Best Sony Cameras for Video in 2024

Posted on by

For videographers seeking top-tier equipment, Sony video cameras stand out as premier choices. Whether you’re venturing into YouTube content creation or delving into professional wedding cinematography or short film production, Sony’s lineup offers unparalleled performance.

The allure of Sony’s color profiles and extensive lens options often sways videographers towards their cameras. Furthermore, if you already possess Sony lenses, sticking with the brand ensures optimal compatibility and economic sensibility. Hence, when considering a new mirrorless camera for video recording, Sony emerges as the optimal choice.

To aid your decision-making process, we’ve curated a selection of the best Sony cameras renowned for their exceptional video recording capabilities. This assortment caters to both novice videographers and seasoned professionals alike. Simply select the camera that aligns with your filming requirements and embark on your creative journey with confidence.

1. Sony ZV-E10

Best Vlogging Camera for Beginners

Sony ZV-E10 Key Specifications:

  • 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p Video
  • 3.0″ Side Flip-Out Touchscreen LCD
  • 425-Point Fast Hybrid AF
  • Up to 11-fps Shooting, ISO 100-32000
  • Real-Time Eye AF and Tracking
  • Background Defocus & Face Priority AE
  • Directional 3-Capsule Mic and Windscreen
  • Headphone and Microphone Ports
  • Weight: 12.1 oz / 343 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Remarkable 4K video quality with high detail
  • 1080/120p video mode for impressive slow-motion footage
  • Outstanding AF tracking with integrated face and eye detection in the user interface
  • Superb overall image quality
  • Fully articulating touchscreen
  • Livestreaming capabilities
  • Excellent battery life for its class
  • On-board microphone provides decent quality audio
  • 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks
  • Competitive pricing
  • Wide potential in lens range available

Cons:

  • No in-body image stabilization
  • No weather resistance
  • No electronic viewfinder

The Sony ZV-E10 is a fantastic choice for aspiring vloggers and content creators looking to elevate their video content. With its compact and lightweight design, this camera is highly portable and easy to carry around, making it suitable for on-the-go filming. It offers 4K and Full HD video capabilities, allowing you to capture high-quality footage with ease.

One of the standout features of the ZV-E10 is its excellent autofocus system, which includes real-time tracking for eyes and faces. This ensures that your subjects remain sharp and in focus throughout your videos. The camera also features a fully articulated screen, making it convenient for monitoring yourself while filming. Additionally, it comes with a three-way microphone and a windscreen, which help to enhance the audio quality and minimize wind noise.

Despite its beginner-friendly design, the ZV-E10 supports interchangeable lenses, giving you the flexibility to change the look and feel of your shots. This is especially appealing for vloggers who want to experiment with different styles and perspectives. The camera’s E-mount compatibility allows you to use a wide range of lenses, further expanding your creative options.

While the ZV-E10 offers many impressive features, it does have a couple of downsides. The lack of in-body stabilization may result in less stable handheld footage, and the camera exhibits noticeable rolling shutter effect in 4K, which can distort straight lines in the background when filming while moving.

Overall, the Sony ZV-E10 is a highly capable camera that meets the needs of novice vloggers and content creators. Its compact size, interchangeable lens system, and user-friendly features make it a great choice for those looking to level up their video content. Despite a few limitations, the ZV-E10 offers excellent value for its affordable price point.

Sony ZV-E10 Body at B&H, Adorama.

Sony ZV-E10 with 16-50mm Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Read more:

2. Sony a7C

Sony a7C Key Specifications:

  • 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI Sensor
  • BIONZ X Image Processor
  • UHD 4K30p Video with HLG & S-Log3 Gammas
  • 693-Point Hybrid AF System
  • 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 921.6k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization
  • Shooting Up to 10 fps, ISO 50-204800
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Weight: 1.1 lb / 509 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Tiny and lightweight body
  • Powerful 5-axis in-body image stabilization
  • Useful fully articulated screen
  • Superlative tracking autofocus
  • Excellent battery life
  • Great overall video quality

Cons:

  • Small EVF
  • Lacks front dial and other controls

While the ZV-E10 stands as an impressive camera choice, its APS-C sensor introduces a cropping factor during shooting. This limitation is effectively addressed by the Sony A7C, which boasts a full-frame sensor. Positioned as one of Sony’s most budget-friendly full-frame offerings, the A7C delivers exceptional value.

Notably, the Sony Alpha 7C combines affordability with a remarkably compact and lightweight design. This makes it particularly appealing for videographers who frequently find themselves on the move. Despite its diminutive size, Sony has ensured that the A7C remains fully capable.

Indeed, the camera excels in capturing crisp 4K videos renowned for their sharpness, as attested by numerous reviews. While the A7C incorporates in-body image stabilization, which greatly benefits photography, it may exhibit slight limitations in low-light video scenarios. However, the resulting videos are rich in detail. It’s worth mentioning that most full-frame cameras with comparable specifications tend to be bulky.

For those prioritizing a lightweight option to avoid fatigue during extended recording sessions, the Sony a7C emerges as the ideal choice. Moreover, its remarkable value proposition positions it as one of the top contenders for videographers. Despite its relatively modest price tag, the a7C competes admirably with pricier counterparts, offering comparable performance without the bulk.

Sony a7C body at B&H, Adorama.

