The best Sony camera in 2024

The range of best Sony cameras just keeps getting bigger as Sony expands its camera offerings to more types of photographers, from high-end professional photography and video production to travel photographers, content creators, and vloggers, there is a Sony camera for everyone.

Right at the top end, you’ve got the mighty but pricey sports-orientated Sony A9 Mark III with its mind-blowing global shutter, or the high-res megapixel monster in the Sony A7R IV. Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras are a favorite of mine for travel and content creation, and my current highlight is Sony’s compact but powerful Sony a6700.

Also, Sony’s latest ZV roster of cameras is aimed at vloggers and social media creators, I love these cameras super compact and simplified designs, meant to go anywhere and shoot great instantly usable footage with minimal effort. I’ve been especially impressed by the clever and affordable little Sony ZV-1F.

We’ve used, reviewed, and rated them all, and we think these are the best Sony cameras you can get right now.

The Quick List

The best Sony cameras in 2024

Best Sony camera overall

How do you better one of the best mirrorless cameras of all time? Well, that was the question that Sony had to answer with the A7 IV. The Sony A7 III was a force to be reckoned with, pushing camera technology ahead of anything else at the time and leaving every other brand to play catchup – one of the many reasons why I have still included the Sony A7 III on this list.

The Sony A7 IV should be Sony’s ‘vanilla’ A7 model, offering an entry point to full-frame mirrorless, covering all bases but not specializing in anything and leaving other Sony cameras to shine for different purposes. Sony has the A7R for resolution, the A7S for video, and the A7C for compactness. 

But there’s nothing ordinary about the Sony A7 IV. It technically supersedes the A7 III in almost every way, with more resolution, faster speed, better autofocus, and tracking algorithms, and it blurs the lines more than ever with Sony’s other A7 models. Overall it’s just an altogether more advanced camera which, I think, targets a higher-level audience than the A7 III. 

The A7 IV is still the perfect jack-of-all-trades camera for a huge variety of creators who don’t specialize in one area and instead want a camera that is just at home shooting a landscape as a portrait, or hybrid shooters who value high-resolution stills as much as quality 4K video. Although due to its higher price, and features, it is less accessible than before, and now it’s a much closer field with other brands.

Read more: Sony A7 IV review

Best Sony camera for resolution

The Sony A7R V was meant to just be Sony’s ‘resolution specialist’ but instead the engineers just decided to go ahead and put pretty much everything part they had around the studio into the camera. The A7R V is a technically overwhelming camera, with specs that will make you drool, although I am not sure everyone needs it.

The headliner is the 61MP sensor, which resolves beautiful detail when paired with professional lenses from Sony, Sigma, and others, which is perfect for portrait, landscape, or product photographers who might want to make big prints of their work. It also comes in handy with wildlife and sports shooting, as you can crop tighter into the action if your lens isn’t quite long enough. With a 10fps burst rate, it’s not the fastest camera, but it ain’t bad for pushing all those megapixels.

The A7R V might be technically overwhelming, but it is a little physically underwhelming. The camera body feels too small – or not tall enough in the body – and is a bit of a mismatch with the big pro lenses you’ll certainly be using with it. The controls follow a generic layout rather than being adapted to this camera’s strengths. You can customize the buttons endlessly to suit the way you work, but that takes time and also a good memory for which button you’ve customized to do what.

Paired with new AI subject recognition AF is remarkable, both for its rapid identification and acquisition and its very sticky ‘tracking’. There is also a much better in-body image stabilization system, which is pretty essential when even the slightest jitter looks much worse in 61MP.

The image quality is every bit as good as that of the A7R IV before it, and while Sony says it’s better, I am not sure how much of a worthwhile upgrade the A7R V is for anyone who already uses the prior model. For newcomers though who are after the most resolution possible in a full-frame camera for professional work then this is a must-have, although for the lofty price Sony charges, this camera really is only for dedicated professionals.

