Latest Sony Releases: Something For Everyone

Sony has had a massive couple of months delivering an exciting selection of new release cameras with something for everyone. In September, the FX30 was introduced as the first APS-C camera to join the esteemed cinema line. Next was the beginner-friendly ZV-1F vlogging camera. Finally, the highly anticipated resolution heavyweight, the A7R V, was announced. With all this new release action, we thought we’d do a little round-up of what each has to offer.

A7R V: Uncompromising Image Quality and Intelligence

Arguably the hottest announcement was that of the A7R V. In its fifth iteration of the high-resolution line, Sony has bundled many of the most outstanding features from its latest Alpha cameras into one new body and thrown in some extra innovation for good measure. The Mark V has the same incredibly stunning 35m full-frame 61MP BSI CMOS sensor found in its Mark IV predecessor, but it has been paired with the powerful BIONZ XR processor found in the A1. This sensor and processor combination delivers more recording options and advanced stills features, making this a solid choice for hybrid shooters. The body's design is similar to the A7 IV, including the Quick dial on top for easy switching between stills and video modes, but with a new crowd-pleasing 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor. The new design combines the best assets of tilting screens with a side-open, flip-out vari-angle design.

The A7R V has advanced real-time tracking with 693 phase-detection autofocus points that can accurately focus in conditions as low as -4.0EV. But the real gains have come with a newly developed AI Processing Unit that applies artificial intelligence and deep learning to the focusing system. The AI-based autofocus delivers significant improvements in eye and face tracking but now utilises deep learning to recognise body positions to estimate where the eye is and optimise subject recognition and tracking. This new technology even works when faces are obscured or turned away from the camera and in complex scenes with multiple people. The enhanced AF functionality doesn’t just apply to humans and animals. Subject tracking is now available for insects, cars, trains and planes and works in still and video modes.

Improvements have also been made to the 5-axis in-body image stabilisation system. The IBIS in the Mark V can now compensate for up to 8-steps of camera shake. Pretty impressive when you consider other systems offer the same compensation when the camera’s IBIS is combined with stabilised lenses, whereas the A7R V can deliver that even with non-stabilised lenses. Stability is crucial if you’re shooting handheld and intend to squeeze every bit of resolution out of the 61MP sensor.

Although the A7R line has historically been photo-centric, the new Mark V delivers some interesting video capabilities that make it a much more intriguing option for professional photographers looking to incorporate video into their offerings. The A7R V can shoot 8K at 24p 10-bit 4:2:0 and 4K up to 60p 10-bit 4:2:2, both with a 1.2x crop. Other recording options include full-frame uncropped 4K up to 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 binned, an oversampled 4K at 24p and 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 in APS-C crop mode and Full HD up to 120p. There are up to 14 stops of dynamic range to play with in post when filming in S-Log3. But when time and budget don’t allow for extensive editing, there is S-Cinetone for superbly accurate colour straight out of camera. 

There’s loads more to love about the A7R, including burst shooting at 10 fps for up to 583 consecutive compressed raw frames with full-time AF and AE, 240MP images with Pixel Shift Multi Shooting, dual CFexpress A and SD, 16-bit RAW output, Breathing Compensation, AF Assist, Focus Mapping, outstanding 9.44M dot EVF and so on making this a very worthy upgrade over its predecessor.

FX30: Passport to Filmmaking

For budding cinematographers, Sony released the FX30, an affordable gateway into its cinema line. Housed inside an FX3 body is a newly developed 26MP APS-C or Super 35mm BSI CMOS sensor. The smaller sensor equates to a 1.5x crop in full-frame terms and is approximately 20.1 effective megapixels in movie mode. Coupled with Sony’s powerful BIONZ XR processor, this combo enables rich imagery, excellent low-noise handling, and impressive performance in a lightweight body.

Despite its compact size and modest price, there’s an excellent range of recording options and plenty of room to grow with this camera. High-quality 4K recordings are oversampled from the 6K sensor up to 60p in 10-bit 4:2:2. Even faster high-speed shooting is possible at 4K 120p, albeit with a 1.6x crop and in Full HD up to 240p.