Sony a7C with 28-60mm Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Read more:

3. Sony FX30

Sony FX30 Key Specifications:

  • 26.1MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K up to 120p
  • Compact Form Designed for Cage-Free Use
  • 10-Bit 4:2:2 XAVC S-I,16-Bit Raw Output
  • S-Cinetone/S-Log3/HLG, 14+ Stops DR
  • Phase Detection AF/Face Tracking/Eye AF
  • Standard ISO 100-32000 | Dual Base ISO
  • Dual CFexpress Type A/SDXC Card Slots
  • User LUTs & Timecode Sync Support
  • Weight: 1.2 lb / 562 g (Body Only)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • 4K/60p, 4K/120p (with crop)
  • Cinema features and Log modes
  • Advanced autofocus system with Real-Time Eye AF
  • Optional XLR handle
  • Attractive price

Cons:

  • Crop in 4K 120p
  • No EVF

For videographers, Sony’s Cinema Line cameras hold a special appeal, with the FX30 being no exception. Contrary to common belief, it’s not priced excessively high. Whether you’re venturing into filmmaking or aiming to capture short films or documentaries in the Super 35 format, the FX30 serves as a solid entry-level choice.

The Super 35 format utilized by the Sony FX30 offers a broader perspective compared to standard 35mm full-frame cameras, enabling you to encompass more within your frame and achieve a distinct ‘cinematic’ look and feel.

If these features align with your videography needs, the Sony FX30 ticks all the boxes. It boasts 4K recording capabilities, compact design, and the convenience of applying user LUTs directly from the onboard display. While many reviews commend its value for money, some users have reported interface lag issues. Additionally, optimal low-light performance may require pairing it with a premium lens.

However, for most users, unless the Super 35 format is specifically desired, the Sony a7C presents a more practical option.

Sony FX30 Cinema Camera at B&H, Adorama.

Read more:

4. Sony a7 IV

Sony a7 IV Key Specifications:

  • 33MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS BSI Sensor
  • Up to 10 fps Shooting, ISO 100-51200
  • 4K 60p Video in 10-Bit, S-Cinetone
  • 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate
  • 3″ 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • 759-Pt. Fast Hybrid AF, Real-time Eye AF
  • Focus Breathing Compensation
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Creative Looks and Soft Skin Effect
  • 4K 15p UVC/UAC Streaming via USB Type-C
  • Weight: 658 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Impressive new 33MP sensor
  • Excellent image quality
  • 10-bit 4:2:2 video and 4K 60p
  • Class-leading autofocus
  • Vari-angle screen
  • Great handling

Cons:

  • Priced for semi-pros, not beginners
  • Cropped S&Q mode

The Sony a7 IV stands out as an exceptional camera versatile enough to excel in both photography and videography. Its adaptability makes it a go-to choice for various purposes, including travel videos, live streaming, and weddings.

If you seek a video camera suitable for any environment, the Sony a7 IV fits the bill perfectly. With outstanding in-body stabilization and autofocus capabilities, it proves itself as a reliable option for videography. Recording videos at up to 4K 60fps ensures exceptional detail and smoothness in your footage.

However, owing to its array of high-end features, the Sony a7 IV comes with a considerable weight and size – some might even call it bulky. If you anticipate prolonged handheld recording sessions, maintaining arm strength is essential. Additionally, the autofocus performance may exhibit some sensitivity in low-light conditions, necessitating caution in such scenarios.

Despite these considerations, the Sony a7 IV remains a dependable choice for most users. For those prioritizing top-tier videography features, the Sony a7S III, listed below, offers the pinnacle of Sony’s capabilities in this regard.

Sony a7 IV body at B&H, Adorama.

Read more:

5. Sony a7S III

Sony a7S III Key Specifications:

  • 12MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K 120p Video, 10-Bit 4:2:2 Internal
  • 16-Bit Raw Output, HLG & S-Cinetone
  • 759-Point Fast Hybrid AF
  • 9.44m-Dot QXGA OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.44m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Extended ISO 40-409600, 10 fps Shooting
  • Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots
  • Weight: 1.5 lb / 699 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • 4K 10-bit 120fps video
  • Class-leading low-light video
  • Face and eye detection autofocus
  • Subject tracking at 10fps
  • Impressive battery life
  • 5-axis IBIS
  • Fully articulating touchscreen
  • Dust and splash protection
  • No overheating issues

Cons:

  • Needs pricey CFexpress Type A cards for best performance
  • Relatively low sensor resolution

While the Sony a7 IV may appeal to some users with its high megapixel count, promising more detailed videos, the Sony a7S III offers enticing features that could sway videographers toward choosing it over the a7 IV, particularly due to its higher frame rates and superior low-light performance.

The Sony a7S III boasts impressive capabilities, capable of reaching up to 120fps in 4K and 240fps in 1080p—double the a7 IV’s potential. Additionally, it excels in higher ISO levels and boasts a superior viewfinder, making it an enticing option for those prioritizing video recording.

Nevertheless, the Sony a7 IV holds its ground with its own set of strengths. It delivers superior detail capture, a lighter build, and enhanced customization options. Features like variable shutter and breathing compensation further enhance its appeal, arguably making it a superior all-around camera.

Ultimately, the choice between the two cameras boils down to personal preference. If you prioritize high frame rates and superior low-light performance for video recording, the Sony a7S III is the obvious choice. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice these features for a more budget-friendly option with excellent detail capture, the a7 IV presents a compelling alternative.

Sony a7S III body at B&H, Adorama.

Read more:

A high-quality camera is essential for capturing top-notch videos, regardless of the content you aim to produce. Thankfully, the selection of best Sony cameras for video outlined above ensures that you have the necessary tools to create visually captivating content.

Read more: