The Best Sony Camera in 2022

Picking the best Sony cameras can be a daunting task, because there’s simply so much choice. Sony has done an incredible job of filling out its range of digital cameras, from beginner-friendly budget models, to some of the most sophisticated professional tools in the industry. This guide is designed to help you navigate the range of find the camera that’s right for you.

We’ve gone through the entire Sony range and chosen the best cameras for different users and applications. We’ve made sure to include options at different price points, and have mixed in older and newer cameras in accordance with which ones we think offer the best value for money. And once you’ve picked your camera, don’t forget to check out the best Sony E-mount lenses.

How to choose the best Sony camera

In our full list of Sony cameras, we’ve got compact cameras and mirrorless cameras, and they come with different sized sensors. How to choose the right one?

It all depends on your budget, as well as what you’re planning to use the camera for. Compact cameras, with fixed lenses, prioritise portability and simplicity over versatility. Mirrorless cameras, meanwhile, allow you to change lenses, which opens up your options, but also incurs more expense.

There’s also the question of sensor size. Sony compact cameras sport 1-inch sensors, while its mirrorless cameras will use the larger APS-C (the A6XXX series) or larger still full-frame (the flagship Alpha models). Which is best? Well, a larger sensor confers all sorts of advantages, like better low light performance and dynamic range, but it also requires a larger, more expensive camera to wield. If you need help getting your head around it, Amy Davies has written a useful APS-C vs full-frame guide.

Otherwise, it’s best to look at the cameras’ headline features and figure out which are most important to you and your shooting priorities. Want to capture wildlife images? Look for fast burst speeds and sophisticated autofocus systems. If you’re looking to add video to your repertoire as well as stills, you’ll want to look at the maximum video resolution and frame rate the camera can capture.

So, let’s get stuck in!

Here are our picks of the best Sony cameras:

Best Sony camera for photography: Sony A7 IV

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 33MP full-frame Exmor-R CMOS sensor
• 10 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• £2,400 / $2,499 body-only

The Sony A7 cameras have always been good for a bit of everything. While the A7R models focus on resolution, the A7S models on low-light video and the A9 models on speed, the A7 cameras have quietly gone about the business of being some of the best full-frame all-rounders on the market.

The Sony Alpha A7 IV is the best one yet, kicking it up a gear in response to increased competition from Canon and Nikon. This translates to a revamped 33MP sensor, with 11fps burst shooting and super-fast autofocus to play with, as well as handling improvements like a fully articulating LCD screen and a higher-resolution viewfinder.

The impressive range of full-frame E-mount lenses allows you to customise the system according to what you plan to shoot. For serious photographers, it’s one of the most fully-featured cameras you can buy right now without getting into ultra-pro territory. In our review, our verdict was that with the A7 IV, Sony ‘has produced a substantially improved camera that offers enough updates not only to tempt its existing users to upgrade, but also to turn the heads of DSLR users who might be considering making the transition to mirrorless.’

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Intelligent, flexible autofocus
• Articulated screen

Cons

• AF system complex to configure
• No in-camera Raw conversion

Best for: enthusiast photographers who want to shoot everything

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Best Sony for wildlife and bird photography: Sony A1

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 50.1MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• 30 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-102,400 (extended)
• 8K 30p video recording
• £6,500 / $6,500 body-only

So, speaking of ultra-pro territory – the Sony Alpha A1 is something truly special, and one of the most technologically advanced cameras ever made. It could have topped any of the categories on this list that don’t have the word “budget” anywhere near them, but we’ve picked it for bird and wildlife photography because of its frankly ridiculous ability to shoot at 30 frames per second, maintaining that full 50MP resolution, while adjusting focus and exposure between shots. This is basically cheat mode for wildlife photography.

Of course, the Sony A1 is designed for professionals, and costs more than almost any two other cameras on this list combined. If that’s out of your budget (fair), then we’d also recommend considering the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV. A bridge camera that pairs a 20.1MP 1-inch sensor with a 24-600mm (equivalent) f/2.4-4 lens, it has an incredibly capable autofocus system that consistently nails moving subjects. We had no choice but to give this camera the highest possible score in our review; as our Technical Editor Andy Westlake said, it’s ‘a truly remarkable technological tour de force.‘

Pros

• Incredible burst speeds
• Class-leading viewfinder
• Excels at everything

Cons

• Absurdly expensive

Best for: big-budget pros

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Best Sony camera for beginners on a budget: Sony A6000

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 24.3MP full-frame Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor
• 11 frames per second shooting
• ISO 100-25,600
• Full HD 60p video recording
• £419-499 with lens / around $650 with lens

This fantastic camera has been around since 2014, and the fact that it’s still one of the best mirrorless cameras for beginners is an indicator of how many things Sony got right with it. The Sony Alpha A6000 kicked off an entire series of APS-C mirrorless cameras for enthusiasts, and over the years its price has come down to the point where it’s one of the best budget cameras you can buy. There are also plenty of E-mount lenses designed specifically for APS-C cameras, so you won’t feel short-changed when it comes to the glass.