Perfect for those just starting out or on tight timeframes that don’t allow for post-production, the FX30 has S-Cinetone, which delivers a film-like feel with true-to-life skin tones straight out of the camera. But for realizing full creative expression with personalized colour grading, the FX30 can capture 14 stops of dynamic range in S-Log3, which is a decent maximum latitude at this price point. Preset and imported LUTs can be applied to the LCD, and there is an HDMI output for more accurate image monitoring during filming.

Although it is positioned as an entry point camera in Sony’s cinema line, this mighty little camera has been loaded up with virtually every feature emerging filmmakers could want, with tons of room to grow creatively. There’s a 3.5mm headphone output and microphone input built-in, and if you want to expand the audio capabilities, you can record up to 4 channels with the optional XLR handle. Dual CFexpress Type A and SD memory slots offer flexibility with data management. Dual base ISO settings with ISO 800 and ISO 2500 both deliver exceptional low-noise performance. It has a Full HDMI input for outputting RAW video to an external recorder and five 1/4"-20 threaded mounting points for easily attaching accessories without needing an additional rig. With Breathing Compensation and Focus Mapping also included, the FX30 delivers a well-rounded video feature set that opens the door for new cinematographers.

ZV-1F: Simplified Vlogging Fun

Perfect for online creatives looking to progress from their smartphones, the ZV-1F is Sony’s entry-level vlogging camera designed for super easy content creation. Borrowing much from the very popular ZV-1, Sony has simplified things further with this latest model to bring it in at a lower price point and make it easier for beginners to pick up and use.  

Unlike the interchangeable lens design of the ZV-1, Sony opted for a fixed 20mm-equivalent f/2.0 Zeiss lens. While this does limit creative options, it keeps the camera much smaller, virtually pocket-sized, and omits any confusion around lens selection. And 20mm is a great focal length choice for what this camera is designed for. It delivers a wider field of view than the human eye, which is great for capturing selfies with a group of friends and also includes sufficient background scenery for context. 

Inside the ZV-1F are a 20.1MP 1" Sensor and BIONZ X image processor that can record 4K at up to 30 frames per second or 1080p up to 120fps for slow motion. Recording is super easy and doesn’t require any advanced photography or videography knowledge to capture excellent results. Shot Mark is a great new feature that helps quickly locate desired scenes and clips for fast sharing to a smartphone. Shot Marks can be added while filming or replaying a video and then used to cut 15, 30 or 60-second portions. Selected scenes can then be transferred straight to a smartphone, saving time and phone storage space.

The Background Defocus Button does precisely as the name suggests by keeping your subject sharp and blurring the background with a single button press. Another handy and easy-to-use feature borrowed from the ZV-1 is Product Showcase.  In this mode, the camera intuitively focuses on the subject’s face, quickly adjusts focus to any object the presenter holds up to the camera, and then accurately returns focus to the presenter’s eye when the item is lowered from the frame. 

The ZV-1F also captures very decent audio thanks to the built-in directional 3-Capsule microphone that collects sound from in front of the camera and comes with an easily attached windscreen that significantly reduces wind noise when shooting outside. The articulating screen makes framing a breeze when self-recording and the touchscreen control makes adjusting settings extremely intuitive. It’s also possible to utilise the camera for live streaming by just plugging it into a computer via USB-C. 

With its small size and very lightweight body weighing just 229 grams, the ZV-1F is the kind of camera you’ll happily carry with you everywhere. Fun features like slow-motion recording, timelapse, and 10 Creative Style presets will inspire you to get out and make more content.

Sony has been busy expanding its vlogging line with the ZV-1F, growing its revered cinema line with the FX30, and announcing the A7R V as the successor to the much-loved A7R line. Seeing lots of sophisticated tech from flagship bodies introduced across the range has been fantastic and means more shooting options for creatives regardless of their budget.