Overview of Sony system cameras

Professional DSLRs were once divided into two segments – reportage and studio. Sony has decided to divide the elder Alpha “system” cameras in exactly the same way. In many ways similar, they differ greatly in performance and shooting quality.

Sony Alpha A7S

Sony Alpha A7S

12,2 mP 3″ 98 900 Dollars.

The most expensive camera in our selection is the Alpha A7S, a special videographic version of full-frame mirrorless Sony cameras. Photographers should consider one of its more affordable counterparts, if only because its sensor resolution is limited to 12 megapixels. Low resolution here is the key to the camera’s excellent ability to collect light in individual sensor cells. In video mode at 409,600 ISO, the A7S is able to really turn night into day without much loss of image detail.

Almost full frame area is used for capturing video with fair pixel-by-pixel signal readout. It excludes appearance of different distortions. The particularity which is necessary to consider for videographers, who are going to work with HD video: A7S is not able to save 4K video clips to a memory card, as it is done, say, Panasonic DMC-GH4. 3840×2160 pixels with 4:2:2 color sub-sampling can be recorded only if output via HDMI to an external recorder. In standalone mode, the unit reads data from the sensor in full, digitizes it, but then reduces it to Full HD format. The result is the video with a maximum bitrate of 50 MB s with AVCHD encoding.

Capable of using the special S-Log2 gamma for recording. Thanks to it the dynamic range of the video material is extended up to 1300%, but the clips in this case need to be properly color-corrected. Optional attachment with XLR connectors makes it possible to connect the camera to specialized audio recording devices. A variety of assistive photography tools are available to help the operator. Contrast-boundary illumination with customizable parameters focus-picking will facilitate manual focus and precise control of the DOF. A zebra pattern, by outlining the areas outside the dynamic range on the screen, can help you set the exposure, control glare and adjust the lighting. A7S supports timecode recording for subsequent multi-camera video synchronization in editing. For different shooting conditions or different projects, brightness, gamma and color profiles are available, as well as a number of other tools, which of course are present in full.

With this camera Sony offers a new, specially designed for videographers FE 28-135 F4 Power Zoom. Its distinctive features – built-in compendium, gear control rings to transfer rotation from automatic control systems of iris, zoom and focus, and colossal in comparison with the camera, of course dimensions. And it has its own zoom drive. The zoom speed can be adjusted with the lever on the lens body itself.

Sony Alpha A7/A7R

Sony Alpha A7

Sony Alpha A7R

24.3MP 36.3MP 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 3″ 59 900 Dollars./ 83 900 Dollars.

Professional DSLRs were once divided into two segments – reportage and studio. Sony decided to divide the older Alpha system cameras in the same way. Similar in many ways, they differ greatly in performance and shooting quality.

A7 has fewer photo detectors on the sensor substrate, which has increased the capacity of individual cells, and therefore the effective light sensitivity. The camera has a fast hybrid autofocus with 117 active points, is able to shoot 5 frames per second in a series with an active focus tracking mode. For some reason, the camera body was not made entirely of metal: the front panel is made of composite polymer. But all the gaps between the parts of the body and the buttons, as well as wheels and levers are protected from the penetration of dust and moisture. The front shutter curtain is absent – its function is performed by a controlled by the electronics forced release of charge from the cells before exposure. Extending the shutter speed range of the flash up to 1/250 sec. At the same time, when you press the shutter button, camera shake is minimized, and the shutter pops quieter. All these features make the A7 a segment of cameras more suitable for shooting sports and reportage, where it is often important to get the shot regardless of conditions, to catch the right moment without careful preparation, perhaps at the cost of small losses in quality of the result.

A7R, on the contrary, fully geared for scenes where you can take your time to carefully select parameters, composition, light pattern. All for the sake of achieving a perfect shot, with the appropriate electronics to take care of the technical quality. Focus speed is not so important here, so the contrast AF with 25 hot sharpening zones should be enough for your eyes.

A high-resolution sensor should provide all the details of the scene in a picture, the surface of which eliminated a low-pass filter that smoothes the image. Additionally on improvement of details, suppression of noise and color rendition the new two-core processor Bionz X works. It is equipped with algorithms for multi-zone clarity enhancement and diffraction reduction. It’s clear that landscape photographers, who often use small apertures where diffraction becomes a negative influence to achieve maximum depth of field, will appreciate this software tool.

Unlike the A7, the A7R is fully “dressed” in magnesium armor. In both cameras required by demanding photographers operational control is provided by the possibility of quick access to all the most important settings with hardware – buttons, wheels, levers, made on the body. Some of them can be reprogrammed according to user preferences. There is an opinion that a serious photographer can not do without the viewfinder, so the rotary 3-inch display with a resolution of 1.23 million pixels in this camera is supplemented by an eyepiece. The viewfinder, of course, is electronic, but it shows an excellent resolution of 1024×768 pixels.

