Best Sony Alpha Camera
Hello people, how has your week been? I hope it has been great. I am following up from the previous post of the value for money analysis of the top 5 Nikon cameras. I am here with the value for money analysis of the top 5 cameras for the Nikon brand, I hope you enjoy it.
The shortlisted candidates for the Sony brand are the Sony Alpha 99 II, Sony Alpha 7R II, Sony Alpha 7S II, Sony Alpha 7II, Sony Alpha 7 E Mount camera. Below is a brief description of the cameras and my preferred choice based on the value for money analysis.
Sony Alpha 99 II Review
Sony Alpha 99 II is Sony’s flagship camera, boasting an incredible 42.4MP Exmor R-black illuminated CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X Image processor. The camera also comes with a front end LSI to obtain faster performance, create outstanding images at expanded sensitivities of up to 102400 and record UHD 4K video.
When it comes to autofocus system, the Sony Alpha 99 II has a superb hybrid face detection autofocus system that combines a 79 point dedicated AF sensor with a 399 point on chip focus system for accurate focusing in all conditions. To bolster its image taking capabilities, the Sony Alpha 99 II comes with a 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization system which is able to compensate for about 4.5 stops of shutter speed for sharper images.
When it comes to video capabilities, Sony Alpha 99 II comes with a new S&Q Motion setting which permits the capture of Full HD video at a variety of frame rates ranging from 1-120 fps.
The design of the camera allows for both a 0.5″ 2.36m-dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF and a 3.0″ 1,228.8k-dot rear LCD that can tilt upwards 134° and downwards 180° as well as rotate 270° for working in a variety of positions.
When it comes to connectivity, the camera offers built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth which expands the cameras operability and it can output 14-bit raw files.
Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.
Overview of the Sony Alpha 99
- 42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
- 0.5″ 2.36M-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log3 Gamma
- S&Q Motion in Full HD from 1-120 fps
- Hybrid Phase Detection AF System
- ISO 102400 and 12 fps Shooting with AF
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- 3.0″ 1,228.8k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- Built-In Wi-Fi & NFC; 14-Bit Raw Output
Value for Money Analysis of Sony Alpha 99 II
Efficiency: The Canon EOS 5DMark III is super-efficient with the superb hybrid face detection autofocus system system and BIONZ X Image processor & Front End LSI which ensures that processing speed and power are increased to promote overall performance and response from all aspects of the camera.
Final verdict on Efficiency: 5/5.
Effectiveness: With the 42MP full frame CMOS sensor, there is no doubt of the quality of images produced by the Sony alpha a99 II. The camera is in a league of its own and the inbuilt 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization system makes photos crisp clear and sharp.
Final verdict on effectiveness: 5/5.
Economy: Coming to the economy aspect of it, the camera is on the high side, with the body only in the 8/10 price group when compared with other products in this list. Quick reminder though, the camera is meant for professional photographers or people like me who are looking to go into photography. Even with this, it is still a bit high as we have to purchase lenses to go with the body.
Final verdict on economy: 2/5
Overall verdict: [star rating=”4″]
>> Click here to buy Sony Alpha 99 II on Amazon
Sony Alpha 7R II Review
Sony Alpha 7R II is another top notch professional camera. It is a mirrorless camera that boasts a 42 MP full frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor. Like the flagship Sony Alpha a99 II, the Sony Alpha 7R II also comes with a Bionz X image processor which ensures an improved processing speed. Its ability to capture top of the mark pictures cant be faulted because like the Sony Alpha a99 II there is also an inbuilt five axis steadyshot Inside image stabilization which guarantees minimal motion blur caused by movement of the subject or by extreme movement of the camera.
The AF system is also in a league of its own along side the Sony Flagship camera, Sony Alpha a99 II. It has a 399 phase detect point ad 25 contrast detect points for a speedy fast hybrid AF system which will offer extremely accurate tracking. The phase-detection points even extend to A-mount lenses when used with the LA-EA1 and LA-EA3 adapter.
When it comes to video capabilities, the Sony Alpha a77 supports internal UHD 4K 3840 x 2160p recording at 30 or 24 fps with the XAVC S format at 100 Mbps. Full HD 1920 x 1080p is still readily available at up to 60 fps and HD 1280 x 720p is possible at up to 120 fps.
When it comes to connectivity, the Sony Alpha 7R II comes packed with Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC for remote operation and transfer of images to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
As usual, before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.