Read our full Sony A7R V review

Best Sony camera for sports

To quote from our review, “I am nothing short of gobsmacked, blown away, bowled over, and wowed by the Sony A9 III”. With the first-ever global shutter put in a consumer camera, it enables a top shutter speed of a mind-blowing 1/80,000 and up to 120 frames per second for RAW+JPEGS. Oh and the full 1/80,000-second global can also be used with flash!

The A9 III’s blistering speed is matched by Sony’s impressive AI autofocus performance, which can track more subjects than ever before as well as perform feats like human pose estimation, which knows what your subject is going to do before they do.

However, this camera is definitely only for those who need the very best in speeds, we are talking about the professional sports photographers of the world where every millisecond can mean missing the action or getting that back page shot.

If that is you, then what are you waiting for? But for everyone else, this camera is overkill to a huge degree, as most photographers will never need to tap into the speed this camera can accomplish. With one of the major pitfalls of all that speed is backup, storage, and culling unwanted photos, I would rather not try to manage that!

However, if my most damning criticism is that the A9 III is too fast to keep up with, surely that’s nothing but a mission accomplished for Sony! For professionals who need more than speed, however, the Sony A1 edges ahead of the A9 III as an all-around hybrid model, as it throws in 8K video and 50MP stills, although features some slightly less sophisticated autofocus tracking.

Read our full Sony A9 III review

Best Sony camera for travel

Sony’s a6xxx range has long been one of the most popular lineups of cameras for hybrid shooters who love to travel, or keen social media and YouTube content creators. The concept for the camera is a simple and pocketable camera APS-C camera, that also hides some impressive specs. The Sony a6700 represents a logical progression from its predecessor the a6600, upgrading components like autofocus and IBIS to Sony’s very latest. 

The a6700 maintains the compact rangefinder-style APS-C camera design from prior models but incorporates some notable and welcome improvements in button layout, however, I still found the camera was still a little cramped and hard to hold with larger full-frame lenses. If you are happy to settle for Sony’s smaller enthusiast lenses, then they are a much better balance for the a6700, although it can be a little confusing to tell the two format’s lenses apart.

But for hybrid stills and video shooters seeking a compact camera, importantly – with a viewfinder, the a6700 stands out as my preferred choice among Sony’s APS-C lineup, and a much better choice over Sony’s confusingly similar ZV range of cameras. 

The a6700 delivers an exceptional stills experience with an improved resolution, better tracking, and faster speeds. While its advancements in 4K video recording and integration of AI autofocus technology from Sony’s more powerful and pricey cameras means the a6700 is a little more powerful than its compact size might allude to.

The a6700 does have a higher starting price compared to the previous generation, and it is relatively more expensive than some competitors, which have done a lot to close the gap in recent releases. However, the a6700 offers a lot for the money and emerges as one of the top choices for travel photographers and content creators who prioritize professional features within a compact form factor.

Read more: Sony a6700 review

Best Sony camera on a budget

You might have spotted the next generation of the A7 III (A7 IV) at the top of this list, and while that camera is just about every aspect of the A7 III refined and tuned up with Sony’s latest tech, Sony made the A7 III so good that it is refusing to go away. And planned or not, this has certainly worked in Sony’s favor as it has perhaps unintentionally got the best value full-frame camera on its hands.

Headline features include a highly effective 696-point AF system, eye autofocus, and 4K video with a 5-axis image stabilization system that promises 5EV of compensation. There’s a 24.2MP back-illuminated image sensor, coupled with the latest generation of the image processor, and the two deliver excellent tonal range and make super-high ISO settings possible. All this might seem pedestrian today, but it was sit-up-and-take-notice stuff in 2019 when the camera was released. 

Handling is good, though some may find the body a little small when paired with pro lenses, although this does apply across the Alpha range. There are so many lenses to choose from though, with Sony’s own range being extensive, but its willingness to open its mount means there are incredible third-party options too.

