The Best Sony Cameras and Lenses in 2024
In this article, I’m going to share the best Sony cameras and lenses in 2024. Whether you’re a vlogger or a wedding photographer, this line-up will help you wade through the Sony camera options. I’ve been a professional photographer for over a decade and like many photographers I love gear! Read on for my recommendations.
How We test Sony cameras
Before I dive into the reviews, I want to give you a little background on our photography business so that you know where the perspective is coming from. This may help you understand the basis for the opinions and ideas that I give when it comes to Sony cameras.
I am an outdoor photographer specializing in weddings and adventures. Among my top priorities are good image quality, dynamic range, ease of use, affordability, and compact/lightweight design. It is also a top priority to have a camera that is durable and reliable.
Additionally, I love being able to shoot both photos and video with my cameras so if you’re a hybrid shooter like me you’ll see an option for that below, but I’ll also include cameras for beginners in my buying guides. And below the section on camera reviews, I’ll talk about camera lenses.
Best Sony Cameras
Let’s talk through some of the best Sony cameras in 2024. Camera technology is constantly improving and I love the implications this has for professional photographers. We simply have to remind ourselves not to get carried away with gear so that we still have a profitable business.
Before you dive into this guide and select your Sony camera, narrow down your priorities and a description of what you’re looking for so that you know which sections to narrow in on. Having an idea of what you want will help you make a wise choice.
In the sections below I’ll talk about the best Sony cameras for various purposes from image quality to camera sensor. I’ll give descriptions of why these are my favorite cameras and include videos where I have them. Then, I’ll follow up with tips for lenses.
Best All Around Sony Camera (Top of the Line)
The Sony A1 is the current flagship camera from Sony. It has a 50mp sensor and shoots 8k video. If you want the highest quality for photos and videos, check out the Sony A1!
Best Sony Camera for High Resolution: Sony A7RV
The Sony A7RV is the best high-resolution camera from Sony (61 megapixels) and also shoots video in an impressive 8k. This is an ideal camera for landscape photographers or people making large prints with their photos. If you want the best in class resolution from a full-frame sensor, this is the camera for you.
Best Sony for Photo Video Hybrid Shooters: Sony A7SIII
One of the best Sony cameras on the market right now for hybrid shooters is the Sony A7SIII. It has incredible video features and takes excellent photos in low light. It is only 12 megapixels but if you’re not making large prints (above 20×30), it is completely adequate!
Best Upper Mid-Range Sony Camera: Sony A7IV
Perhaps you’re looking for an upper mid-range Sony camera. You want something that is high-quality but not necessarily the top-of-the-line camera that will break the budget. The Sony A7IV is an excellent balance of features, quality, and affordability. It does everything most photographers and videographers need without busting your budget.
Best Budget Sony Camera: Sony A6000
The Sony A6000 is one of the cheapest and most well-regarded cameras from Sony. Having a budget is a good thing especially if you’re trying to run a profitable business and the older models might be a good fit. Older or used cameras are often a smart buy.
Best Sony Camera for Travel: Sony A7CII
Sony cameras like the Sony A7CII are great for travel because they are lightweight and compact. If you’re on the hunt for the best travel photography gear, be sure to check out my list and tips on the blog. The best full-frame travel camera is the Sony A7CII. This camera packs a ton of features into a super compact design. If you want this camera with a little more resolution, check out the Sony A7CR. It packs a 61MP sensor into a super small camera body! (Next check out our post on camera settings.)
Best Sony Full-Frame Camera on a Budget: Sony A7II
Maybe you know you want a full-frame sensor but you’re on a budget. Beginners looking for a great budget option should check out the Sony A7II. It’s an older camera but still has a ton of great features for a very affordable price, especially if you shop used!
Best Sony Camera For Content Creators: Sony A7IV
Content creators are looking for a versatile camera that can do it all! The Sony A7IV has all the features you want and a very friendly interface while still being relatively affordable for the quality. It takes great photos and videos all with a comfortable and easy-to-use design.
Best Budget Sony Vlogging Camera: Sony ZV1
For the best vlogging camera, you’ll want to check out the Sony ZV1. It has a built-in lens and is very compact with a solid balance of features. The built-in lens has an equivalent focal range of 24-70mm (very versatile) and the 20mp sensor will give you plenty of resolution for photo and video capture.
