Best Sony Full Frame Digital Cameras for 2022

Sony created its first true digital camera in 1997. The Mavica produced 640 X 480-pixel images (~0.3 megapixels) and stored them on a 3.5″ diskette. The diskette was an excellent concept. It allowed an easy way to transfer photos taken on the camera to a desktop computer.

Sony has continued to evolve and improve its line of digital cameras. So what are the best Sony digital cameras today, and which model fits your shooting style?

As your style evolves, know that Sony has a broad ecosystem of cameras with the same lens mount system called E-mount. Using this standard lens mount means that if you start working with one camera and decide to upgrade, any lenses you’ve purchased will work with the new body.

So here is a list of the best Sony digital cameras by style of photography. We’ve included the features that make them appropriate for each style and a list of alternative options to fit your budget.

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If you want, you can jump right to our top overall pick.

Which camera is right for you? Select your shooting style from the list above and let’s explore!

Here we go…

What are the best Sony Cameras?

Sony A7R IV – Best Full Frame Resolution

The A7R IV is our top pick for Nature, Landscape, and Portrait photography. The R stands for resolution, and this body clocks in at an astounding 61 megapixels.

Released in July 2019, the Sony A7R IV is the king of resolution in the Sony line, capturing a whopping 61 MP with excellent color rendition. The camera even has a high-resolution mode that will combine 16 images into a 240 MP capture!

In addition to the high resolution, this sensor has a dynamic range of 15 stops, allowing for a wide variety of natural lighting conditions. This camera will genuinely shine in landscape or nature photography.

The A7R IV is also an excellent choice for a studio portrait camera. With excellent active eye detection and tracking, you can move around your subject and not lose focus.

Features

• 61 Megapixel (9504 x 6336 pixels), full-frame sensor
• 240 Megapixel high-resolution mode
• Good processor (BOINZ X)
• Continuous shooting at 10 frames per second
• Autofocus up to 567 points (Phase Detection)
• 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS)
• High-resolution 5.76 million dot OLED viewfinder
• 4K resolution video recording
• Weather sealed
• 3″ tilting touch screen

Pros

• AI-based Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking
• Bird and Animal Eye AF
• High-capacity batteries
• Full-size HDMI Port

Cons

• Very Pricy
• No Anti-aliasing filter on the sensor (can cause Moiré issues)
• Heavy (~700g or 1.5 lbs)

Alternatives

• Runner Up – Sony A7R III
  • Older Model
  • About $500 less expensive
  • Smaller 42 MP (7952 x 5304) full-frame sensor
  • Electronic Viewfinder has a lower resolution
• Budget Friendly – Sony A7C
  • About half the price
  • Smaller 24MP (6000 x 4000) crop sensor
  • Fewer autofocus points
  • Smaller & lighter body
  • Rangefinder styling
  • Fully articulated screen

Pricing

Sony A7 IV – Best Full Frame for General Use

The A7 IV is our top pick for Wedding and Casual photography.

Released in October 2021, the latest in the Sony A7 line brings many improvements over the previous version. A larger sensor and a faster processor bring an improvement in image quality.

The upgraded processor improves many of the camera’s features. The most impressive is the auto-eye focus. The camera can find and focus on the eye and keep tracking it as the subject moves around the frame.

Most impressively, eye tracking will follow eyes on people, animals, and birds. I was blown away that auto-eye focus also works when capturing video to keep a constant focus on your subject.

The upgraded touch screen allows for quick navigation of the menu system. And the screen is fully articulated, so you can easily set it to face any direction.

Features

• 33 Megapixel (7008 x 4672 pixels), full-frame sensor
• 240 Megapixel high-resolution mode
• Fast processor (BOINZ XR)
• Continuous shooting at 10 frames per second
• Autofocus up to 759 points (Phase Detection)
• 5 axis image stabilization
• High-resolution 3.68 million dot OLED viewfinder
• 4K resolution video recording
• Weather sealed
• 3″ fully articulated touch screen
• 2 memory card slots (CF & SD)

Pros

• AI-based Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking
• Bird and Animal Eye AF
• High-capacity batteries
• Full-size HDMI Port

Cons

• Heavy (~700g or 1.5 lbs)
• Only one card slot supports CF cards

Alternatives

• Runner Up – Sony A7 III
  • Older Model
  • Smaller 24 MP (6000 x 4000) full-frame sensor
  • Tilting screen with limited touch ability
  • Less expensive
• Budget Friendly – Sony A6600
  • About 60% less expensive
  • Smaller 24MP (6000 x 4000) crop sensor
  • Fewer autofocus points
  • Smaller & lighter body
  • Rangefinder styling

Pricing

Sony A7S III – Best Full Frame for Filmmakers

Our best pick for serious videographers is the A7S III. Here the S stands for sensitivity, and the A7S III’s sensor is specifically designed for low-light shooting and outstanding video performance.

Released in July 2020, the Sony A7S III is a considerable upgrade from the previous A7S II. This new version upgrades the sensor, viewfinder, high-speed shooting modes, and real-time eye-tracking focus modes while recording video.

Don’t let the low 12.1 MP sensor size make you discount the A7S III. This specialized version of the advanced Sony sensor is highly optimized to gather light, Making it ideal for capturing video. According to Sony, the A7S III is designed specifically for recording 4K video. The larger pixel size is what delivers that high sensitivity with lower noise.

