Verdict 4.5 stars This is a review of a camera launched seven years ago, but one that was until recently still on sale at crazy prices. The A7R II’s tech may be years old, but its 42MP sensor offers huge image quality, its 4K video is cropped but still useful, and its value for money – either new if you can still find it, or on the used market – is just out of this world.
Sony A6000 review
Verdict: 3 stars ★★★ It’s one of the cheapest mirrorless cameras on the market, yet it has a 24-megapixel sensor, an electronic viewfinder, 11fps shooting and advanced hybrid autofocus. So what’s the catch? The A6000 is an APS-C mirrorless camera first launched by Sony in February 2014. It has a rectangular ‘rangefinder’ style shape rather than […]