- The 'Best Professional Hybrid Camera' award went to the Sony Alpha 9 III, and the 'Best APS-C Expert Camera' award went to the Alpha 6700.
Sony is proud to announce that the prestigious Technical Photo Press Association has once again recognized Sony's performance and innovation with four TIPA Awards. This year, Sony took home the award for “Best Professional Hybrid Camera” for the Alpha 9 III and “Best APS-C Expert Camera” for the Alpha 6700, among others.
Best APS-C expert camera: Sony Alpha 6700
The Sony Alpha 6700 is designed for content creators who need a very wide range of still image and video production tools. The device includes a wide range of functions taken from the models of the Sony Cinema Line series. Event recording is facilitated by real-time tracking in both video and still photo modes. With 11fps shooting and up to -3EV AI AF, it delivers excellent performance even in low-light conditions. Special video features include advanced AI-based automatic shooting for subject tracking. When recording video, a wide range of time-lapse settings, as well as streaming, sharing and Creative Cloud, can be connected via USB and WiFi. The device also offers a unique format called HEIF, or High Efficiency Image File, which uses less space while maintaining image quality. This is especially useful for high frame rate video and storing multiple images in burst mode, HDR, and similar high data modes.
Best professional hybrid camera: Sony Alpha 9 III
Universal shutter systems capture all the pixels in the frame at once, rather than using a 'rolling shutter', and the Alpha 9 III is the first hybrid full-frame, i.e. stills/video camera. Amazing features include a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second, up to 120 fps with full AF/AE tracking in JPEG and RAW, flash sync at all shutter speeds, and a new pre-capture function that records moments before firing. For videographers, especially social and sports photographers, the global shutter eliminates errors such as pan shake, flare and screen tearing caused by flash firing during video recording. TIPA editors see Universal Shutter Technology as heralding a new generation of hybrid cameras that will change the way cameras shoot and bring new tools and techniques to professionals' gear.
Best telephoto lens: Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Consistency at low shutter speeds; Versatility in all focus modes; Light for long work days. Speed – These are the qualities professionals look for in a telephoto lens when covering sports, special events and wildlife. TIPA editors agreed that this GM lens offers it all, and it features an 11-blade diaphragm that delivers a dramatic experience and produces distinctive bokeh effects. It ensures amazing accuracy and sharpness even with the use of teleconverters, and the creation of sharp images is enhanced by fast, reliable and quiet operation, with three optical stabilizers, including a mode for panning and capturing fast subjects. The lens is lightweight at 1.45kg and 0.26m (10.4″), resulting in balanced, smooth operation when working handheld or on a tripod for video or stills.
Best macro zoom lens: Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
A major update to this classic focal length delivers the latest focusing capabilities and tracking technology in a shorter, lighter body. It is the first zoom lens in its class to offer semi-zoom capability throughout the zoom range, which increases to full zoom level when used with a 2x teleconverter. Sony has improved close focus capability with a floating focusing element that allows a minimum focusing distance of 10.2 inches (@26 cm) at 70mm, which combined with a nine-blade rounded diaphragm creates beautiful bokeh effects. For videographers, new features from Sony's Cinema division include Live Manual Focus, which allows quick adjustments to the focus ring in AF modes. Four XD linear motors, two for each lens focus, support focus tracking while zooming for consistent accuracy, which is also useful when shooting still images. Sony OSS (Optical Steady Shot) works with the camera's frame stabilization system to help in difficult lighting conditions.