Top-of-the-range mirrorless cameras use as their base the Sony E-system, used in the NEX. Accordingly, all the mirror-less optics already manufactured by now are compatible with the new device, with the only reservation that only the APS-C format portion of the sensor will be used for shooting rounded black edges are cropped automatically . Without reservations, FE-series optics are compatible with the cameras. Since the release of the new cameras, it has added 5 lenses, not counting the videographic FE 28-135 F4 Power Zoom. Quite a working set including a 16-35mm wide angle zoom, 28-70mm standard zoom, and a 70-200mm TV. The 35 and 55 mm lenses partially satisfy photographers’ needs for fast optics. You can expand your arsenal by adding Sony/Minolta A lenses, but you’ll have to install them with fairly bulky and expensive adapters.

Specifications:

	Manufacturer	Sony
Model	Sony A7R
Medium price*	new
Sensor	Type	CMOS
Size, mm	35,9 x 24
Effective pixels, millions	36,3
Lens, focusing	Bayonet compatible optics	Sony E FE
Digital zoom, magnification	1,5x
Image stabilization***	–
Manual	+
Photography	ISO** sensitivity	100-25600
Shutter speed range, sec	30-1/8000
Scene programs	9
Mode A	+
Mode S	+
Mode M	+
Manual white balance	+
Guide number of built-in flash, m	–
Connecting an external flash	Hot-shoe
Image format 3:2	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Shooting speed frames per burst	4 fps
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Sound Video	+
Sound Commentary	–
Recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousand pixels	1230
Viewfinder****	je
Memory cards	MS PRO, PRO-HG Duo/SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power*****	Li-ion 350
Dimensions, mm	127x94x48
Weight, g	340
Announcement date	16.10.2013

Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

24.3MP 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 3″ 41 000 Dollars.

Despite its long time on the market, the NEX-7 has still not lost its relevance. The camera was originally built for serious, thoughtful photography with extensive manual control capabilities. Actually, this, and even the advanced for its time stuffing put the device on a par with the most functional and powerful “system” compacts.

Owners of “system” cameras Sony A and accessories to them NEX-7 may be attracted by the presence of a full-fledged branded “hot shoe” of the old type. It can accommodate older, but no less great Alpha flashes without additional adapters. In case of need to illuminate the object in the absence of an external blitz, the camera provides a built-in pop-up flash.

The hybrid autofocus system was not yet common among system cameras when the camera was introduced, but the NEX-7 reliably and quickly captures the contrast method of focus. Autofocus is flexible enough to control and has useful features like tracking a pre-selected subject until the shutter is released. Delay between button press and shutter release is minimized here by replacing the mechanical front curtain with an electronic one. The camera manages to capture 14 RAW images at 10 fps and generally stands out even with today’s NEX and A system cameras of the lower and mid-range classes for their higher responsiveness and performance.

Specifications:

	Producer	Sony
Model	NEX-7
Medium price*	1300
Sensor	Type	CMOS
Size, mm	23,5×15,6
Effective pixels, millions	24,3
Lens, focus	Mount compatible optics	Sony E
Digital zoom, magnification	–
Image stabilization***	–
Manual	+
Photo Shooting	ISO** ISO sensitivity	100-16000
Shutter speed range, sec	30-1/4000
Scene programs	8
Mode A	+
S-mode	+
M Mode	+
Manual white balance	+
Leading number of built-in flash, m	6
Connecting an external flash	Hot-shoe
3:2 image format	+
16:9 aspect ratio	+
RAW	+
Shooting speed frames per burst	10 fps 14 RAW
Video and sound	Video, pixels	1920×1080@60p
Video sound	+
Sound Commentary	–
Voice recorder	–
Camera	LCD monitor, inches	3,0
LCD monitor resolution, thousand pixels	922
Viewfinder****	je
Memory cards	MS PRO, PRO-HG Duo/SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power *****	Li-ion 430
Dimensions, mm	120x67x43
Weight, g	291
Announcement Date	24.08.2011

Sony A6000

Sony A6000

24.3MP 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 3″ 34 000 Dollars.

Sony A6000 – example of technical sophistication of amateur segment cameras by adding maximum functions. The built-in viewfinder is small, but its OLED matrix offers 1.5 million pixels. pixels. Next to the eyepiece is a proximity sensor that automatically switches between display and viewfinder. However, modern amateur photographers would rather compose their shots and navigate menus on the 3-inch screen with a tilt-adjustable mechanism. The camera offers different versions of the software interface for users with different levels of training and different needs, and therefore will be available to beginners, without neglecting the needs of experienced amateur photographers. For the latter, among other things, there are 2 wheels and 6 function keys on which you can assign various settings from a list of 47 items.

