Last updated on December 7th, 2023
Sony makes some of the best cameras for shooting video out there. When it comes to choosing the best Sony camera for video, there are a lot of factors to consider. With so many great options, deciding which Sony camera is right for you can be challenging. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
We’re about to look at nine of the best Sony cameras for videographers and talk about what makes them excellent choices for shooters of all levels. So whether you’re starting out or a seasoned pro, read on to find the perfect Sony camera for your next project!
Best Overall Sony Camera for Video
Sony a7S III
The Sony a7S III is the best overall Sony camera for video. It features a 12MP full-frame mirrorless camera, BSI-CMOS sensor, and ISO 80 to 102400. This camera is perfect for shooters of all levels and is excellent for both beginners and seasoned professionals. With so many great features, it’s no wonder the a7S III is one of the best Sony cameras for videographers.
The Sony a7S III is an excellent camera for shooting video. Some of its key benefits include the ability to film 4K at 120 fps, the inclusion of a mic and headphone jack, and the fully articulated LCD screen. These features make the a7S III an excellent choice for shooters of all levels.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a7S III
Like:
- Class-leading low-light video
- New Touch UI
- Fully articulating touchscreen
- Impressive battery life
- No overheating issues
Dislike:
- Pricier than predecessor at launch
- Low resolution for stills
What Consumers Are Saying
“I am a professional video editor, and I’ve been using the Sony a7siii for about 2 weeks now. I have to say, it is an absolutely incredible camera. The low light performance is unbelievable, and the 4K footage is stunning.”
“I’m not a professional photographer or videographer, but I wanted a good camera to document my life. I did a lot of research before purchasing the Sony a7siii, and I’m so glad I did. It’s an amazing camera and takes beautiful photos and videos.”
“I bought this camera for vlogging, and I love it! The 4K video is super sharp, and the autofocus is great. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the quality of the video.”
Best Budget
Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 is the perfect camera for anyone looking to get started without breaking their budget. This 20MP compact model features a BSI CMOS sensor and ISO 125 – 12800, making it suitable enough quality that even professionals will love using it!
The Sony ZV-1 can film 4K at 30 fps, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to create high-quality videos. Additionally, the mic port allows you to easily capture audio. But the lack of a headphone port means you cannot listen to your audio, which is a downfall. Finally, the fully articulated LCD screen makes it easy to frame your shots and ensure you get the perfect video every time.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony ZV-1
Like:
- Class-leading autofocus
- Bright lens for lovely video bokeh
- Hot shoe and 3.5mm mic port
- The side-flipping screen is ideal for video
- Fits in your pocket
Dislike:
- Average video stabilization
- The touchscreen is still very limited
- Micro USB rather than USB-C
What Consumers Are Saying
“I bought this camera to create some quick social media videos for work, and I absolutely love it! The autofocus is fantastic, and the video quality is great.”
“I was looking for a good quality video camera that I could easily slip into my pocket, and the Sony ZV-1 is perfect. It’s easy to use, and the videos look great.”
“I love the side-flipping screen on this camera as it makes it really easy to frame my shots. The video quality is also excellent.”
Runner-up
Sony a1
The Sony a1 is a 50MP full-frame mirrorless camera with a stacked CMOS sensor and ISO 100 to 32000. It’s runner-up for Best Sony cameras for video due to its impressive specs and features.
The Sony a1 offers impressive filming capabilities, with the ability to film 8K at 30 fps and 4K at 120 fps. This makes it an excellent option for those who want to create high-quality videos. It also has a mic and headphone jack, which allows for better audio recording, and a tilting LCD screen for easy viewing. The Sony a1 is an excellent option for a high-quality video camera.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a1
Like:
- Captures incredible detail
- Blisteringly fast AF
- Super-speedy burst shooting
- The rare blend of speed and resolution
Dislike:
- Prohibitively expensive
- Overkill for most photographers
- Complicated menu system
What Consumers Are Saying
“The colors and tones and the blazing fast focus are the best I have yet experienced with a Sony FF camera.”
“You have to expect a lot out of a camera that after tax is just about 7,000 USD. As the title suggests, the images out of this camera are the closest to medium format film I have found. Great highlight retention looks slightly more natural than Sony bodies of the past.”
“I was convinced that my A7R4 was more than adequate, and no need to spend so much more money for the A1. But I finally succumbed to the temptation of the A1.”