Best Sony Lenses
Beyond choosing between the best cameras, lens choices will have an impact on the results of your photographs such as how well your camera performs in low light.
Sony 16-35mm f4
One of my favorite lenses is the 16-35mm f4. It is more affordable than the f/2.8 version, has impressive quality, and has a flexible focal range.
Sony 70-200 f4
Another favorite Sony lens is the 70-200 f4. This lens is a solid value and covers one of my favorite focal ranges. If you want a telephoto lens that can do it all, check out the 70-200!
Sony 55mm f/1.8
The Sony 55mm f/1.8 is my pick for the best ~50mm lens for Sony! It is fast, affordable, and has great image quality. If you want a classic nifty fifty to capture portraits or landscapes, this is a great lens!
Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8
The ultimate do it all zoom lens! The Tamron can capture medium-wide images at 35mm and compress in on a distant subject at 200mm. It also has a very fast aperture for the focal range making it a solid choice in low light conditions!
Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro
If you haven’t tried shooting macro images, this lens is worth a look! Macro photos can be a super fun creative exploration. It opens a whole new category of photography but this lens is also great for portraits and other non-macro subjects. It is not the fastest for its focal length but the ability to focus on objects 11 inches from the front of the lens is very cool!
Best Compact Cheap Prime Lens: Sony 28mm f/2
If I can only take one lens and I need it to be compact/affordable, the Sony 28mm f/2 is it! It may not be the highest quality but it makes up for that in compact size and budget-friendliness!
Sony vs Canon: Why I Switched
Let’s rewind for a second and talk about why I recommend a Sony camera in the first place. I used to be a Canon shooter and the switch was hard! There is a lot of camera loyalty that is hard to abandon.
I was very happy with my Canon DSLR cameras but when Sony kept releasing new cameras with more and more impressive features, I couldn’t restrain my intrigue. Coming from a DSLR, the cameras are so much more lightweight and the electronic viewfinder is so user-friendly.
When Sony finally got their battery life up to an acceptable level with the release of the Sony A7III, I was ready to switch. Since then I haven’t really looked back.
The Canon R5 was tempting but the lenses from Canon were so limited and expensive that I couldn’t justify switching back when I had already moved to Sony. Since then, I’ve been impressed with Sony’s innovative designs and growing market share.
Sony leads the market for a reason, they are simply the best brand on the market right now. Canon disputes this claim but if you look at the data, Sony cameras are the top sellers.
Are Sony cameras better than Nikon and Canon?
In reality, my bias toward Sony is a combination of factors. They have the largest and most affordable lens lineup with offerings from Sony, Sigma, Tamron, Rokinon, and others. Their lenses tend to be more affordable (or at least the have a variety of price points).
Canon is an excellent camera brand. They have tremendous loyalty and they are finally producing impressive cameras. They have dramatically expanded their lens lineup over the years and remain competitive.
Nikon is also a solid camera brand. They have been around for decades and they continue to innovate. While I have always been concerned about their financial standing (weren’t they going bankrupt?), I do think they are a competitive brand. On the other hand, they use Sony sensors in their cameras so why not go straight to the source?!
Sony vs Fujifilm
Fujifilm cameras have always had a cool factor that can’t be ignored. The only downside is that they don’t currently have any full-frame sensor offerings. That is the main sensor size for professionals so Fuji has niched themselves into specific markets. They do have very cool APS-C cameras and a medium format camera but both are a little expensive for the specs.
Sony vs Panasonic
Panasonic has made some interesting cameras over the years with wide popularity (GH5!) but they tend to lag behind the leaders in the industry (Sony & Canon). Time will tell if they develop any market-leading cameras.
Sony vs Leica
Let’s be real, who doesn’t love the appeal of the Ferrari of camera brands? If money wasn’t a concern, I’d be shopping for a Leica. Until then, I’ll be sticking with Sony 🙂
Conclusion
I hope you found my guide useful and if you have any questions about a specific camera, leave a comment below!
About the Author
I am Marc Bergreen, one half of a photography team based in Evergreen, Colorado. On the blog, I share my favorite gear tips. You can find everything you need to know about drone photography including drone accessories as well as more gear guides such as this ND filter guide.
Be sure to check out how to shoot with the 70-200mm lens or this 35mm to 50mm comparison. Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.
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