Back in 2018, I got my first full-frame mirrorless camera: the Sony A7 III. The hype and acclaim for this camera blew everyone away, offering an unprecedented jam-packed performance package and an unbeatable value proposition. It was hot off the heels of its previous unique Alpha brethren including the sorcery see-in-the-dark, low-light sensor of the A7S II or the ridiculous weapon in a compact form factor that was the A6500.
Fast forward 6 years later to October 2024, and Sony continues to dominate the market with its cameras boasting industry-leading features and technology. What better way to celebrate this legacy than with Sony’s inaugural open-to-the-public Scene Tradeshow in Sydney? This event showcased the latest and greatest in digital imaging technology, featuring current heavyweights like the A9III, Sony ZV-E10 II, and Burano – plus much, much more.
This was held at Rozelle’s White Bay Power Station last weekend on September 28th and 29th featuring product demos, industry talks from esteemed guests, and touch-and-try experiences for a range of their products.
Here are some highlights of what I got to experience in Sony’s latest camera offerings:
A9 III – Alpha’s global shutter era begins
- Global shutter and its superior global image readout is now the name of the game as it eliminates rolling shutter!
- Captured some shots of boxers, and with AI-enhanced autofocus and lightning-fast buffering, I had more usable images than I could ask for in just a few seconds of shooting.
- 1/80,000th second shutter speed that can sync with flash was mind-blowing.
FE 85mm 1.4 GM II – 8 years later, the successor arises!
- XD linear motors for autofocus make AF hit rate 3-7 times faster apparently but it’s so fast already!
- Iris-lock switch for its iris ring + 2 function buttons instead of just one on its predecessor
- Better-balanced design plus a weight of 642 grams rather than the 820 grams of the mark 1.
ZV-E10 Mark II – A huge step up from its predecessor
- Updated Sony menu system granting 4K 60FPS 10-bit video, oversampled from 5.6k.
- Sports the larger Z-series battery from its bigger A7 cousins allowing for a more substantial grip and improved handling.
- The redesigned SD card slot placement enhances ease of use.
- Boasts a larger sensor with 26 MP compared to the previous 24 MP.
- Subject detect face to track – can be set to specifically focus on animals, insects, birds and of course, humans.
- Products showcase returns with smooth focus and transition speed performance between object and human face.
Burano – Big Cinema, Small Footprint.
- Same Sony Venice 2 sensor including its 16 stops of dynamic range, dual base ISO (800/3200) and colour science.
- World’s first PL AND E-mount compatible camera accompanying ND and IBIS together in one chassis!
- Up close, it truly is remarkable how small this cinema powerhouse is with all its bells and whistles.
We all hope that the next generation of products brings revolutionary changes rather than small, iterative upgrades. However, with the impressive array of enhancements Sony has packed into their recent releases (especially the ZV-E10 Mark II and A9III), the line between evolution and revolution is delightfully blurred.
Other immersive and inspiring experiences included:
- Play Zone where attendees can drop off their own for a complimentary sensor clean.
- Cinema zone simulating a film set with lighting and a Sony high-end camera multicam setup displaying their Sony Venice 2, Sony FX6, Sony Burano and FX3 in tandem
- A small-scale cinema screening of all the nominees of the Catchlight Film Festival.
- A lounge zone with a lush PlayStation 5 setup nearby for people to recharge and unwind on the latest PS5 games.
- Industry talk sessions featuring esteemed photographers, filmmakers and powerhouse indie creatives
The range of experiences available matched with the hundreds of pieces of gear to explore and test was truly phenomenal. We can’t wait to see Sony’s Scene Tradeshow return in 2025.
Catch up on everything you missed over at the Sony ANZ website.