Best for Sony Camera for vlogging
Sony RX100 VII
The Sony RX100 VII is a high-end compact point-and-shoot camera for video enthusiasts. It features a 20MP stacked CMOS sensor that provides excellent low-light performance. This compact camera also has an extensive ISO range of 125 to 12800, which means it can handle various lighting conditions. The Sony RX100 VII is an excellent choice for vloggers looking for a high-quality camera that can produce great video footage.
The Sony RX100 VII can film 4K video at 30 fps, which is great for capturing high-quality footage. Additionally, the camera has a microphone port. The port allows you to connect an external microphone for better sound quality. However, the Sony RX100 VII does not have a headphone port, so you will need to use an external speaker to monitor your audio. The camera also has a tilting LCD screen, which helps frame your shots.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony RX100 VII
Like:
- Fast, sticky face detection
- High level of user control
- Impressive AF speeds and adherence
- Low noise at moderate ISOs
- Solid build and pocketable form
- Decent zoom range for a 1-inch sensor
Dislike:
- Lacks a built-in ND filter
- Touch functionality is still lacking
- Still no in-camera raw processing
- Corner softness at 24mm and 200mm
- Average battery life
- Body not ergonomically designed
What Consumers Are Saying
“Honestly… this is a beautiful piece of tech that works just as prescribed. Very very happy with it.”
“I’m a professional photographer, and I bought this camera to use as a vlogging camera. I’m very impressed with the video quality.”
“The Sony RX100 VII is an excellent choice for vloggers looking for a high-quality camera that can produce great video footage.”
Honorable Mentions
Sony a7R IV
The Sony Alpha a7R IV is the latest flagship camera from Sony. It features a 61MP full-frame mirrorless camera, BSI-CMOS sensor, and ISO 100 to 32000. This makes it one of the best cameras for video on the market today.
The Sony Alpha a7R IV can film 4K at 30 fps, has a mic and headphone jack, and has a tilting LCD screen. This makes it one of the best cameras for video on the market today. The mic and headphone jack allow you to easily connect external mics and headphones to the camera. And the tilting LCD screen makes it easy to compose your shots. The 4K video quality is excellent, and the 30 fps frame rate is perfect for capturing fast-moving action.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a7R IV
Like:
- 60.2MP full-frame imaging
- 10fps Raw capture
- Real-Time Tracking autofocus
- 5-axis image stabilization
- Big, crisp EVF
- Tilting touch LCD
- Dual UHS-II slots
Dislike:
- Lower-pixel cameras are better for video
- Phase detection doesn’t extend to the edge of the frame.
- Big file sizes
What Consumers Are Saying
“Traded up from my A7Riii and have to say after having it now for 4 days. it’s a very worthy update.”
“I bought this camera in April and loved it. Highly recommend, great image quality.”
“At 61 mp with all the features of a Sony, this camera is tough to beat. The autofocus is spectacular and the animal eye focusing sensoring makes it a great choice for wildlife photography.”
Sony a7 IV
The Sony a7 IV is a 33MP full-frame mirrorless camera with a BSI-CMOS sensor and ISO 100 to 51200. It is one of the best Sony cameras for video. It has many features that make it an excellent choice for filmmakers.
The Sony a7 IV can film 4K at 60 fps, which is excellent for capturing smooth footage. It also has a mic and headphone jack, which allows you to easily monitor and adjust your audio. And lastly, its fully articulated LCD screen makes it easy to get the perfect angle when filming.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a7 IV
Like:
- Impressive new 33MP sensor
- Class-leading autofocus
- Vari-angle screen
- Powerful video features
Dislike:
- Price hike from A7 III
- 4K/60p video is heavily cropped
- Rivals offer faster burst shooting.
What Consumers Are Saying
“This is, of course, a fantastic camera that can easily replace many other Sony models. It is good enough for 99.9% of amateur and professional users.”
“Although there is a bit of a learning curve, changing from the a7 III to the a7 IV is a game changer.”
“I made a big jump in cameras from a Canon T3i (my late wife’s cam) to this body. Wow, is all I can say.”
Sony a6600
The Sony a6600 is a high-end APS-C mirrorless camera that offers excellent features for video shooting. Its 24MP sensor, ISO 100 to 32000 range, an 5-inch touchscreen display are well-suited for capturing great videos.