Overview of the Sony Alpha 7R II
- 42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log2 Gamma
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- 399 Phase-Detect AF Points & 5 fps Burst
- 0.5″ 2.36M-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- 3.0″ 1,228.8k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- ISO 102,400 and Silent Shutter Mode
- Durable Reduced-Vibration Shutter Design
- Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
Value for Money Analysis OF Sony Alpha 7R II
Efficiency: The 42MP full frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor and hybrid face detection autofocus system, leaves no doubt about its quality. The camera is able to produce top notch quality photos at accelerated speed due to its BIONZ image processor.
Final verdict on efficiency is 5/5
Effectiveness: The hybrid autofocus system helps to lock onto your subjects quickly and without hesitation thanks to the revamped Fast Hybrid AF packed into the Sony Alpha7R II. It uses 399 on-sensor phase-detect AF points with 45% coverage along with 25 contrast-detect AF points in order to improve the speed, accuracy and tracking performance of the system low pass filter.
Final Verdict on effectiveness: 5/5
Economy: The Sony Alpha 7R II is in the 2/10 price group. This is adequately priced for its features and is also within my budget. For this reason, I would give it a 5.
Final verdict on economy: 5/5
Overall verdict: [star rating=”5″]
>>Click here to buy Sony Alpha 7R II on Amazon
Sony Alpha 7S II Review
Sony Alpha 7S II is another leading mirrorless camera. It features a 12 MP full frame Exmor CMOS sensor with a BIONZ X image processor. Even though the MP count is considerably lower than the other Sony Mirrorless cameras, the Sony Alpha 7S II still holds its own as it works hand in hand with the BIONZ X image processor to enable an expansive dynamic range with minimal noise and notable sensitivity from ISO 100-102400, which is further expandable to ISO 50-409600.
The sensor enables efficient light gathering as it features a new generation RGB color filter array, as wells as gapless on chip design.
When it comes to video capabilities, the Sony Alpha 7S II enables internal recording of UHD 4 K movies in multiple frames up to 30fps and based on the 12.2MP resolution, full pixel readout is possible that is void of pixel binning for higher quality imagery with reduced moiré and aliasing.
The Sony Alpha 7S II incorporates a high 0.78x-magnification Tru-Finder OLED electronic viewfinder. With a resolution of 2.36-million dots and a Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating, this finder benefits working in a variety of lighting conditions and is capable of previewing exposure and settings adjustments prior to recording. It also avails a rear 3.0 1,228,800-dot LCD screen. When it comes to connectivity, the Sony Alpha 7S II has a built in WI-FI connectivity with NFC
Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.
Overview of the Sony Alpha 7S II
- 12.2MP Full-Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- Internal UHD 4K30 & 1080p120 Recording
- S-Log3 Gamma and Display Assist Function
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- 0.5″ 2.36m-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- 3.0″ 1,228,800-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- Up to 5 fps Shooting and ISO 409600
- Fast Intelligent AF, 169 AF Points
- Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
Value for Money Analysis OF Sony Alpha 7S II
Efficiency: The Sony Alpha 7S II is pretty efficient at what it does, but due to the lower MP count, I might have to downgrade its efficient rating to a 4.
Final verdict on efficiency is 4/5
Effectiveness: The Sony Alpha 7SII has a fast intelligent AF with 169 AF points. This is not up to par with the 2 cameras treated earlier as those cameras avail a hybrid autofocus system.
Final verdict on effectiveness is 3/5
Economy: The Sony Alpha 7S II is pretty pricey in the 5/10 price group. As far as I am concerned, the features are not commensurate with the price and I would have to downgrade it to a 2.
Final verdict on economy: 2/5
Overall verdict: [star rating=”3″]
>>Click here to buy Sony Alpha 7S II on Amazon
Sony Alpha 7II Review
Sony Alpha 7II is a 24.3MP full frame Exmor CMOS sensor mirrorless camera. The Sony Alpha 7II camera with its 24.3 megapixel sensor enables high resolution images and low light effectiveness with its standard ISO sensitivity range of 100 – 25600. It is also equipped with a state of the art BIONZ X image processor which ensures that images are processed faster and operation speed is improved. In addition to this, the Sony Alpha 7II E mount has a front end LSI which improves the early stages of image processing resulting in more natural details and richer tones. The sony Alpha 7II like its successors has 5 axis steadyshot insde stabilization which ensures that images come out sharper.
The Sony Alpha 7II also has an enhanced fast hybrid AF system. It utilizes a 117 phase detection and 25 contrast-detection autofocus points with a wide area of coverage, the a7 II can smoothly and quickly track fast-moving subjects throughout the frame.