It might not have the blinding speed of Sony’s top-flight A9 cameras or the ultra-high-resolution of the A7R V, but the Sony A7 III still manages to offer a compelling alternative to these pricier models delivering instead sheer value for money. For the top performance at a sensible price, I think it’s not only the best-priced Sony camera out there – but the best value full-frame camera full stop!

Read our full Sony A7 III review

The best Sony camera for video

The ZV-E1 is an excellent vlogging camera, it is small, compact, and lightweight while packing in some incredible features like an image-stabilized full-frame sensor, and subject recognition and auto tracking straight out of the Sony A7R V. The camera is also simple and intuitive to use, so is perfect for anyone wanting professional looking footage without knowing a huge amount about cameras. 

The video footage is excellent, sharp, clear, and with good color direct from the camera, so can be thrown up on social media right away. The latest autofocus tracking is just beyond good as well, especially for human subjects, it is incredibly fast and accurate, with its AI powers meaning you don’t have to worry about focus and can think about other aspects of filming. The real benefit of the ZV range is their built-in stereo microphones which offer audio that is far beyond the microphones in other hybrid cameras and rivals some of the best on-camera external microphones.

The ZV’s downfall is its stills, although that isn’t really the intended purpose of the ZV-E1 anyway. While still are the usual great quality expected from Sony, they are limited by the 12MP sensor. This is fine for uploading to social media for small screens, but the ability to crop into images or blow up to large sizes becomes limited.

The ZV-E1 is also tricky to use with larger Sony pro lenses, which with its full-frame sensor and skew towards serious content creators I would say these big G-Master lenses are the preferred lenses to use. The body is very compact, but this quickly becomes very front-heavy with any attached lens and is not easy to handhold, however the compact form pairs nicely with gimbals and rigs.

Read our full Sony ZV-E1 review

Best Sony vlogging camera

During my review, It was hard to look at the Sony ZV-1F in isolation and not immediately compare it to the latest camera phone sitting next to me. After using it for a week, it is hard not to think that I already own a device that does a lot of what this camera does. But crucially, the ZV-1F is just about superior in video and audio quality to the latest iPhones to make it worthwhile. 

There is also a lot to be said for having a dedicated camera over recording on a phone as it can create a more professional process. The ZV-1F can be a run-and-gun camera, you can mount it on a tripod, or just sit it flat on a surface and quickly get shooting. Especially as the ZV-1F has an articulating screen which makes vlogging so much easier than trying to use the rear cameras on a phone. With a more hard-wearing body, you also can toss it in a bag or pass it around among friends. 

Connectivity with the camera is also a strong point, it is easy enough to transfer images wirelessly (or wired) to a phone or tablet for editing and posting to social media right away. 

Do I think that it is a worthwhile purchase over recording on a phone? If you are a keen amateur vlogger or content creator, but you want to take a small step up then yes I do. This is a no-frills camera that will give you just what you need, a 4K video that is ready for social media, all contained in a tiny compact package, and at a reasonable price.

Read our full Sony ZV-1F review

Best Sony camera for content creation

The Sony ZV-E10 is first-and-foremost a vlogging and content creation camera aimed at video. It packs a large and well-performing internal microphone (with clip-on muffler) and offers decent 4K video, although you won’t find any oversampling or multiple codec recording options here. This camera is for anyone who is taking their video a little more seriously than recording on a phone but isn’t quite ready or willing to jump into a more professional level of videography.

The ZV-E10 is not going to win any awards on the photography front, where its specs are decent enough but completely mainstream, and if you are looking for something more hybrid, then the Sony A6000 is a better (although aging) option.

While Sony hasn’t moved its APS-C 4K video tech along much in recent years, the ZV-E10 is the manufacturer’s first APS-C body to feature an articulating touchscreen (which is vital for vlogging). 

