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It was a busy 12 months for brand spanking new cameras and lenses, and few firms have been anyplace close to as prolific as Sony.
The 5 Cameras Sony Launched in 2023
Sony launched 5 new cameras in 2023 and introduced a sixth, the a9 III, which can be accessible subsequent spring.
The Japanese tech large launched its first digicam of 2023, the Sony ZV-E1 vlogging digicam, on the finish of March. The “(virtually) excellent video creator digicam” incorporates a full-frame 12.1-megapixel Exmor R picture sensor, the identical one because the Sony a7S III. It features a strong suite of video options, together with AI-powered autofocus and topic monitoring.
Two months later, Sony adopted the $2,200 ZV-E1 with a way more inexpensive vlogging digicam, the ZV-1 Mark II. The sub-$1,000 content material creator digicam has a a lot smaller sensor and a built-in lens, however is a reliable software at an affordable value.
One other couple of months later, Sony was again with one other “sequel,” the long-awaited Sony a6700 APS-C mirrorless digicam. Calling it “undoubtedly definitely worth the wait,” PetaPixel lauded the a6700 for its fast-scanning 26-megapixel sensor, refined physique design, and across-the-board upgrades.
By mid-July, the corporate had launched two new vlogging cameras and the APS-C a6700. However the place was a brand new full-frame digicam for photographers?
In late August, Sony debuted not one, however two new full-frame cameras, the Sony a7C Mark II and the Sony a7C R. The “entry-level” cameras upended the idea of what an entry-level full-frame digicam could be. For the a7C II, the $2,200 digicam sports activities a 33-megapixel sensor and is the direct successor to the unique a7C, launched in 2020. The a7CR, however, takes the 61-megapixel sensor from the a7R V and places it inside a compact, light-weight physique. In fact, the a7CR units photographers again $3,000, which is way from low-cost, though $900 lower than the a7R V.
That’s the finish of Sony’s new cameras in 2023. In fact, as talked about, Sony did unveil the a9 III months forward of its 2024 launch, and it’s undoubtedly an important announcement Sony made in 2023 — perhaps ever.
5 New Sony Lenses Launched in 2023
To go along with its 5 new cameras, Sony launched 5 new lenses in 2023, bringing the overall variety of accessible E-mount lenses to greater than 70, together with 52 full-frame lenses. Sony’s new lenses have been unfold fairly evenly all year long, with the primary touchdown in January and the latest one, the brand new 300mm f/2.8 G Grasp prime, launching final month.
The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G was Sony’s very personal Child New 12 months. The weird zoom lens, breaking new floor on the vast finish of its focal size vary, is a superb journey lens with spectacular all-around pictures and video efficiency.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 G Grasp adopted the subsequent month, becoming a member of quite a few different 50mm prime lenses for E-mount, together with the superb — however massive and costly — Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM.
After a brief quiet interval, Sony introduced the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II alongside the a6700. Whereas releasing a full-frame zoom subsequent to an APS-C digicam could seem odd, the lens itself is spectacular. It’s compact and light-weight and has some macro capabilities up its sleeve. What’s to not like?
Sony continued its “mark II” strategy later this summer season with the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II. One other dynamite zoom lens, the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, is Sony’s third revised G Grasp lens, following the 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II and 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II zooms. It absolutely received’t be the final G Grasp lens to obtain a contemporary coat of paint, both, as another GM lenses are getting a bit lengthy within the tooth, like 2017’s 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto lens, for instance, which may gain advantage considerably from the identical autofocus upgrades the 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II obtained in 2021.
Ending the 12 months is without doubt one of the most-anticipated, most-requested Sony lenses, the FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS. It’s a spectacular lens and the world’s lightest 300mm f/2.8 lens. Whereas not low-cost, the $6,000 lens has immediately confirmed common with professionals, particularly sports activities photographers.
Grading Sony’s 12 months
It’s excessive time for a little bit of subjective evaluation. By way of high quality and amount, how did Sony carry out in 2023?
On the digicam entrance, Sony, like many others, centered an excessive amount of on vlogging and content material creation for my tastes. Whereas it is a stylish market phase, it’s tough for photographers to get enthusiastic about it.
After the ZV-E1 and ZV-1 Mark II, issues obtained way more attention-grabbing. The Sony a6700 was a very long time coming and is a wonderful APS-C digicam. Ideally, Sony would lean extra into the fanatic market with an APS-C digicam design just like what Nikon and Canon used to do with the D500 and 7D Mark II, respectively. However beggars can’t be choosers; the a6700 was a welcome addition to Sony’s lineup.
The a7C Mark II and a7CR have been additionally nice introductions this 12 months. Whereas the only card slot prevents these from being good choices for some photographers, they bring about high-end options and efficiency to the market at comparatively cheap costs.
If the Sony a9 III counted for 2023, it’d considerably bump Sony’s digicam efficiency. Nonetheless, Sony’s 2023 cameras earn a stable B-minus grade, closely buoyed by the a6700 and a7CR.
In relation to glass, Sony had a dynamite 12 months. From prime to backside, each lens Sony launched in 2023 is compelling and wonderful. There’s not a foul piece of glass within the combine.
It’s unattainable to select the “greatest” Sony lens of the 12 months, given they’re all fairly completely different. Nonetheless, there are two standouts. The 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II is a flexible telephoto zoom, and the 300mm f/2.8 GM is a feat of optical engineering.
For its lenses in 2023, Sony earns an A. The corporate nonetheless has a little bit of a niche on the longest finish of its lens lineup, particularly for light-weight and inexpensive choices, and that’s among the many uncommon few issues holding the E-mount system again from perfection.
Though this isn’t a median, Sony’s 2023 earns an A-minus total. The lenses carry the day, however Sony launched many good merchandise this 12 months. It’s a excessive bar to clear, however may 2024 be even higher for Sony shooters?
