Your Questions Answered

Dave Rhodes' video will help you decide

Which SONY should I buy for Christ-mas?

By:

Camera Dept Team



December 10, 2020

“Which Sony is best for me?”

We get this question every day, and we love answering it. Why? Because all Sony cameras are exceptional, and even though they have more similarities than differences, the differences are important for the type of photography you want to do.

The decision can be easier than you may think. This is why we are posting this superb video created by our friend Dave Rhodes.

We love Dave. There’s nothing phony or high pressure about him. He is uncompromisingly honest, and practical. He helps our customers decide on which cameras and lenses to buy based on their needs. He’s all about making sure our customers happy with their decisions.

A little more about Dave. He is Sony’s Photo Specialty Technical Representative, and has over 30 years of photography experience with teaching photo enthusiasts and putting on workshops. He is a camera nerd who truly knows how to explain things to those of us who do not have a natural affinity for physics and engineering.

We are posting Dave’s video so that you can watch it in the comfort of your home and discover which Sony model is best suited to you.

HERE'S DAVE....

The video is under an hour long. Here are some of the questions the video will answer for you.

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1. Couldn’t Sony name their camera models something cool so that we can remember them?

Have you researched or looked at some of the different Sony models, but just can’t get them straight? It’s no wonder.

a7R-IV. a7S-III. a7-II. a7C. Really? Those are just a few names of Sony’s full-frame cameras. But this gobbledegook actually does make sense. Maybe not as good as if they had named their camera models something cool like “Satan’s Spawn” or “Renegade Raptor”. Dave tells you how to decipher the code. Once you learn it, you won’t forget.

Did you know that the R stands for Resolution? The a7R-II, a7R-III and a7R-IV all have very high megapixels.

The S stands for sensitivity. So that a7S-IIIshoots in very low light. It has lower megapixels which allows for less noise. This also makes it a good video camera.

Dave goes into this in detail. You will learn why this matters. He shows illustrations that demonstrate which camera models allow for the different types of photography. Although Sony does make cameras that accommodate specific segments of photography, know this: All of Sony’s cameras (including the ASP-C cameras) will generate spectacular still images and high quality video for you.

2. What’s the difference in the image sensors between the Sony camera models?

The image sensor is your camera’s “film”. It grabs the image. But if you are reading this, you most likely already know that. Here’s what you may not know. Aside from the size difference (full-frame and APS-C) Sony makes different image sensors for their different models.

Sony is the number one manufacturer of image sensors in the world. They make high sensitivity sensors. They make high resolution sensors. They make high speed sensors. They make general purpose all around sensors.

Why wouldn’t everyone want a highly sensitive sensor that also has extremely high resolution and high speed??? I WANT IT ALL!!!

Dave explains how the sensor works, and why there is a damn good reason that ALL SENSORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL!

The sensor is the most important part of the camera, along with the processor. Sony makes quite a few different sensors not only for their products, but for a lot of other manufacturers worldwide.

Dave explains and illustrates how a sensor works, and why a high resolution sensor has more noise than a high sensitivity sensor. You will understand forever more, and thus, your life will be complete!

Is that your sensor, or are you just happy to see me? Does size really matter? Size matters in sensors.

The video illustrates the difference in relative sizes between full-frame, APS-C, Micro four-thirds, pocket size, and cell phone sensors. You will be surprised when you see them compared to each other.

Dave goes on to explain why size matters, when big is better and when it’s not.

Dave doesn’t just stop there. He delves deeply into how different sized sensors affect the final image, especially when it comes to the types of lenses that you use.

Check out some of the images that he shows you in this section of the video. You can get more dramatic magnification when you use a full frame (EF) lens on a APS-C sensor.

3. How much resolution do I need?

That’s a question for your therapist. However if you are talking megapixels, then Dave can clear that up for you.

Do you really need 61 megapixels, as in the Sony a7R-IV? It all depends on what you plan to do with the image. Will you be cropping your photo way down? Or making prints that will cover a wall.

Will you be shooting a lot of video? Maybe a 12 megapixel camera will satisfy your needs better than a 61 megapixel camera will.

4. Why aren’t my pictures always sharp? Will Sony give me better images?

Yes, it most likely will. Unless you shoot when you are either very drunk or have had over seven cups of coffee.

There are two reasons why your images may not be as sharp as you’re expecting.