It’s amazing how many of the A6000’s specs are still competitive today. The autofocus system can acquire a subject in as little as 0.06 seconds, and the burst mode can manage 11fps – all of which is more than enough for speedy action photography. The only area where the A6000 has started to fall behind is video, as it pre-dates the 4K boom, and doesn’t have a mic jack.

In our review when the A6000 came out, we said, ‘Top-spec technology and a host of cutting-edge features may just see the Alpha 6000 mirror the longevity and success of its predecessor and keep it competitive in years to come.‘ Not to toot our own horns, but we called that one pretty well.

Pros

• Fantastic value for money
• Good burst speeds
• Sleek, attractive design

Cons

• Showing age in video

Best for: cash-conscious beginners and enthusiasts

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Best Sony camera for vlogging: Sony A7C

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
• 10 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• £1,900 body-only / $1,799 body-only

Sony loves small cameras, even when they’ve got big sensors. The Sony Alpha A7C is a relatively recent entry to the full-frame A7 line, and feels like an attempt to get back to basics, with a diminutive design and simple layout, and a lot of the choices make it ideal for vloggers.

It’s got a fully articulating screen, as well as mic and headphone sockets that are smartly positioned not to block the screen when it’s facing forwards. Its 4K 30p footage looks gorgeous, with good dynamic range thanks to the full-frame sensor.

In our review, we were impressed by the image quality the A7C offers, even if its tiny body sometimes made for an awkward handling experience. We recommended using it with small, compact FE-mount prime lenses to get the best out of it.

Pros

• Full-frame in a portable body
• Superb AF tracking
• Consistent Raw quality

Cons

• Small, awkward viewfinder
• Diminutive size can make for awkward control

Best for: serious vloggers and aspiring YouTubers

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Best Sony camera for travel vlogging: Sony ZV-E10

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 11 frames per second shooting
• ISO 64-51,200 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• £680 / $700 body-only

Sony’s ZV series of cameras are expressly designed for vlogging, delivering a highly portable video setup. The Sony ZV-E10 is the first mirrorless camera in the series; like the A6000, it sports a 24MP APS-C sensor. It takes a lot of design cues from the first camera in the series, the Sony ZV-1 compact, but having the option to swap out E-mount lenses gives you a great deal more flexibility.

The ZV-E10 packs in a lot of vlogger-specific features. Its built-in 3-way capsule microphone gives it on-board audio recording chops that are head and shoulders above most consumer cameras. You can also attach an external mic if you prefer. While its video capabilities won’t match those of flagship cameras like the Sony A7S III, the ZV-E10 works brilliantly as an agile setup for run-and-gun vloggers. As we said in our review, ‘For content creators there are few creative things that the ZV-E10 won’t allow you to do.’

Pros

• Fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen
• Lightweight build
• Good high-ISO performance

Cons

• No viewfinder
• No mode dial

Best for: vloggers who want an agile, portable rig

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Best Sony for travel photography: Sony RX100 VI

At a glance:

• Compact camera with 24-200mm equiv. f/2.8-4.5 lens
• 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• 24 frames per second shooting
• ISO 125-12,800
• 4K 25p video recording
• Around £849 / $1100

Though this isn’t the most recent Sony RX100 compact camera (that title belongs to the Mark VII), the price of this sixth iteration has come down enough since release that we think it’s the smarter buy for travel photographers. It’s got a much longer built-in lens than previous RX100 cameras, making it more versatile, and also packs in plenty of high-end features for a camera in this class. Having 24fps burst shooting with focus and exposure adjustment, up to a 233-shot JPEG buffer, is no small thing.

The little Sony RX100 VI is still pocketable, meaning it’s ideal for city breaks and hikes as it won’t add much weight to your bag. The pop-up viewfinder is a nice touch as well, and 4K video at 25p with full pixel readout is a useful thing to have in your back pocket. In our review we were consistently impressed by how much technology was packed into the RX100 VI’s tiny body, saying, ‘There’s no doubt that the Sony RX100 VI is an astounding technological feat.‘

Pros

• Lens sharp throughout zoom range
• Snappy autofocus
• Pop-up viewfinder

Cons

• Small body makes for tricky handling
• Pricier than competitors

Best for: world-explorer photographers who travel light

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Best Sony camera for streaming: Sony A6400

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 11 frames per second shooting
• ISO 100-102,400 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• Around £899 /$899 body-only

If you want to set up a Sony camera for streaming, an APS-C mirrorless camera is a good bet, as they offer a solid suite of video features without the high price tag of the full-frame models. We recommend trying the Sony Alpha A6400 – it has plenty of features that are hugely useful for streaming, like its flip-up monitor, which has a video-friendly 16:9 aspect ratio.

You can stream via HDMI, or via USB with Sony’s Imaging Edge webcam software. The A6400 can record 4K at 30p, though the Full HD looks excellent, and is potentially the better choice for streaming. In our review, we also had a lot of praise for the A6400’s autofocus, which really is exceptional. ‘This really is a glimpse of the future,’ we said at the time. ‘Its ability to lock onto and track subjects is truly extraordinary.’