Hybrid autofocus, rarely seen in the younger models, is firmly entrenched in the middle segment. As a representative of this category of photographic equipment, the A6000 is naturally equipped with a phase difference sensor. They are distributed over almost the entire frame area, and there are 179 pairs in total. The Bionz X processor, borrowed from the A7, provides the speed required for continuous autofocus at 11fps.

A6000 has built-in Wi-Fi, augmented with NFC chip. The functionality of the camera can be expanded by software modules that can be purchased and downloaded in the proprietary PlayMemories store, directly through the interface of the device.

Sony A5000/A5100

Sony A5000

Sony A5100

20.1 Megapixel 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ 3″ 18,700 Dollars.

24.3 Megapixel 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ 3″ 29 900 Dollars.

The A5000 presented at the beginning of this year was disappointing, as compared to the previous models it seemed to be a step back in terms of performance and functionality. The new A5100 is clearly destined to win back the position it gave up.

Physically the models are very similar, except that the imitation of perforated smooth leather has been replaced by the reproduction of natural textured leather with wrinkles, and a couple of buttons have changed their location. The accessory connector or “hot shoe” of the camera did not return. The A5100, like the A5000, has a built-in flash that retracts completely into the body. Considerable improvement has been made to the new screen. The resolution of the three-inch panel with a 16:9 ratio increased from 461 to 921 thousand dots. It can still swivel upward 180 degrees, but now also responds to touch.

The sensor has grown in resolution and is also used to determine sharpness not only by contrast, but also by phase difference additional sensors are distributed over 92% of the frame . It allows you to focus on any subject in the scene without having to correct the crop at a later time. In particular, it makes shooting with a tripod much easier. Both cameras use the Bionz X processor, but the A5100 uses it more efficiently. The range of light sensitivities available increased considerably, with continuous shooting speeds increasing by a third. The most significant increase in functionality is seen in the video recording. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine an amateur being able to effectively handle the toolkit on offer. A5100 supports full quality video stream output via HDMI, Full HD and 720p video recording to card in parallel, zebra on-screen display during shooting and a number of other specific videographic features.

At the same time the creators of the camera clearly intended that the user A5100 will operate with the concepts of “bright”, “dark”, “I want to blur the background” or “I want everything clear” rather than photographic terms, so for creative photography in the camera provided a shell Photo Creativity, which allows you to manage the settings without going into technical subtleties. A set of more sophisticated shooting tools is available, but it won’t be very comfortable to use. The A5100, as well as the A5000, has a Wi-Fi module with full functionality. Interaction with the Sony PlayMemories app store is also supported.

The Sony QX1

Sony QX1

20.4 Megapixel 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6 PZ – 19,990 Dollars.

The most unexpected novelty of autumn 2014 in the segment of “system” cameras – Sony QX1. Photographic attachments to smartphones we have already seen in all possible variations: a mid-level compact, an ultra-zoom and a camera with non-removable optics mid-level. The mirrorless APS-C format attachment is clearly something new.

The basic scheme for turning a camera into an add-on for Sony’s smart phones has already been worked out. The display, almost all controls and unnecessary details of the body are removed from the camera. Dimensions QX1 enough to hold a fairly large battery, motherboard with a sensor and an empty space equal in depth to the rear working distance of the optics Sony E. To save photos and videos there is a slot for micro SD/MS Micro cards. Despite the fact that almost all footage can be immediately transferred to the memory of the paired mobile device, the card is still needed the primary saving in any case goes to it, and the phone gets copies . In addition, it is the first QX camera that can shoot in RAW. Because of their large volume and poor support of mobile applications they are not transferred to the phone – they can be transferred to a computer the old-fashioned way, through a USB cable, or by means of a card reader.

QX1 is – like all comparable devices – completely cell phone controlled. A special application available for Google Android and Apple iOS gives you access to all camera functions – menus, settings, viewfinder. Its interface is borrowed entirely from Alpha and NEX cameras, which have touch control. The new camera has a very useful detail: the frame for mounting on the phone now has a swivel mechanism. So the display can rotate relative to the camera. For those really tricky shots, you can take the QX1 off your phone, hold it in your other hand and then point it however and wherever you like: since it communicates wirelessly over Wi-Fi, you don’t need to be in direct contact with each other.

QX1 fully reproduces the features and functionality of the Sony A5000 in photographic terms. They even managed to provide space for a pop-up flash with a guide number of 4. The idea of photographic adapters for phones is great in itself, and there might well be a future for such devices – at least in the amateur segment. But in this particular case the final implementation plays a big role. With the “compact” QX models in particular, there were problems with the speed of reaction to user actions.