TIPA members selected gear, software, and services in forty photographic categories for 2022. The awards for cameras and lenses are likely to be of most interest to Alphatracks readers

Sony captured four of the twenty-three combined camera and lens awards.

BEST FULL FRAME EXPERT CAMERA

The Sony Alpha 7 IV was selected as The BEST FULL FRAME EXPERT CAMERA. The judges praised the A7 IV’s backlit 33MB sensor, the 15 stops of dynamic range, and low light performance. They were equally struck by the camera’s ability to record one hour of continuous video.

BEST VLOGGER CAMERA

The Sony ZV-E10 scored another gold star for Sony, as it was judged the BEST VLOGGER CAMERA. This wasn’t a huge surprise, as there isn’t much competition in the Vlogging space.

The judges were enamored by the 3-inch flip-around touch screen, the directional mic, and the variety of shooting modes. The judges also highlighted the E-10s array of ports and external connections. Additionally, they cited the E-10’s compatibility with the full complement of E-mount lenses as a major benefit.

BEST FULL FRAME STANDARD ZOOM LENS

Speaking of lenses, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II was judged the BEST FULL FRAME STANDARD ZOOM LENS. The panel highlighted the myriad ways the GM II outperforms the original FE 24-70mm. The judges liked the fact the GMII is smaller and lighter and features quicker focus tracking.

BEST FULL FRAME TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

Another second-generation lens, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, received the nod for BEST FULL FRAME TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS. The panel recognized this 70-200mm focal range is most likely the most popular tele zoom across the board.

Choosing the Sony 70-200 as the “Best” is a testament to how this lens stands out in this crowded focal range. Sony has built this lens with 4X quicker AF speeds while at the same time making it almost 30% lighter than the previous model. The jury also lauded the quiet AF and reduced focus breathing.

Third-Party Lenses also scored Awards

Canon and Nikon optics did receive awards for other focal lengths. Of course, Sony E-mount photographers cannot make use of these lenses directly. Of more interest were third-party optics from Tokina, Sigma, Voigtlander, Laowa, and Tamron. Each of these manufacturers scored a Best award for a particular focal length. Tamron and Sigma were ranked Best in multiple focal lengths.

You can see the entire list of 2022 TIPA awards winners on the association’s website.

There was a time Sony wasn’t considered in the same league as Canon and Nikon. Sony’s ability to excel in the TIPA awards proved those days are long past.

The post No longer an Underdog, Sony cameras and lenses win multiple categories at TIPA 2022 World Awards appeared first on Alphatracks.

If there was any doubt that Sony is the most innovative camera maker, the newly announced Alpha A7 and Alpha A7R prove that the Sony camera engineers are at the top of their game.

To no one’s great surprise, Sony has announced two full-frame, E-Mount cameras.

Until now, all of Sony’s E-mount cameras relied on APS-C size sensors. The new Alpha A7 will feature a 24.3 megapixel, Exmor® CMOS full-frame sensor and sell for $1700 (body only.) You can order the A7 with the brand-new 28-70mm F3.5 – F5.6 full-frame lens for about $2000.

If that isn’t enough firepower for you, you can opt for the Alpha A7R. The A7R features a 36.4 effective megapixel full-frame Exmor® CMOS sensor. The A7R, which boasts a higher pixel count than any of Sony’s Alpha A-Mount dSLR or SLT cameras, will carry a list price of $2,300 (body only.)

These new cameras are intriguing in many ways.

In the first place, although the new cameras carry the same E-mount which was first introduced with the original Sony NEX mirrorless offerings, Sony has dropped the NEX designation for these cameras.

Secondly, with 36mp, the A7R carries more pixels than Sony’s flagship Alpha A99. With a built-in electronic view finder, HD video, fast auto focus, built-in WiFi and magnesium weather sealed body, there is little that the A99 can offer that can’t be done with the A7R. About the only advantage the A99 can boast is native compatibility with Sony and Minolta A-mount lenses. Sony is offering a new full-frame adapters, which will allow users to mount and use A-mount lenses on the A7 and A7R.

Is this the death-knell for the A-mount cameras? Or will Sony continue to develop A-mount SLTs?

Thirdly, the new cameras require new E-mount lenses which can cover a full-frame sensor. You can use your existing E-mount lenses with the A7 and A7R, but you need to use a crop setting or live with heavy corner vignetting. Just as there are full-frame and crop-frame A-mount lenses, going forward there will be two types of E-mount optics. You can use the full-frame lenses with any E-mount camera, but the original APS-C coverage lenses will crop the image on the full-frame cameras, resulting in a lower pixel count with the older lenses. At the same time, for those who want the smallest camera setup possible, full-frame lenses are usually bigger and heavier than dedicated APS-C coverage lenses.

It appears for the foreseeable future, we will see both full-frame and crop sensor lenses in the E-Mount lineup. Currently Sony is offering five new full-frame E-mount lenses in its catalog. I would expect that third party manufacturers will quickly convert some of their full-frame optics into the E-mount to anticipate the desire for new full-frame lenses for the A7 series.

Both cameras will feature the aforementioned weather sealed body and both will offer WiFi and NFC connectively. The cameras will be compatible with Sony’s PlayMemoriesTM app store.

Sony hasn’t forgotten video enthusiasts, and has equipped the A7 series with 1920X1080p AVCHD progressive video at 60fps. Both cameras carry a “live” HDMI connector that can pass video to an external monitor or auxiliary recording device.

The A7 and A7R are expected to be in stores by December, just in time for Christmas.

The A7 series cameras are true game changers, as the A-mount cameras appear to be stepping aside for new professional level E-mount Alphas.

In the words of Bob Dylan; “The times, they are a changing…”

Preorder the A7 at SonyStyle

Preorder the A7 at Amazon.com

Preorder the A7 at B&H Photo

Preorder the A7 with kit lens at SonyStyle

Preorder the A7 with kit lens at Amazon.com

Preorder the A7 with kit lens at B&H Photo

Preorder the A7R at SonyStyle

Preorder the A7R at Amazon.com

Preorder the A7R at B&H Photo

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