Sony Alpha cameras: The good and the bad

We're huge fans of Sony's cameras, but there are a few things we'd like to see changed. In this episode we look at what Sony is doing right, and a few areas for improvement.

0:00 - Intro
0:37 - The good
0:41 - Listening to feedback
1:14 - Media management
2:17 - Real Time Tracking
3:14 - Third party lens support
4:40 - The bad
4:47 - Stylish designs
6:09 - Professional video assist tools
7:18 - The numbers game
8:52 - Figure out APS-C lineup
10:21 - Wishful thinking
10:55 - The wrap

Watch our advice for OM Digital Solutions:

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store
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[KrzysztofDziuba------]

Definitely improve their firmware upgrade policy. I guess A7III could still be much improved just by simply porting their new menu system. It would not undercut A7IV sales as whoever needs this body would buy it, but us entry level user would still be happy with these small improvements.

[kefkafloyd]

Sony absolutely has a "vintage" style to pull from, there's decades of Minolta heritage right there.

[jaekimchi]

Oh and Sony needs to introduce focus bracketing on their stills cameras. How it's not already a feature is wild to me.

[Noojtxeeg]

Listening to feedback is a good one. After 10 years of complaining, Panasonic is still adamant about their contrast-based AF.

[riosolar]

It would be really helpful to have a short graphical overview of the customized buttons and dials: Sometimes it is hard to remember where you put certain functions, especially if you don't use this camera every day.

[lemmontree]

1: Better image stabilization and less rolling shutter on APS-C
2: ZV-2 with a 16-35mm lense
3: A dedicated 1" streaming camera

[itcamefromabox]

4:40 - Find someone who will stare at you the way Jordan does 😍

[ontariowildlifeobservation]

A new APS-C camera from Sony with a stacked sensor at 24 megapixels in a full frame body with a normal EVF is what I want to see. Also a new prime lens that is a step up from the 200-600mm G but cheaper than the 600 f/4, like a 500 or 600mm f5.6, or 800mm f/6.3 prime similar to the nikkor 500mm f/5.6 e pf ed vr

[TheSpaceBrosShow]

While I own only Sony lenses, I think its great that there are so many 3rd party options. It makes the system the go-to choice for any budget conscious photographer

[glenklassen]

Great discussion, thanks.
Yes, SONY please refresh the APS-C line starting with replacing the horrible USB micro port to a USB-c port. And then everything else. Need a better touch screen, a new sensor and a newer menu. I have the a6300, a6400, and zve10. My investment in sony APS-C glass is dipping.

[danieldougan]

It would definitely be nice to see Sony replace the a6600 with something more competitive with the Fuji X-T4 / X-H2 in the APS-C space. Likewise, if they could replace the a6100 with an identical camera that just has a better EVF, that would sell very well. Maybe even throw in IBIS for good measure.

[HappyHubris]

Best third party lens selection on a budget, so it's my default choice. You get soooo much more for your money than brands like Fuji, Nikon, or Canon.

I do wish that Sony design teams tried other camera brands every once in a while to not miss big features (e.g., focus stacking or picking aperture/shutter/ISO on the touchscreen).

[DeepteshLovesTECH]

They are pretty much perfect. Well rounded. They have high end cameras costing big bucks as well as great lower end cameras that are very capable.
Class leading AF.
Affordable lens selection due to abundance of 3rd party option.

[JordanCS]

I shot Sony for years, but switched over to the Canon R5 about a year and a half ago. I originally got an RP and then an R6 to dabble with, but two things really pulled me to the Canon, with the biggest being the ergonomics. Sony really needs to fix their ergonomics, and the biggest thing they can do is just move the grip like half a cm further away from the mount. Also big: dust removal....my Sony cameras were dust magnets and even with regular cleaning. I'd end up with dozens of spots on my landscape images that I'd need to clone later. I think I've had to clone like 10 spots on my Canon bodies in a year and a half. Total. So yeah, ergonomics and dust removal.

[marcofabiocarosi]

Great video, thank you! I’d love to see a 7CII and R with more capable sensors and better evf. Design wise, I find the Sony alphas very beautiful and classy in minimalistic way. I wouldn’t change that approach, but Sony could elaborate further.

[quasarkitten]

I’m an a7r IVA user. I’d love to see more computational features. Specifically a built in focus stacking mode like Nikon—even if I have to stack myself on a computer. Would love to see in-camera pixel shift feature, with a clear way to see if you ran into any issues with the stack. I do prefer processing it myself, but I would love to be able to check if things are working on camera. Today I tether to capture one, take the series of images, then combine images in software, look for any issues then start over if I need to.

In terms of hardware features. I don’t need all the speed of the A1, but its stacked sensor let’s ya do pixel shift with a flash at 1/200s. The a7R IVA is limited to 1/8s when using flash and pixel shift. Getting up at or faster than 1/125s would be welcomed.

[jcanracer]

A6400 owner here, and really bummed that APSC feels like its languishing in no-mans-land. I am holding out for Sony to give us an updated a6600 with better IBIS and/or active stabilization (present on newer, cheaper models) and a faster processor to reduce rolling shutter. "Nice to haves" include better touchscreen menu, fully articulated screen, higher resolution screen & EVF, and why can't we get the product display mode that the ZV1 & ZVE10 have? Say it after me Sony: FLAGSHIP APSC!

[cinechimp]

Always solid content guys. Wish they had CFexpress type B, larger cheaper and faster media.

[nazukeoya]

My word I love you two, always cracking me up! I'm a proud A1 owner but would like a few more features.

[huwmorgan]

My biggest issue with Sony is their reluctance to issue new features in firmware. I know that some new features require faster hardware, but there are features that could be introduced to existing cameras via firmware (e.g. non-lossy compressed raw).