When it comes to video capability, a7 II now has access to the high-bit-rate XAVC S format with 60p, 30p, and 24p recording options, all at 50 Mbps. The look of movies can also be adjusted with picture profiles, including the addition of the S-Log2 gamma setting with a dynamic range approximately 1,300% of the standard sRGB spectrum. Timecode and user bit settings are available as well as clean HDMI output for a variety of recording options.
Overview of the Sony Alpha 7II
- 24.3MP Full-Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- Enhanced Fast Hybrid AF and 5 fps Burst
- Full HD XAVC S Video and S-Log2 Gamma
- 3.0″ 1,228.8k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- XGA 2.36M-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- Weather-Resistant Magnesium Alloy Body
- Refined Grip & Robust Lens Mount
- Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
Value for Money Analysis of Sony Alpha 7II
Efficiency: The BIONZ X image processor and 5 Axis steadyshot INSIDE stabilization ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sony Alpha 7 II.
Final verdict on efficiency is 4/5
Effectiveness: As said earlier, the BIONZ X image processor and 5 Axis steadyshot INSIDE stabilization ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sony Alpha 7 II. Also, the enhanced hybrid AF which optimizes for both speed and accuracy with a enhanced algorithm that improves by about 30% when compared to previous generations.
Final verdict on effectiveness is 5/5
Economy: The Sony Alpha 7II is adequately priced and falls within the 2/10 price group when compared with other cameras in this list. This meets my budget, so amma give it a 5/5 rating for economy.
Final verdict on economy is 5/5
Overall verdict: [star rating=”5″]
>>Click here to buy Sony Alpha 7II on Amazon
Sony Alpha 7 Review
Sony Alpha 7 is a mirrorless camera with a full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor into an E-mount body thus providing the light gathering capability and detail-rich imaging of a full-frame sensor with a compact, lightweight and versatile mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. The camera also has an ISO sensitivity range of 100 – 25600 and a BIONX X image processor which offers fast processing and operation speeds such as 5fps burst shooting and front end LSI which improves the early stages of image processing resulting in more natural details and richer tones.
Coming to its autofocusing capacity, the Sony Alpha 7 has an hybrid Autofocus system which combines a 117-point phase-detection AF system with a 25-point contrast-detection system for high speed and accuracy. Flexible spot focus areas in addition to multipoint, center-weighted, and zone focusing contribute to its functionality and manual focus assist can be optimized for full-frame or APS-C-format shooting zones. New Eye AF Control provides highly precise eye-detection for shots that place the focus directly on the subject’s eye, even when they are partially turned away.
When it comes to video capabilities, the Sony Alpha 7E supports full HD 1080p video capture with 24p/60i/60p frame rates in both AVCHD and MP4 Codecs. Uncompressed video can be recorded off-camera via an HDMI connection, and both built-in and external stereo recording is available. HDMI and wireless output allows for viewing of still images on ultra HD 4K television.
Before we assess this camera based on value for money, let’s take a brief overview of the camera.
Overview of the Sony Alpha 7
- 24.3MP Full Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- Direct Compatibility with E-mount Lenses
- 3.0″ Tiltable TFT LCD with 921.6K-Dots
- 2.4M-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- Full 1080/60p with Uncompressed Output
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus; 5 fps Burst Rate
- Built-In Wi-Fi and NFC
- Multi-Interface Shoe
- Includes FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Value for Money Analysis of Sony Alpha 7
Efficiency: The Sony Alpha 7 is well known for its efficiency, with a state of the art BIONX X image processor which improves processing speed and output. Also coupled with the front end LSI (Large Scale Integration), picture quality is guaranteed.
Final verdict on efficiency is 4/5
Effectiveness: The Sony Alpha 7 is very effective in taking crisp clear pictures, this is aided by the fast hybrid autofocus system. Also the New eye AF control provides highly precise eye-detection for shots that place the focus directly on the subject’s eye, even when they are partially turned away.
Final verdict on effectiveness is 4/5
Economy: The Sony Alpha 7 is also in the 2/10 price group when compared with other cameras in this list. This is pretty cheap considering the many features it is packed with. For this reason, the Sony Alpha 7 is definitely getting a 5/5
Final verdict on economy is 5/5
Overall verdict: [star rating=”4.33″]
>>Click here to buy Sony Alpha 7 on Amazon
The Winner:
The winner based on my personal preference is Sony Alpha 7R II . Note, this might not be the best for you based on your preference or reason for purchasing the camera, but for me, the Sony Alpha 7R II moves to the final round.
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