Sony is proud to announce the highly renowned Technical Image Press Association has once again recognised Sony’s performance and innovation with a total of four TIPA awards. This year, Sony has claimed titles including “BEST PROFESSIONAL HYBRID CAMERA ” for the Alpha 9 III and “BEST APS-C EXPERT CAMERA” the Alpha 6700.

BEST APS-C EXPERT CAMERA: Sony Alpha 6700

Designed for content creators who want a very wide range of still and videomaking tools, the Sony Alpha 6700 incorporates a large suite of features adapted from Sony’s Cinema Line series models. Capturing action is made easy with real-time tracking in both video and still modes, an 11 fps still rate, and candid-worthy low light performance with autofocus powered by AI to -3EV. Special video functions include enhanced AI driven auto-framing for subject tracking when vlogging, a wide choice of time lapse settings, and streaming, sharing, and Creative Cloud connectivity via USB and WiFi. The unit also offers a unique format called HEIF, or High Efficiency Image File, that uses less space while preserving image quality. This makes it especially useful for high-frame rate video and storing multiple images in burst, HDR, and similar high data modes.

BEST PROFESSIONAL HYBRID CAMERA: Sony Alpha 9 III

Global shutter systems record all pixels in the frame simultaneously rather than capture with “rolling shutters,” and the Alpha 9 III is the first full frame iteration in a hybrid, or video/still camera. The amazing benefits include a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 sec, framing rates up to 120 frames-per-second with full AF/AE tracking in JPEG and RAW, as well as flash sync at all shutter speeds and a new Pre-Capture function that records the moments that occurred before the shutter was released. For videographers, especially social and sports photographers, global shutters eliminate artifacts and defects like panning jitter, light flicker, and screen tearing, the latter resulting from flash going off during video recording. TIPA editors see global shutter technology leading to a new breed of hybrid cameras that will change what cameras can capture and bring newfound tools and techniques to the pro’s kit.

BEST TELEPHOTO PRIME LENS: Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Steadiness at lower shutter speeds; versatility in all focusing modes; lightweight for long working days; and fast—these are attributes sought by working pros in a tele lens when covering sports, special events and wildlife. TIPA editors agreed that this GM class lens ticks all the boxes, with an added special feature of an 11-blade diaphragm for exciting and distinctive bokeh effects. Delivering impressive resolution and sharpness, even whilst using tele-converters, precise image capture is enhanced by fast, reliable and quiet operation, with three optical stabilisation modes including ones for panning and fast subject capture. Truly lightweight, the lens weighs in at 3.2 lb. (1.45kg) and measures 10.4 inches (0.26m), resulting in balanced and smooth operation when working handheld or on a tripod when capturing video or stills.

BEST MACRO ZOOM LENS: Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II

This classic focal length’s major update brings all the latest focusing and tracking tech into a shorter and lighter-weight body. This is the first zoom lens in its class to offer half-macro capability throughout the zoom range, increasing to full macro when used with the 2x teleconverter. Close focusing capability has been enhanced via a floating focusing element that permits a minimum focusing distance of 10.2 inches (@26cm) at 70mm that, in union with the rounded 9-bladed diaphragm, makes for beautiful bokeh effects. For videographers, new features from Sony’s cinema division include a Direct Manual Focus feature for quick focus ring adjustments in AF modes. Four XD linear motors, two for each of the lens’s focusing groups, support focus tracking while zooming for locked on sharpness, a benefit for still photography as well. Sony’s OSS (Optical Steady Shot) works as a team with the camera body’s stabilisation system to aid in challenging lighting scenarios.