Sony Mirrorless Cameras
Sony Alpha Mirrorless Naming Cheatsheet
1. Sensor Size & Core Lineup
The primary distinction is between Full Frame (designated by the single letter 'R', 'S', or 'C') and APS-C (designated by '6xxx').
| Sensor Size | Naming Convention | Primary Identifier | Core Lineup Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Frame (FF) | Alpha Series (e.g., A7, A9, A1) | Usually a single-digit series (7, 9, 1). | High-end enthusiasts and professionals. |
| APS-C (Crop) | Alpha 6XXX (e.g., A6700, A6400) | Always starts with 6. | Enthusiasts, vloggers, and compact/travel users. |
2. Full Frame (A7 Series) Specialization Letters
The most common confusion comes from the letters added to the A7 series, which denote the camera's primary specialization.
| Letter | Specialization | Focus/Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| A7 (Base/Standard) | All-Rounder / Resolution & Speed Balance | General purpose, video and stills balance. Good entry point for full-frame. |
| A7R (Resolution) | High Megapixels | Stills photography where resolution and detail are paramount (e.g., landscape, studio, commercial). |
| A7S (Sensitivity) | Low Light & Video Focus | Extremely high ISO performance and high-quality video, often with lower resolution sensors for large pixel size. |
| A7C (Compact) | Compact/Vlogging Hybrid | A smaller, rangefinder-style body using an A7 sensor; focused on portability and content creation. |
3. Flagship & Pro Lines
These are single-digit, non-7 series models representing the absolute best in their respective classes.
| Model | Naming | Focus/Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| A9 | Alpha 9 | Speed/Sports/Journalism. Ultimate speed, black-out free shooting, and best-in-class autofocus tracking. |
| A1 | Alpha 1 | The "Alpha." The top-tier flagship model, combining high-resolution (A7R) with high-speed (A9). |
4. Generation/Mark Number
The current generation or "Mark" is indicated by the Roman numeral suffix after the model name.
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| None (implied I) | First Generation | A7 |
| II | Second Generation | A7R II |
| III | Third Generation | A7 III (Often considered the generation that popularized the line) |
| IV | Fourth Generation | A7S III |
| V | Fifth Generation | A7R V |
5. APS-C (A6XXX Series)
The four-digit series indicates the APS-C line. The higher the number, the more advanced the camera, though the meaning of the last two digits can vary by generation.
| Model Structure | Typical Tier | Focus/Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| A6700 | Flagship/Hybrid APS-C | Often includes the latest BIONZ processing, most features, and best video specs. |
| A6400/A6600 | Mid-Range/Reliable | Excellent performance for general stills/video, often lacking some of the flagship video modes. |
| A6100/A6300 | Entry-Level/Budget | Simpler, older technology, or aimed at beginner photographers. |