‘Movie capable’ series 3: Get creative with Alpha Series cameras

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Serious photographers need look no further than Sony’s α Series – but not just for stills. It also has loads to offer videographers. Find out what to look for in a high-quality camera and why the outstanding α Series is ideal for video.

Sensors

The first big decision when choosing a more advanced camera is sensor size – either full-frame or APS-C. The α Series includes both types, depending on the model you choose.

In general, full-frame is the premium option: these larger sensors have larger pixels, meaning higher resolution, greater ISO sensitivity and wider dynamic range. APS-C sensors are smaller and give you a ‘crop factor’ – you see a 1.5x cropped version of what full-frame would show you. This is an advantage if you want more of a telephoto angle.

A high-quality sensor will deliver excellent performance. For example, the full-frame Exmor R sensor (found in α 7 III, in α 7R III and α 7R II) delivers high resolution and high-speed data readout. Combined with the BIONZ X processor, it enables super sharp 4K video recording.

Lenses

With a range of compatible interchangeable lenses, you can get creative – whether it’s macro footage of the natural world or sports shot with a telephoto lens (combined with α Series fast autofocus). If you pair a portrait lens with a full-frame sensor, you can highlight your main subject with shallow depth of field and attractive bokeh (defocus effects).

If you already own great cinema lenses from other manufacturers, Alpha cameras will take them with an adaptor. In many cases, you’ll still be able to use your favourite manual control movie lens. (Third-party lenses often won’t work with other brands of non-mirrorless cameras.)

Workflow

When it comes to working with your video, there are more features to make life easier here.

• The latest α cameras can output RAW video to external devices. There’s no compression, meaning better quality.
• If you want 4K and 4K HDR playback but you don’t have a high-powered PC, you can view video on your Sony BRAVIA TV via a USB stick.
• For professional photographers, the S-Log Picture Profile setting preserves dynamic range data when you shoot, so you can grade the image to your requirements in post-production.
• You can also set timecodes in-camera – very useful for your edit or if you plan on synchronising A and B cameras.

High-quality video

With such a wide range of cameras on offer, we always say the first thing you need to do is make your wish list. For starters, there are only a few 4K HDR cameras on the market (and two of them come from Sony!)

If you’re still not sure where to start, check out these three recommendations:

α7 III – shoots 4K HDR. It has a full-frame sensor and offers sensational image quality, plus fast autofocus. 

α7 S II – another impressive full-frame option, which shoots 4K. Renowned for its sensitivity in low light,α7 S II can be used in pitch black settings (something you can’t do with any camcorder nor many other cameras). 

α6500 – an APS-C model that records high-quality 4K (with enough data to produce 6K). It also has image stabilisation and touch-screen AF.