ISSUE 125
4 / NEWS
VICTORY V Sony’s speedmaster sets the pace Learn about the fifth- gen Alpha 7 and its brand-new sensor with AI-powered AF for a boost in shooting speed
The middle ground of full-frame mirrorless cameras is hotting up
as Canon’s all-rounder EOS R6 Mark III now faces a new challenge from Sony with its rival A7 V, the long-awaited fifth-generation model. The £2799 Sony features a newly developed 33-megapixel, partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the all-new Bionz XR2 processor with integrated AI acceleration for a boost in autofocus performance, shooting speed and video capability. Paired with the announcement of a new FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II lens, Sony is positioning the A7 V as the definitive all-rounder for filmmakers, photographers and hybrid content creators alike. Sony’s upgraded AI processing unit working inside the next-generation processor gives an approximate 30% increase in real-time recognition AF performance with 759 phase-detection points covering 94% of the frame and sensitivity down to EV -4.0. While rival mid-range cameras offer either a 24.5-megapixel semi-stacked sensor or a 33-megapixel conventional, the new Sony is the only one to offer a 33-megapixel semi-stacked sensor that boasts 4.5x faster readout. This allows blackout-free stills bursts up to 30fps, complete with full AF/AE tracking in 14-bit Raw. Sony also introduces
Sony offers a 33-megapixel semi- stacked sensor that boasts 4.5x faster readout for blackout-free stills up to 30fps
ERGONOMICS UPGRADE
The all-new touchscreen makes low-angle shots a breeze, in horizontal or vertical modes
It has dual card slots, one CFexpress 2.0 Type A as well as one UHS-I/II SD card. Noise reduction and an improved internal mic offer cleaner audio, while the thermal design supports extended 4K recording without overheating. Sony has redesigned the A7 V’s ergonomics and workflow features, adding a four-axis multi-angle touchscreen, dual USB-C ports, an improved grip and battery life rated at approximately 630 shots. sony.com
Pre-Capture, allowing the camera to retrospectively record up to one second before the shutter is pressed. In terms of video spec, the camera secures a major upgrade with new oversampled and high-speed video modes. There is 7K oversampled 4K/60p in full-frame mode, 4K/120p in APS-C crop mode, full pixel readout without binning, advanced Dynamic Active mode stabilisation and new AI- powered auto framing. But there’s no open gate mode or internal Raw video.
To go along with its new Alpha, Sony has also launched the FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II, a refreshed standard zoom lens designed to keep pace with the A7 V’s high-speed burst rate. Key improvements include up Both the new camera and lens are manufactured using 100% renewable energy as part of Sony’s Road to Zero sustainability plan, with packaging made from Sony’s Original Blended Material. Mid-range standard zoom gives boost in performance for everyday use to 120fps AF/AE tracking when paired with compatible bodies such as the A9 III, coordinated optical and in-body stabilisation, faster AF and reduced breathing with better zoom tracking. Lightweight and compact, it’s designed as an ideal everyday partner for hybrid shooters. At £429, it still features nine elements in eight groups, including a single ED element and a trio of aspherical lenses with a seven-bladed aperture.
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