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Best Rated Sony Alpha DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras Comparison | 2020

January 2, 2020 by  
Filed under Digital SLR



SmartReview.com BEST of CES Award for the Sony A7R Mark III 4K Mirrorless Camera

Best Sony Alpha DSLRs and NEX Mirrorless Cameras – This is a roundup of the Top-Rated Sony Alpha DSLRs with translucent mirror technology, and Sony Compact System Mirrorless Cameras. Both camera types have interchangeable lenses. Sony’s mirrorless cameras have a much smaller footprint than the larger regular sized Alpha Digital SLR cameras (half the size and weight) and are easier to use than standard SLRs. A smaller camera is more likely to be taken with you.

The imaging sensor size and features of some of these sub-compact SLRs compare favorably to a full size digital SLR without the size or weight. NEX cameras have APS-C sized sensors. The latest cameras shoot 4K Ultra HD Video, the same resolution as the new 4K TVs. The imaging sensor of these compact cameras are much larger than the typical point and shoot camera. Image stabilization is either in the lenses, or the body of these compact cameras. Below is a comparison of the these top rated compact cameras by price, features and reviews. A glossary of terms is available at the bottom of the page.

Best Rated Sony Alpha Mirrorless Full-Frame Cameras
(Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras Comparison & Reviews)

Sony Alpha
A7s Mark II
4K Camera
Sony Alpha
A7R Mark III
4K Camera
Sony Alpha
A7R Mark II
4K Camera
Sony Alpha
A7 Mark II
Camera

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Full Frame Imager
Mirrorless Camera
12.2 Megapixels
1080p/24/30/60/120p
UHD/24/30p 4K
ISO 100-102,400
Exp ISO to 409,600
169 AF Points
3.0-inch Tilting LCD with 1,228,000 dots
– – –
– – –
OLED 2.36M Dots EVF
Tilting Screen
30 – 1/8000 sec
Burst Mode: 5 fps
4.6″ x 2.7″ x 1.5″
Weight: 22.12 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
Mic & Headphone Jack
Crop factor: None
2016 model
WiFi & NFC
5-Axis SteadyShot
S-Log2 & 3 Gamma
Magnesium Alloy Body
clean HDMI output
Full Frame Imager
Mirrorless Camera
42.4 Megapixels
1080p/24/30/60/120p
UHD/24/30p 4K
ISO 100-32,000
Exp 50 to 102,400
399 AF Points
3.0-inch Tilting LCD with 1,440,000 dots
Touch Screen
Dual Card Slots
OLED 3.69M Dots EVF
Tilting Screen
30 – 1/8000 sec
Burst Mode: 10 fps
5.0″ x 3.8″ x 2.9″
Weight: 23 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
Mic & Headphone Jack
Crop factor: None
2018 model
WiFi & NFC
5-Axis SteadyShot
HLG & S-Log2, S-Log3 Gammas
Magnesium Alloy Body
clean HDMI output
BEST of CES 2018
Full Frame Imager
Mirrorless Camera
42.4 Megapixels
1080p/24/30/60p
UHD/24/30p 4K
ISO 100-25,600
Exp ISO to 102,400
399 AF Points
3.0-inch Tilting LCD with 1,228,000 dots
– – –
– – –
OLED 2.36M Dots EVF
Tilting Screen
30 – 1/8000 sec
Burst Mode: 5 fps
5.0″ x 3.8″ x 2.4″
Weight: 22.05 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
Mic & Headphone Jack
Crop factor: None
2016 model
WiFi & NFC
5-Axis SteadyShot
S-Log2 Gamma
Magnesium Alloy Body
clean HDMI output
Full Frame Imager
Mirrorless Camera
24.3 Megapixels
1080p/24/30/60p
– – –
ISO 100-25,600
Exp ISO to 51,200
117 AF Points
3.0-inch Tilting LCD with 1,228,000 dots
– – –
– – –
OLED 2.36M Dots EVF
Tilting Screen
30 – 1/8000 sec
Burst Mode: 5 fps
5.0″ x 3.8″ x 2.4″
Weight: 19.6 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
Mic & Headphone Jack
Crop factor: None
2016 model
WiFi & NFC
– – –
S-Log2 Gamma
Magnesium Alloy Body
clean HDMI output