With the ability to capture 4k video at up to 60 FPS or HD video to 120 FPS, this camera is a videographer’s dream machine.

Another update is that there is no recording limit. The camera can be powered via a USB cable and connected to external storage, so you can keep filming without interruption.

The A7S III is also great for shooting stills in low light, but it doesn’t push beyond other Sony models with its smaller pixel count.

Features

• 12.1 Megapixel (4240×2832 pixels), full-frame sensor
• Fast processor (BOINZ XR)
• Very sensitive sensor allowing for ISO 409,600
• Autofocus up to 759 points (Phase Detection)
• 5-axis image stabilization
• High-resolution 9.43 million dot OLED viewfinder
• Records 4K video up to 120fps
• Records Full HD video at up to 240fps
• 3″ fully articulated touch screen

Pros

• AI-based Real-time Eye AF and real-time tracking
• High-capacity batteries
• Full-size HDMI Port
• 2 Memory Slots – CFexpress Type A or UHS-II SD

Cons

• Very Pricy
• Heavy (~700g or 1.5 lbs)

Alternatives

• Runnder up – Sony A7S II
  • Older Model (discontinued – used only)
  • About $1000 less expensive
  • Slower Processor
  • Electronic Viewfinder has a lower resolution
• Budget Friendly – Sony ZV-E10
  • Specifically created for the Vlog market
  • 80% Cheaper
  • APS-C 24 MP Sensor
  • No electronic viewfinder
  • No high-speed video modes

Pricing

Sony A9 II – Best Full Frame for Sports Photography

Our pick for sports photography is the Sony A9 II. It has improved bust frame rate, buffer size, and eye focus tracking. These updates are specifically for the action and sports photographers, allowing them to keep up with the action and not miss a shot.

Announced in October 2019, the Sony A9 II, designed to be fast and rugged. With a burst mode that can fire at an impressive 20 FPS and a large buffer that it can keep up for over 10 seconds, it is an excellent solution for a sports photographer.

Another key feature is the 693 phase-detection focus points that cover over 90% of the sensor’s image area. These points provide an AI-backed face and eye-tracking that gives the camera one of the fastest and most accurate autofocus systems available.

Features

• 24.0 Megapixel (6000 x 4000 pixels), full-frame sensor
• Fast processor (BOINZ X)
• Continuous shooting at 20.0 fps
• Buffer up to 240 raw images
• Autofocus up to 693 points (Phase Detection)
• 5-axis image stabilization
• 3″ tilting touch screen
• Weather sealed
• Dual memory cards
• Ethernet port

Pros

• AI-based Real-time Eye AF and real-time tracking
• High-capacity batteries
• USB C port
• 2 Memory Slots – CFexpress Type A or UHS-II SD

Cons

• Very Pricy

Alternatives

• Runner Up – Sony A7R III
  • Older Model (discontinued – used only)
  • About $1000 less expensive
  • Slower Processor
  • Electronic Viewfinder has a lower resolution
  • Slower burst mode
• Budget Friendly – Sony A7C
  • 50% Cheaper
  • Lighter
  • Slower burst mode
  • Fewer custom buttons
  • Electronic Viewfinder has a lower resolution
  • 1 SD card slot

Pricing

Sony A1 – Best Overall Full Frame Camera

Our pick for the best overall Sony camera is the flagship model A1. This full-frame mirrorless camera is well-suited to just about any task.

Released in March 2021, the Sony A1 is the very best of the Sony line. This solid camera is created for the professional photographer, bringing together all the top features of the latest A7R, A7S, and A9 bodies.

The A1 uses the latest Sony BIONZ XR processor allowing the camera to capture the action at up to 30 frames per second. The camera’s large buffer will hold about 155 RAW images before slowing the shutter. That coupled with the A1’s incredibly fast eye-tracking focus system makes this camera a shoe-in for professional sports and nature photographers.

For the pro videographers, the camera will create an 8K video at 30p or a 4K video at 120p. These are even better than the latest A7S body. I can’t wait to make slow-motion 4K videos.

The only downside is that the A1 comes at a professional price. At $6500, I won’t be getting one of these for a while, but one can always dream.

Features

• 50.1MP (8640 × 5760) sensor
• High-resolution mode for up to 199 MP
• Improved ​​processor (BIONZ XR)
• 30.0 fps shooting
• Hybrid AF system with 759 PD and 425 CD points
• 9.44M1 dot electronic viewfinder
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization
• 8K 30p and 4K 120p video
• 240 Hz OLED electronic viewfinder
• Digital audio interface
• New heat dissipation structure for >30 minute 8K30p/4k60p recording
• Improved weather-sealing

Pros

• New heat dissipation structure for >30 minute 8K30p/4k60p recording
• AI-based Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking
• Bird and Animal Eye AF
• High-capacity batteries
• Full-size HDMI Port

Cons

• Very Pricy
• No Anti-aliasing filter on the sensor (can cause Moiré issues)
• Heavy (~700g or 1.5 lbs)

Pricing

Conclusions

The Sony cameras we’ve been talking about are all well built and will last for years. So no matter which one you get, it will be a good choice. And with the amazing features these products have to offer, not only are your pictures going to look great but you’ll have access to the best tools on the market.

So whether you need a camera for work or want something fun for personal use, Sony has got what you need!

Now go out there and get some pictures!