In a world where photographers are being asked to capture video and filmmakers need to shoot photos, having one tool that can do both is a major asset—especially in the world of wedding photography where it’s often the same team putting together both the photographs and the video. For this type of scenario, Sony’s latest camera solutions offer some of the best options for hybrid shooting.
Here are some of the best hybrid cameras from Sony for wedding photography and videography.
The Top Dog: a1 II
Sony’s latest camera is also their best when it comes to delivering on the photo and video fronts. The a1 II sports a fantastic 50MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS sensor capable of 30 fps continuous shooting even with autofocus and autoexposure on. Capable Pre-Capture features ensure you won’t miss any big moments, and video specs are equally impressive with 8K 30p and 4K 120p, as well as a Dynamic Active Stabilization mode for going handheld.
The a1 II takes the burst shooting and weather sealing of the a9 III, the top-tier autofocus and in-body stabilization from the a7R V, and throws in a handful of new features that make it an obvious choice for high-end work that demands the best of the best. Its dual memory card slots accept CFexpress Type A and SD, and the QXGA OLED EVF has 9.44m-dot resolution and 0.9x magnification to assist in tricky outdoor conditions.
The camera’s BIONZ XR chip and AI Processing Unit aids in autofocus, subject detection, and subject tracking, which can be a major assist when trying to keep focus from jumping to unwanted subjects during a crowded ceremony or reception, especially when people are crossing in front of your shot. Other stats are as strong as you’d expect for a Sony flagship: 50-102400 ISO range, built-in 5 GHz Wi-Fi for wireless transfers, a 3.2" 2.1m-dot 4-axis touchscreen LCD, and much more.
The Global Shutter Revolution: a9 III
The a9 III features a revolutionary full-frame global shutter sensor that makes it perfect for stills and video. No more rolling shutter in video and perfect flash sync at any shutter speed are top-of-the-line features for their respective industries and having both in one camera is incredible.
The a9 III also touts some of the most advanced specs among Sony cameras when it comes autofocus and other tools to help ensure you catch the fleeting moments. Being built primarily for sports photography, the AF system is tuned for speed and accurate subject detection and tracking. This makes it a great fit for weddings where making sure your subjects are in focus, regardless of shooting conditions, is incredibly important.
Two additional key features the a9 III brings to the table are Pre-Capture and Speed Boost modes: Pre-Capture will begin to buffer shots up to a full second before you release the shutter and Speed Boost lets you ramp up your continuous shooting speed while shooting—both modes increase your chances of capturing the perfect moment.
On the video side, the lack of rolling shutter is the distinguishing attribute of the a9 III. Specs-wise, though, it’s capable of 4K recording at up to 120 fps, 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, and 16-bit raw output via HDMI if you’re looking for the most color grading control.
An Awesome All-Arounder: a7 IV
While the a7 IV isn’t the racecar the a9 III is, it’s a more sensible all-arounder for most wedding shooters looking to maximize value while retaining all the photo and video specs you need. It sheds some of the speed-related tech in favor of a higher-res 33MP full-frame sensor and uses a larger 7K oversampling area for video. That lands this camera somewhere in the middle between the high-resolution beast that is the a7R V, the more video-focused FX3, and the speed demon that is a9 III.
The a7 IV is going to appeal to shooters working equal parts in photo and video; its shooting capabilities and AF performance are tuned for both mediums and so is its design. Another plus for the a7 IV, compared to other Alpha cameras, is its price point—it’s more affordable which either means more money for lenses or for even a second matching body (which can be essential for some wedding photographers).
If You Lean More Photo: a7R V
If you lean more towards photography, or want a camera primarily for stills, then the a7R V is going to be a great pick. The “R” is for resolution, and you’d be hard pressed to find another camera that can beat its 61MP sensor. Wedding shooters will enjoy the fine details its sensor can pick up in addition to its wide dynamic range and ability to shoot high-resolution, 8K video.
The a7R V is a great pick for wedding photographers looking to emphasize detail in shots and will especially be ideal for those taking formal and staged portraits, as well as for engagement photo sessions.
It’s also among the speediest cameras from Sony and among the camera bodies to utilize an AI Processing Unit for more intelligent subject tracking and recognition. It’ll be able to easily recognize and track subjects while shooting, ensuring you don’t miss focus at the most critical moments of the wedding.
More for Video, but … : FX3
The FX3 might be questionable as a “hybrid” solution, and I would agree… if it was your only camera. However, that changes if you’re picking up a second or even third body for your kit. Then having a more video-oriented camera like the FX3 is going to have some serious perks.
As a video-first camera, one of the FX3’s main draws is its compact and lightweight size that makes it ideal for handheld use throughout an entire day of shooting, especially at a wedding. Compared to larger rigs, the FX3 is roughly the same size as the a7 and a9 models mentioned above but with a design and feature-set more in line with what a solo video shooter needs. It does still have a mechanical shutter and can be used for stills in a pinch but it tops out at 12MP, though, so it’s not a great choice for photographers wishing to print.
Which to Choose?
Picking from these four will likely depends on how you like to shoot, what you expect to deliver, and, of course, what your budget is. The a1 II is one of the most versatile models around and capable of hitting the top ends of both mediums—but it comes with a hefty price tag that wedding shooters, who likely won’t max out its speed benefits, should consider carefully.
The a7 IV is a jack-of-all-trades and will likely check off all boxes for photographers needing to to shoot video at a wedding. It’s not a specialist’s camera, though, and won’t surpass the a7R V or FX3 with how well those cameras specifically handle photo and video, respectively.
If you’re able to stretch to two bodies, especially if you’re working with a second shooter, then it’s appealing to pair the strengths of the FX3 and a7R V together for the best of both worlds. You can even sub in the a7 IV instead if you’re trying to be more budget conscious. If you’re a solo shooter looking for the most flexibility, then the a9 III is hard to deny as the most well-rounded on this list.
Are you a wedding photographer or filmmaker working with Sony cameras? What’s your go-to setup for shoots? Let us know in the Comments.