Sony’s excellent autofocus, and an appealing price tag. It’s a shame that there is no in-body image stabilization, and the menus can’t be touch-controlled (a rather glaring omission for a vlogging camera), but for a very specific YouTube-era audience, this camera hits the nail on the head.

Read our full Sony ZV-E10 review

Best compact full frame Sony camera

The Sony A7C II is an incremental upgrade over the original version, although it packs in some very welcome big improvements to autofocus and a bump in resolution to 33MP that keep it fresh. I am not sure if it is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who owns the Mark I version of the A7C, but for newcomers, the camera still is one of the best options for photographers and video makers looking for the smallest and most compact camera, while still getting pro-level features. 

Separating itself from its very similar ZV companions, the A7C II still keeps the rangefinder-style EVF, even if it isn’t the strongest EVF I have used. For photos the camera is outstanding, it shares the same sensor and tech as the other most recent cameras in the Sony Alpha series, so has the latest in AI autofocus recognition and tracking for people, animals, and other subjects. The A7C II also benefits from much improved in-body image stabilization.

Sony continues to offer up all its cameras now as hybrid models, and the A7C II has some serious video specs. I seriously considered naming this as the best Sony video camera over the ZV-E1, but that camera’s built-in mic and more video-centric body won. But that should show how serious a camera this is for hybrid creators who care just as much about video. 

The only real disappointment with the camera is its fairly terrible ergonomics. Despite Sony at least attempting to make some improvements in this area, it is still a difficult camera to handhold with larger Sony lenses, which the inclusion of a full-frame sensor suggests it is designed for. I tested the camera with big Sony G-Master glass and it was very uncomfortable. You can of course use smaller lenses, but I feel that kind of defeats the purpose of this camera using a full-frame sensor, and you should look more closely at the Sony a6700.

Read our full Sony A7C II review

How to choose the best Sony camera

First, you need to ask yourself what you are going to use your camera for. If you want to shoot video to use on social media or to live stream on the internet, then Sony makes an excellent range of compact vlogging cameras like the Sony ZV-1F and Sony ZV-E10 that cover a range of price points and image quality

If you are looking for something a bit more serious, then Sony’s Alpha series is the way to go, these cameras are more specialized for higher quality images and video in different situations. The Sony A7R V is a megapixel monster for massive images, the Sony A9 II is for serious sports shooters, and the Sony a6700 packs the best of Sony’s tech into a travelable body. Sony’s Alpha series is also compatible with the best Sony lenses to up your photography game even further.

If you want to produce high-end video then we have a guide for that, check out our guide to the best camera for filmmaking for some high-end Sony video options.

What is the best Sony vlogging camera?

This depends on your budget. The best entry-level vlogging camera from Sony is the ZV-1F which is small and compact and shoots good 4K. If you want something a little more advanced then the Sony ZV-E10 is the best in Sony’s range, with its interchangeable lenses it gives you more freedom to create.

Are Sony cameras better than Nikon and Canon?

Well, no. All camera brands make great cameras – how good these cameras are depends on your skill as a photographer. Sony cameras excel in various aspects including excellent subject recognition and tracking, solid image stabilization, as well as its long history of producing professional-level video. Switching to a Sony camera from another brand will not improve your photography – without you also working on your technique. Whatever camera system you use, you can be sure with practice you can create equally exceptional images.

How we test Sony cameras

We test Sony cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. We test Sony cameras with their intended purpose in mind – for example, we test powerful sports cameras like the Sony A9 III with high-speed subjects, while we test Sony’s ZV vlogging range with a focus on video quality over any stills prowess.

Our real-world testing assesses how Sony cameras perform in everyday shooting situations. This is based on our reviewer’s own experiences using the camera, how the camera feels and works, any issues they encountered, and their subjective opinion on the camera performance separate from the lab results.

Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera’s ISO range. 

The real-world experience and lab results are combined to inform exactly what we select for inclusion in our buying guides.

You can find out more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.