Sony has played a major role in the mirrorless camera development for decades and has maintained its status as one of the leaders and best producers in this segment. In this article, I will highlight what’s the best Sony mirrorless camera for video that you can consider!
Capturing moments in video form has always been an essential part of preserving memories- from parties to weddings to your child’s school activities and so on.
To get all those covered, you need to have the right equipment and mirrorless cameras fits the bill.
Camcorders are history, while mobile phones can only do so much.
Sony mirrorless camera is considered one of the best when it comes to video quality. It will get the job done with its high-resolution video captures preserving all your precious moments of a lifetime!
Here are 5 of the Best Sony Mirrorless Camera for Video
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1. Sony Alpha α7R IV
This is basically targeted for professionals and aside from being one of the best in video department because of its high resolution and exceptional auto focus system, it can also perform other wide range of photography just the same making it an all-around camera with a compact body design!
Featured key specs:
| Type | Mirrorless (with support for interchangeable lens) | WiFi | Yes (built-in) |
| Lens Mount | E-Mount (compatible Sony E-mount lenses) | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Sensor | 35mm Full-frame (Exmor R CMOS sensor) | HDMI port | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X image processing engine | USB port | Yes |
| Effective Pixel | 61.0MP | Mic port | Yes |
| ISO sensitivity | 100-32000 (Expanded: 50-102400) | Headphone port | Yes |
| Burst speed | 10fps | Flash | Built-in flash (supports external flash) |
| Still Image format | JPEG, RAW (Sony RAW) | Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Video | XAVC S, XAVC S HD, AVCHD | Battery | NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion |
| Video format | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 | Battery life | 560 shots (viewfinder) |
| LCD/TFT Monitor | 3.0” Tilting Touchscreen (1.44M dots) | Approx. dimension | 128.9 x 96.4 x 77.5 mm |
| View Finder | OLED EVF (5.76M dots) | Approx. weight | 665g (including battery) |
Notable reviews:
- Pros
- Excellent auto-focus system (567 points phase-detection AF)
- Outstanding video AF tracking and good detail in 4K video
- Full HD capture up to 120fps
- Good dynamic range and noise performance
- 10fps shooting with AF
- Very high resolution- first Sony mirrorless camera with 61.0Mpixels
- Pixel shift multi-shooting (possible to shoot in APS-C mode at 26Mpixels)
- Good and larger grip
- Very good and sharper JPEG image
- Weather sealing
- USB charging
- Good battery life
- Cons
- Complex
- Back focus issues
2. Sony Alpha α7R III
A full-frame camera for professionals that is recommended for its video performance with compact body ergonomics! Moreover, α7R III can also perform better in wide range of subjects making it an ideal and all-around mirrorless camera!
Featured key specs:
| Type | Mirrorless (with support for interchangeable lens) | WiFi | Yes (built-in) |
| Lens Mount | E-Mount (compatible Sony E-mount lenses) | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Sensor | 35mm Full-frame (Exmor R CMOS sensor) | HDMI port | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X image processing engine | USB port | Yes |
| Effective Pixel | 42.4MP | Mic port | Yes |
| ISO sensitivity | 100-32000 (Expanded: 50-102400) | Headphone port | Yes |
| Burst speed | 10fps | Flash | External flash via hot shoe |
| Still Image format | JPEG, RAW (Sony RAW) | Storage media | SD (UHS-I/II), Memory stick Duo/ SD (UHS-I) |
| Video | XAVC S, XAVC S HD, AVCHD | Battery | NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion |
| Video format | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 | Battery life | 530 shots (viewfinder) |
| LCD/TFT Monitor | 3.0” Tilting Touchscreen (2.36M dots) | Approx. dimension | 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7 mm |
| View Finder | OLED EVF (3.69M dots) | Approx. weight | 657g (including battery) |
Notable reviews:
- Pros
- Good auto-focus system (399 points phase-detection AF)
- Improved AF drive speed (good 4K and slow-motion video)
- Full HD capture up to 120fps
- Very responsive (increased in overall speed)
- Good dynamic range and noise performance
- 10fps shooting with AF
- Good JPEG image capture and outstanding resolution
- Pixel shift multi-shooting (possible to shoot in APS-C mode at 18Mpixels)
- Good and larger grip (thicker back section)
- USB charging
- Good battery life
- Weather sealed body
- Cheaper than Sony Alpha a7R IV
- Cons
- Complex
- Tracking of subject can be erratic
3. Sony Alpha α7S III
Another full-frame camera for enthusiasts and hobbyists and could be a backup mirrorless camera for professionals that is also recommended for its video performance and its compact body design!