Camera Shake

The main reason why your pictures don’t come out sharp, provided you are using Auto Focus, is because your camera shakes or moves while you are taking the shot. Sony has a 5-axisimage stabilization in it’s cameras and also many of it’s lenses. Camera shake is especially noticeable when you are using a long lens that magnifies your subject. Whether it’s telephoto shooting from a distance, or macro shooting up close, you don’t always have the luxury or desire to use a tripod. This is when Sony’s image stabilization really shines.

The video will teach you how the image stabilization works. It will also refresh your memory on the meaning of the terms “yaw”, “pitch” and “roll”.

There are examples of before and after images demonstrating each of these points of stabilization. It works on still images as well as videos.

Focusing

Sony super advanced auto focus system is one of the features that have made their cameras so popular. Sony’s cameras and lenses do all the work for you.

Sony has been an innovator in the development and manufacturing of advanced auto focusing systems. Through the years, Sony’s advancements in auto focusing for their high end cameras have filtered down to their APC-S cameras, and even their point and shoot cameras. All types of photographers benefit from Sony’s developments in auto focus technology.

Their system has an extremely wide auto focus area and hundreds of focusing points. For example, the Sonya7-III has 797 auto focusing points. Of course, you can control exactly what you want in focus and have it stay in focus even when the subject moves. Some of the Sony cameras calculate the focus 60 times per second!

Sony’s auto focusing includes face detection, eye detection, and even animal eye detection that achieves perfectly sharp focus on dogs, cats, and different breeds of wildlife.

Dave includes a video showing examples of how Sony focusing system stays locked on, even when another object blocks your subject. It’s guaranteed to impress. (If you are not impressed, you may request a full refund for the free video that we posted.)

5. Can I shoot videos with Sony?

Hell yes! Sony cameras are considered Video Marvels! Many professional documentary films are shot with Sony cameras. Movies have been shot with Sony cameras. Scientists use Sony cameras because they can shoot at incredibly high speeds, so that they can be slowed down to research things like a bullet penetrating through glass. (Don’t try that one at home.)

The video world has embraced Sony cameras for their superb capabilities. All Sony cameras shoot video. Some are known for their video specialties. Find out which ones and see the video examples in Dave’s video.

6. What lenses should I get for a Sony?

All Sony lenses fit on all Sony cameras. It doesn’t matter if you have a full-frame or an APC-S, or professional video camera and you make Hollywood movies. They all have the same mount. The e-mount. Movie makers using Sony movie cameras have used their old still camera lenses on their movie cameras.

There are 59 Sony lenses that are available for all Sony cameras with interchangeable lenses. The artificial intelligence in Sony’s lenses communicate with the artificial intelligence built into Sony’s camera bodies.

Can you imagine the conversation?

Lens exclaims, “01111000000111101000101010001110000011010110”

Camera replies, “01110!!!”

Dave shows an example of the difference between lenses with a series of shots he took of the Golden Gate Bridge while standing in the same spot. It goes from the bridge being way off in the distance (12mm lens), to a close-up of one of the towers on the bridge (1200mm). You just have to see it to believe it.

Dave isn’t shy about letting you know that other brands of lenses will also work well on Sony cameras. The initial intent of the Sony was to offer a high quality camera that the customer could buy, but not have to spend a ton of money to buy all new lenses. The customer could use the lenses they had with their old DSLR system on their new Sony.

7. What if I still don’t know which one to buy?

Number one thing to know: You cannot go wrong with any of the Sony cameras. They all take superb still shots and high quality video. However, you can fine tune your selection to the very best one for YOU.

After watching the first two thirds of Dave’s, you’ll get a background in each of the major components of the workings of the camera. You already know what you like to shoot. You know what’s most important for you to have in a camera. And you know what your budget is. The detailed information in the last third of the video will help solidify your decision.

For example:

Are you mainly going to shoot video? Then you’ll probably want the Sony a7S-III.

Are you new to photography, and want to do vlogging, take family photos, and videos? Then the Sony a6100 may be the way to go.

Be sure to watch this section of the video, because this is where all that information and knowledge comes together for you. Dave covers the features and uses of the following Sony full-frame models:

a9

a7R-IV

a7R-III

a7S-III

a7-III

a7C

And the APC-S models:

a6600

a6400

a6100

He even explains the new fixed lens vlogging sensation, Sony ZV-1

You can compare the similarities and differences by watching this section of the video. Plus you can play it back as many times as you need to so that you can have a good idea of what Sony will be best for you.