Sony Scores with Triple Success at 2015 TIPA Awards

The prestigious Technical Image Press Association has again recognised Sony’s innovation in the digital imaging industry.

BEST PHOTO / VIDEO CAMERA PROFESSIONAL: a7S

Sony’s strategy of using larger pixels on a full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor

(12.2MP) pays dividends in a very high dynamic range (15.3 stops), excellent

low-light capability (Fast Intelligent AF to -4EV and low noise) and extremely

high sensitivity (extended ISO range 50-409,600). Their “direct pixel readout”

utilizes the entire width of the sensor without line skipping or pixel binning,

which means that both HD and 4K video data is processed from each and

every one of the sensor’s pixels. The unit allows users to shoot with

uncompressed 4:2:2 Full HD and uncompressed QFHD 4K video in 8-bit

4:2:2, with the latter put through to a third-party 4K recorder via HDMI. It

comes equipped with SLog2 gamma, found in Sony’s professional video

cameras, which offers the ability to include a picture profile for gamma,

black, level and colour adjustments that can be saved for use in a multicamera

shoot. Full details of the a7S can be seen here.

BEST CSC ENTRY LEVEL: a5100

Dubbed a “super compact” CSC, the Sony α5100 is about half the size of a

conventional DSLR. The camera holds a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor with the

same gapless on-chip lens structure as the company’s α7R. The camera

delivers a very fast 0.07 second AF acquisition time, with up to 6 frames per

second continuous shooting with AF tracking, aided greatly by the 179-point

phase detection AF sensor. There are numerous video options: Full HD in

cinematic 24p, 60p and 60i frame rates; selectable in-camera XAVC S with a

50Mb/second bit rate; Blu-Ray quality AVCHD; and MP4 codecs, all with

HDMI connectivity. The camera also delivers an impressive ISO range of 100-

25,600. It’s compatible with Sony α E-mount lenses, and α A-mount lenses

with an optional adapter. Full details of the α5100 can be seen here.

BEST MOBILE IMAGING DEVICE: ILCE-QX1

Smartphone photographers often see little point in carrying both phone and

camera for picture making, but more and more come away wanting better

image quality and more shooting flexibility. The Sony QX1 offers true

mirrorless camera capability in a compact, “bodyless” solution. The unit

attaches to a smartphone with an easy adapter or it can also be used

independently of the smartphone if desired with the smartphone used as the

viewfinder via an NFC/WiFi connection. The QX1 has a large APS-C 20.1MP

image sensor, a built-in flash, and a mount to attach any Sony α E lens. Third

party lenses can also be attached via the appropriate mount adaptor. Once a

picture is made it can be stored on both camera and phone memory. The

QX1’s low light performance is clearly superior to that delivered by

smartphones, as are the resultant 30p HD videos. Full details of the ILCE-QX1 can be seen here.