The Sony a6600 is an excellent camera for shooting videos. It can film in 4K at 30 fps, has a mic and headphone jack, and a tilting LCD screen. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality camera for video shooting.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a6600
Like:
- Real-Time Tracking focus system
- Big battery
- Improved handgrip
- Integrated EVF
- Stabilized image sensor
- Dust and splash protection
- 4K recording
Dislike:
- Single, slower UHS-I card slot
- No focus joystick or front dial
- Drops in-camera flash
What Consumers Are Saying
“I have not had this long yet but have taken it out a couple times, and I’m really loving it. I switched from a Canon SL3.”
“Online user manual is easy to learn from. Awesome camera!! User friendly, compact yet has many features.”
“I highly recommend the Sony a6600 to travel photographers or people who do not want to carry much weight.”
Sony a6400
The Sony a6400 is a high-end APS-C mirrorless camera that offers excellent features for video recording. It has a 24MP CMOS sensor and can shoot videos at up to 4K resolution. The ISO range of 100 to 32000 allows great shooting in low-light conditions.
The Sony a6400 can film 4K videos at a frame rate of 60 fps, making it an ideal choice for professional video shooters. It also has a mic input but not a headphone jack, which could be a downside for some users. The tilting LCD screen also helps in shooting videos from different angles.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a6400
Like:
- Highly advanced autofocus
- Decent burst shooting speed
- Bright viewfinder
- Good video features
- Good value for the spec
Dislike:
- No built-in image stabilization
- No headphone jack
- 16:9 aspect ratio screen
What Consumers Are Saying
“This is my first mirrorless camera, and my last camera was a Nikon D40, so it’s been A WHILE, but so far, this thing is GREAT!”
“I’m very new to photography, but I’ve been shooting with this thing for a few weeks now, and I absolutely love it. The autofocus is incredible.”
“I think this camera is great for anyone looking to get into photography or videography. It’s got some great features.”
Sony a9
The Sony a9 is a 24MP full-frame mirrorless camera with a stacked CMOS sensor and an ISO range of 100 to 51200. This camera is perfect for video shooters looking for a powerful yet lightweight option.
The Sony a9 can film 4K at 30 fps, making it an excellent choice for shooters looking to capture high-quality video. Additionally, the camera has a mic and headphone jack. The feature allows shooters to monitor audio levels and make adjustments accordingly. With a tilting LCD screen, you can film at odd angles without losing visibility of what’s happening in your video.
What We Like/Dislike About the Sony a9
Like:
- Blistering performance
- High-speed and capable AF
- No viewfinder blackout
- Impressive level of customization
- Excellent results from the 24MP sensor
- High-res viewfinder
- Oversampled 4K footage
Dislike:
- Weather sealing is not as robust as rivals
- No XQD card slots
- Balance is not outstanding with long lenses.
- Minimal touchscreen control
- Battery life is not a match for rivals.
What Consumers Are Saying
“I’ve spent the last few years with an a99ii which has outstanding autofocus capabilities, but this camera is incredible.”
“I have been shooting with the Sony a9 for a few weeks now, and I absolutely love it.”
“The a9 is an amazing camera and well worth the investment.”
“I’m pleased with my purchase of the Sony a9. It’s a great camera for both stills and video.”
Conclusion: Best Sony Cameras
If you’re a videographer looking for a powerful yet lightweight camera, the Sony Sony a7S III may be perfect. This camera will meet your needs with its blistering performance and impressive features.
Alternatively, suppose you’re looking for a great all-around camera that can film 4K videos at 30 fps. In that case, the Sony a6400 may be an excellent option. With its tilting LCD screen and mic input, this camera is perfect for capturing high-quality video footage. No matter your needs, Sony has a camera that will meet them.
When shooting videos, you need a camera that can handle the job. But not all cameras are created equal. Some are better suited for still photography, while others are better for video. Sony has a range of cameras that are perfect for videographers.
These cameras can handle anything you throw at them with decisive autofocus, bright viewfinders, and great video features. Best of all, they’re reasonably priced for the specs. So if you’re looking for an excellent camera for shooting videos, Sony is the way to go.
FAQ
Are Sony cameras good for filmmaking?
Yes, Sony cameras are excellent for filmmaking.
What’s the best Sony camera for 4K video?
The best Sony camera for 4K video is the Sony a7S III.
How much do Sony cameras cost?
Sony cameras typically range in price from $500 to $4,000.
Which is better, Canon or Sony?
There is no clear winner between Canon and Sony. Both brands have their pros and cons. It really depends on your specific needs as a photographer or filmmaker.