Pros

• Flexible streaming options
• 16:9 rear screen
• Well priced

Cons

• No in-body stabilisation

Best for: at-home vloggers, streamers and YouTubers

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Best Sony camera for sports photography: Sony A9 II

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 24MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
• 20 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• £4,299 / £4,499 body-only

Sony shook up sports and action photography with its blisteringly fast A9, and the Sony Alpha A9 II is an even more impressive mirrorless camera. The A9 II is designed to be able to capture basically any subject, no matter how fast-moving – its ground-breaking autofocus system is capable of making up to 60 AF calculations per second, and it can shoot at up to 20fps with the electronic shutter, or 10fps with the mechanical. This means you’ve still got a competitive burst rate in play in situations where you might run the risk of encountering a banding effect due to the quality of the light.

The A9 II burst-shoots with no viewfinder blackout, meaning you can keep laser-focused on your subject. With this and the generous ISO range, it’s difficult to think of many other cameras that can match the A9 II for its ability to nail the shot in basically any situation.

Pros

• Fast burst with no blackout
• Good high-ISO performance
• Incredible auofocus

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Eclipsed at pro level by A1

Best for: sports pros

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Best Sony for landscape photography: Sony A7R IV

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 61MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
• 10 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-204,800 (extended)
• 4K 30p video recording
• Around £3,199 / $3,000 body-only

With the A7R series, Sony has continually broken the boundaries of resolution for full-frame cameras. The Sony Alpha A7R IV is the latest and greatest; with a whopping 61 million pixels of resolution to play with, photographers can capture an astonishing level of detail. A slower shooting experience than other Sony cameras, it’s a perfect choice for landscape photographers.

The A7R IV captures images with fine gradation, and a 15-stop dynamic range if you use it at the low end of its ISO scale. Pair it with a high-quality, large-aperture prime lens from E-mount, and the results are nothing short of astonishing.

In our review, we said that ‘Sony has successfully created one of the finest high resolution full-frame mirrorless offerings on the market.’ And what’s more, if it’s too expensive for you, its release has seen the older A7R III’s street price take a tumble.

Pros

• Class-leading image quality
• Real-time Eye/Animal AF works in video
• New weather seals

Cons

• Very pricey
• Creates big files

Best for: making large prints

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Best Sony camera for video: Sony A1

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 51MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• 30 frames per second shooting
• ISO 50-102,400 (extended)
• 8K 30p video recording
• £6,500 / $6,500 body-only

Yep, it’s back. As we said earlier, the Sony Alpha A1 really could have topped practically any of these categories, but we elected to restrict it to just two – and it really is the best video camera Sony has made in the Alpha series.

It’s capable of capturing 8K 30p video – indeed, was the first mirrorless camera to be able to do so – and it will do that internally, with a bit rate of up to 400Mbps. Drop the resolution, and you’ve got 4K at a maximum frame rate of 120p.

A clever heat-management system keeps the camera cool and enables recording times of more than 30 minutes – none of those harsh recording limits that dogged the Canon EOS R5 on launch. You get 10-bit 4:2:2 colour, while S-Cinetone and S-log3 modes help retain maximum detail and dynamic range for the colour grade.

Pros

• Generous video recording limits
• Loads of video options
• Near-faultless build quality

Cons

• Again, price

Best for: uncompromising video shooters

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Best Sony camera for low-light video: Sony A7S III

At a glance:

• Mirrorless camera
• 12.1MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor
• 10 frames per second shooting
• ISO 40-409,600 extended
• 4K 120p video recording
• £3,799 / $3,499 body-only

It’s hard to overstate just how much the original Sony A7S changed the game with regard to low-light video. Its ability to effectively shoot in the dark at ISO levels as high as 409,600 redefined what was thought possible on a full-frame mirrorless camera. The A7S II further upped the ante by adding internal 4K recording, solidifying the series’ position as a tool for serious filmmakers.

The Sony Alpha A7S III does all the same things, and adds handling upgrades like a side-hinged fully articulated LCD, and a completely overhauled touch-sensitive interface. As awkward menu-fiddling has always been a bit of a bugbear with Sony cameras, this was a truly welcome addition. As we said in our review, ‘It doesn’t take long with the A7S III to be seriously impressed.’

With twin card slots that can both accept the super-fast CFExpress Type A format, as well as a back-illuminated sensor structure that enables lightning-fast readout speeds, this is a camera that’s more than capable of keeping up with even the most demanding video shoots.

Pros

• Unbeaten low-light performance
• Can record for ages
• Superior autofocus in video

Cons

• 12MP too low for photographers

Best for: filmmakers and pro content creators

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Found your perfect Sony camera? Why not have a look at some of our choices for the best Sony E mount lenses, or have a look at our other buying guides, and our latest reviews, for more ideas.

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