4.67/5 — More than 300 reviewsToday, the Sony Alpha ILCE system camera is a real alternative to the popular Canon and Nikon models. Both in terms of image quality and other features such as speed of image capture, the Sony Alpha system cameras are in no way inferior to the models from Canon and Nikon. The system cameras have no mirror and often no image stabiliser. The latter is only present in the Mark II series. This keeps the body compact and light, as is often desired from a system camera. The choice ranges from inexpensive devices for beginners to cameras for semi-professionals and professional models for professional photographers. You can tell which Sony system camera is right for you by the model number: the single-digit models are for professionals, while the cameras with a four-digit model number are aimed at amateur photographers. The latter are equipped with an ASP-C sensor, just as is common with most SLR cameras for hobby photographers. Single-digit Sony Alpha system cameras even get a large full-format sensor from the manufacturer. However, it is good to know that all Sony system cameras use the E bayonet for lenses. Some photographers may still be familiar with this from the NEX series. The lenses of the Sony Alpha series are only compatible with this mount by means of an adapter. Read in the section below after the product advertisement which special features the Sony Alpha system cameras bring with them and what you should look out for when buying in order to find a really suitable model for your personal requirements.
What is a system camera?
An SLR camera is primarily intended for professionals and experienced hobby photographers who want to develop their photographic skills. It is very robust and offers good image quality - as long as you know how to use it. However, an SLR camera is relatively large and heavy. Many amateur photographers also don't want to carry around several large and heavy lenses all the time. But there is another disadvantage with SLR cameras: the equipment can be very expensive, because the purchase of the camera body is not enough. A good lens can be even more expensive than the actual camera.
Many hobby photographers do not want to buy an SLR camera for these reasons. A compact camera with a fixed lens and a relatively small sensor is often not an option for them either. Although these devices fit into any jacket or shirt pocket and are therefore always with you, creative freedom and image quality in unfavourable lighting conditions often fall by the wayside. Most models do not allow you to select important parameters such as exposure time or aperture yourself. The image quality is also nowhere near as good as with DSLRs: due to small sensors and a high pixel density, sharpness suffers, as does noise behaviour in low light.
This is precisely why mirrorless system cameras were developed. They are the golden mean between professional DSLRs and digital compact cameras. Although they don't fit in every shirt pocket, they are handy, light and compact. Nevertheless, you have a lot of creative freedom when taking pictures and enjoy excellent image quality. This is especially true of the modern system cameras from Sony, which are equipped with high-quality sensors and many functional features.
Full-frame or APS-C sensor?
The current Sony Alpha system cameras are available either with an APS-C sensor or with a large full-frame sensor. Models with a crop sensor can be identified by the four-digit model number and are especially suitable for beginners and ambitious hobby photographers. If you have higher demands in terms of noise behaviour, image quality and cropping, you should opt for the Sony Alpha devices with a single-digit model number. They are equipped with a large image sensor in full format. It ensures low-noise images even in low light, high sharpness and natural colours. However, you will of course pay more money for a system camera with a full-frame sensor than for a device with an APS-C sensor, so the purchase should be carefully considered.
Sony system cameras and their designations
The designations Sony has chosen for the system cameras are often somewhat confusing, especially for laypeople. There are system cameras with the designation "Alpha" in the name, but also some devices that are listed as "NEX". To make it easier for you to make a purchase decision, we would therefore like to provide some clarification.
In the Alpha series from Sony, both digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and system cameras (DSLM) are sold. Since 2010, there are also Alpha system cameras that have a partially transparent mirror and are called SLT cameras. SLT stands for "single lens translucent". As with the Sony SLR cameras, the lens mount used here is the A bayonet (formerly known as the Minolta bayonet).
The NEX series from Sony was also launched in 2010, and with it the first mirrorless system cameras. They are now often called Sony NEX. However, these system cameras are not compatible with the A lenses because of the different construction. Instead, the new Sony E bayonet was used here for the first time. However, you can use special adapters to connect a lens with an A bayonet to a system camera with an E bayonet.
It was not until September 2013, when the first mirrorless full-frame system cameras were introduced, that Sony abolished the series name NEX again. The mirrorless system cameras now also appear under the name Alpha. At the same time, Sony introduced a new FE bayonet for the mirrorless system cameras that have a full-frame sensor, which is compatible with the E bayonet.
The affordable Sony Alpha DSLM variants are perfect for beginners
Which Sony Alpha DSLM is right for you depends - as with buying any camera - on your personal requirements. Models with a four-digit designation are usually aimed at amateur photographers and beginners. Nevertheless, you will still be happy with such a camera even if your demands increase over time. Many have a Full HD video function, a 20-megapixel sensor, a practical folding display and numerous individual setting options. The purchase costs are comparatively low, so you benefit from a perfect price-performance ratio with the four-digit Sony Alpha system cameras that hardly any other manufacturer can offer you. If you value extras such as a splash-proof housing, fast continuous shooting and a functional shoulder display (the small info display on the top right of the camera), you should choose a Sony Alpha 7 or 9. They are characterised by lower noise and sharper images, which means that even photographers with higher demands will get their money's worth.
How to recognise professional system cameras from Sony
The upper class of Sony system cameras is identified by the single-digit 7 or 9 in the name. These models are equipped with a comparatively huge full-frame sensor, which ensures low-noise images and more sharpness. Therefore, these cameras are especially suitable for hobby photographers with very high demands and for professionals who are looking for an alternative or a second camera to a DSLR. Good to know: These professional system cameras from Sony can only show their strengths when they are equipped with correspondingly high-quality lenses. Sony has been cooperating for some time with the lens professionals from Carl Zeiss, who supply high-quality lenses. With the "G Master" series, Sony offers its own range of lenses, which is continuously growing and is an improved new edition of the already well-known Minolta lenses.
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