Featured key specs:
| Type | Mirrorless (with support for interchangeable lens) | WiFi | Yes (built-in) |
| Lens Mount | E-Mount (compatible Sony E-mount lenses) | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Sensor | 35mm Full-frame (Exmor R CMOS sensor) | HDMI port | Yes (standard) |
| Image Processor | BIONZ XR image processing engine | USB port | Yes |
| Effective Pixel | 12.1MP | Mic port | Yes |
| ISO sensitivity | 80-102400 (Expanded: 40-409600) | Headphone port | Yes |
| Burst speed | 10fps | Flash | External flash via hot shoe |
| Still Image format | JPEG, RAW (Sony RAW), HEIF | Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II), CFexpress |
| Video | XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S HD | Battery | NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion |
| Video format | MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 | Battery life | 510 shots (viewfinder) |
| LCD/TFT Monitor | 3.0” Flip-out Touchscreen (1.44M dots) | Approx. dimension | 128.9 x 96.9 x 80.8 mm |
| View Finder | OLED EVF (9.44M dots) | Approx. weight | 699g (including battery) |
Notable reviews:
- Pros
- Very good 4K video capture up to 120p
- Large high resolution EVF (9.44M dots)
- Improved ergonomics for comfortable grip
- More responsive (increased in overall speed)
- Dual card compatible with SD (UHS-I/II) and CFexpress cards
- Superb auto-focus system (full-frame: 759 points phase-detection AF; APS-C: 345 points phase-detection AF)
- More user-friendly interface
- USB charging
- Good battery life
- Weather sealed body
- Cons
- Image stabilization is not the best
- Expensive
4. Sony Alpha α6500
A budget-friendly APS-C system for enthusiasts and a reliable backup camera for professionals focusing on video performance, with enhanced ergonomics for better and comfortable body hand grip even when using bigger lenses!
Featured key specs:
| Type | Mirrorless (with support for interchangeable lens) | WiFi | Yes (built-in) |
| Lens Mount | E-Mount (compatible Sony E-mount lenses) | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Sensor | APS-C (Exmor R CMOS sensor) | HDMI port | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X image processing engine | USB port | Yes |
| Effective Pixel | 24.2MP | Mic port | Yes |
| ISO sensitivity | 100-25600 (Expanded: up to 51200) | Headphone port | No |
| Burst speed | 11fps | Flash | Built-in flash (supports external flash) |
| Still Image format | JPEG, RAW (Sony RAW) | Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I), Memory stick Duo Pro |
| Video | XAVC S, AVCHD, MPEG-4 | Battery | NP-FW50 Lithium-ion |
| Video format | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 | Battery life | 310 shots (viewfinder) |
| LCD/TFT Monitor | 3.0” Tilting Touchscreen (0.92M dots) | Approx. dimension | 120.0 x 66.9 x 53.3 mm |
| View Finder | OLED EVF (2.36M dots) | Approx. weight | 453g (including battery) |
Notable reviews:
- Pros
- Outstanding video quality (able to capture detailed 4K video)
- Good auto-focus system (425 points phase-detection AF)
- More user-friendly menu interface
- Improved ergonomics for comfortable grip
- Good JPEG image quality
- Improved in-body image stabilization
- USB charging
- Cons
- Wireless connectivity issues
- Expensive
5. Sony Alpha α6400
Alpha α6400 promises outstanding 4K video capture capabilities making it a perfect partner for beginners and aspiring vloggers. With the LCD screen’s ability to flip back up 180 degrees to face you while you’re filming or vlogging will help you on your framing and delivery of your content (reason α6400 is highly recommended for this application)!
Featured key specs:
| Type | Mirrorless (with support for interchangeable lens) | WiFi | Yes (built-in) |
| Lens Mount | E-Mount (compatible Sony E-mount lenses) | Bluetooth | Yes |
| Sensor | APS-C (Exmor R CMOS sensor) | HDMI port | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X image processing engine | USB port | Yes |
| Effective Pixel | 24.2MP | Mic port | Yes |
| ISO sensitivity | 100-32000 (Expanded: up to 102400) | Headphone port | No |
| Burst speed | 11fps | Flash | Built-in flash (supports external flash) |
| Still Image format | JPEG, RAW (Sony RAW) | Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I), Memory stick Duo Pro |
| Video | XAVC S, AVCHD | Battery | NP-FW50 Lithium-ion |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Battery life | 360 shots (viewfinder) |
| LCD/TFT Monitor | 3.0” Tilting Touchscreen (0.92M dots) | Approx. dimension | 120.0 x 66.9 x 59.7 mm |
| View Finder | OLED EVF (2.36M dots) | Approx. weight | 403g (including battery) |
Notable reviews:
- Pros
- Great auto-focus system (425 points phase-detection AF)
- Outstanding video quality (able to capture detailed 4K video)
- Good image quality (JPEG, RAW)
- LCD screen can tilt up to 180degree (good for vlogging)
- Compact and lightweight (good for vlogging)
- USB charging
- Cons
- Image stabilization issue
- Difficult to set up and use
- Expensive
Conclusion
Sony had always been a front-runner when it comes to video sophistication and quality!
And is constantly upgrading its mirrorless camera segments to offer more affordable options to its avid users!
With the rise and popularity of vlogging, it’s becoming obvious that compact and portable mirrorless cameras that boast unparalleled video capabilities will have their way in this emerging market as everybody scrambles to have their own YouTube or TikTok channels.
All the models mentioned in this article are 5 of the best Sony mirrorless camera for video application. You can pick the right model that would fit your need. Price will always be the deciding factor. There are models for beginners as well as professionals to choose from!
In closing, as I have earlier explained that these mirrorless cameras’ strength is in video recording.
However, they are also capable of performing a wide range of other subjects that would make them a good companion for your filming expedition!
Thanks for reading and if you have anything to share please leave a comment below!
About Rowe Medialdea:
Hi, I’m Rowe, a mirrorless camera and photography enthusiast. We have created this site to be of help (especially to beginners) by producing easy-to-understand content about mirrorless cameras! Welcome to our website!