Best Rated Sony Alpha Compact Mirrorless Cameras | 2018-2019

Sony Alpha
a6000 Camera
Sony Alpha
a5100 Camera
Sony Alpha
a6300 4K Camera
Sony Alpha
a6500 4K Camera

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APS-C Imager
Mirrorless Camera
24.3 Megapixels
1080/24/60p HD
– – –
ISO 100-25,600
179 AF Points
3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921,000 dots
– – –
OLED EVF
Tilting Screen
Built-in flash
30 – 1/4000 sec
Burst Mode: 11 fps
4.7″ x 2.6″ x 1.8″
Weight: 12.1 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
– – –
Accessory Shoe
Crop factor 1.5x
2015 model
WiFi & NFC
– – –
APS-C Imager
Mirrorless Camera
24.3 Megapixels
1080/24/60p HD
– – –
ISO 100-25,600
179 AF Points
3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921,000 dots
Touchscreen
– – –
Flip Up Screen
Built-in flash
30 – 1/4000 sec
Burst Mode: 6 fps
4.33″ x 2.48″ x 1.42″
Weight: 10 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
– – –
– – –
Crop factor 1.5x
2015 model
WiFi & NFC
– – –
APS-C Imager
Mirrorless Camera
24.2 Megapixels
1080/24/60p HD
UHD/24/30p 4K
ISO 100-25,600
425 AF Points
3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921,000 dots
– – –
XGA OLED EVF
Tilting Screen
Built-in flash
30 – 1/4000 sec
Burst Mode: 11 fps
4.7″ x 2.6″ x 1.9″
Weight: 14.2 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
External Mic Jack
Accessory Shoe
Crop factor 1.5x
2016 model
WiFi & NFC
Shoots in 4K
APS-C Imager
Mirrorless Camera
24.2 Megapixels
1080/24/60p HD
UHD/24/30p 4K
ISO 100-25,600
425 AF Points
3.0-inch TFT LCD with 921,000 dots
Touchscreen
XGA OLED EVF
Tilting Screen
Built-in flash
30 – 1/4000 sec
Burst Mode: 11 fps
4.7″ x 2.6″ x 2.1″
Weight: 16 ounces
BIONZ X Processor
E-mount Lens
External Mic Jack
Accessory Shoe
Crop factor 1.5x
2017 model
WiFi & NFC
Shoots in 4K
In Body Stabilization


Best Rated Sony ALPHA Mirrorless Cameras (Older Models)
(No Touch-screen on these older models)

Sony Alpha A7s
Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Sony Alpha A7r
Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Sony Alpha A7
Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

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Full Frame Imager
12.2 Megapixels
HD Movie Mode (1080p)
ISO 100-102400
3.0-inch LCD with 921K dots
LCD Live View
Optional flash
30 – 1/8000 sec
Up to 5 fps
5.0″ x 3.7″ x 1.9″
Weight: 14.36 oz.
BIONZ-X Processor
E-Mount Lenses
Crop factor: none
1080p @ 24p/60i/60p
OLED Viewfinder: w/2.35M dots
Uncompressed 1080p out
Headphone Jack
Magnesium Alloy Body
WiFi and NFC
2014-2015 model
HDMI out 4K Video
50Mbps XAVC S
Full Frame Imager
36.4 Megapixels
HD Movie Mode (1080p)
ISO 100-25600
3.0-inch LCD with 921K dots
LCD Live View
Optional flash
30 – 1/8000 sec
Up to 4 fps
5.0″ x 3.7″ x 1.9″
Weight: 14.36 oz.
BIONZ-X Processor
E-Mount Lenses
Crop factor: none
1080p @ 24p/60i/60p
OLED Viewfinder: w/2.35M dots
Uncompressed 1080p out
Headphone Jack
Magnesium Alloy Body
WiFi and NFC
2014-2015 model
no low-pass filter
Full Frame Imager
24.3 Megapixels
HD Movie Mode (1080p)
ISO 100-25600
3.0-inch LCD with 921K dots
LCD Live View
Optional flash
30 – 1/8000 sec
Up to 5 fps
5.0″ x 3.7″ x 1.9″
Weight: 14.36 oz.
BIONZ-X Processor
E-Mount Lenses
Crop factor: none
1080 @ 24p/60i/60p
OLED Viewfinder: w/2.35M dots
Uncompressed 1080p out
Headphone Jack
Magnesium Alloy Body
WiFi and NFC
2014 model


Glossary of Terms

APS-C Imager = This imager is smaller than a Full Frame imager, but bigger than a Four Thirds Imager. Lenses used on SLRs with APS-C imagers have a focal length about 1.6x that of full frame imagers (crop factor 1.6). This means that the telephoto end of the lens will be greater. New digital lenses have been developed for these type of SLRs.
Full Frame Imager = This is the same size as 35mm film, no conversion is needed on lenses. The new Sony Alpha A7 and A7r are Full Framed mirrorless cameras, and are the smallest and lightest full frame cameras available.
Four Thirds Imager = This imager is smaller than a Full Frame imager. Lenses used on SLRs with Micro Four Thirds imagers have a focal length 2.0x that of full frame imagers (crop factor of 2). This means that the telephoto end of the lens will be greater. New digital lenses have been developed for these type of SLRs.
Crop Factor = This refers to how the focal length of the lens will behave compared to the same lens on a camera with a full frame 35mm sized imager. A crop factor of 2.0 means that a 16mm lens will behave like a 32mm lens. The higher the crop factor, the larger the focal length and also the telephoto end of the lens.
ISO = This refers to how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the image sensor and ability to take pictures in low-light situations.
Live View = Allows you to preview your picture on the LCD screen instead of only through the viewfinder.
Frames per second = This is how many pictures (or frames) can be taken rapid fire per second at maximum resolution.
HD Video Mode = These sub-compact cameras can operate as an HD camcorder as well as an SLR. We also list the resolution (1080p, 1080i and 720p) that each camera is capable of recording. Some have higher 4K resolution.
UHD/24/30P 4K = This indicates that this camera is capable of 4K Ultra HD resolution (UHD) at 24 and 30 frames/second progressive or 24p and 30p. 4K is four times higher resolution than full HD. The clarity is truly stunning.
60p Full HD = Only the Sony Nex-7, A7 and A7r have the super smooth 60 frames/second (60p) movie mode at Full HD 1920×1080 resolution.
Compact E-mount = This refers to the lens mount that the Sony NEX cameras use for their subcompact DSLRs.
Micro Four Thirds mount = This refers to the lens mount that the sub-compact DSLR Panasonic Lumix and Olympus Pen cameras use.
LCD = This refers to the LCD screen in the back of the camera. A tiltable screen allows you to take pictures above your head or down low.
Detachable Flash = On some Sony Cameras, the flash is not built-in, but clips on when you need it. This gives the advantage of a smaller camera than its peers. The Nex-7 does have a built in pop-up flash.
Weight and Dimensions = The weight and dimensions listed are for the camera body only.
Translucent Mirror Technology = For Sony Alpha DSLRs, these mirrors direct light to both the image sensor and the Phase Detection AF sensor simultaneously. This makes for faster focusing. Allows Full-time Continuous AF that keeps the subject in sharp focus and even during continuous shooting and movie shooting
Uncompressed 1080p out = This means that you can record uncompressed video using the HDMI port on the camera with an external recorder.


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