Sony has been one of the few companies that offered a truly diverse range of cameras over the years. They were the first to introduce mirrorless, and they never shied away from being different. Today, we take a look at the devices turning 10 in 2026 and whether they can still be used by young photographers. Let’s dive in.
Sony a99 II
The a99 II is a Sony DSLR featuring a 42MP CMOS sensor. Designed for professionals, it features many buttons and controls, a large LCD, and an EVF. There is also a nice, sturdy build, and if you have used Canon or Nikon before, you will like the wya it is designed. Where the camera really distinguishes itself from other brands is its autofocus. “Here’s where Sony is really taking the cake. In the entire time I used the camera, it may have been misfocused once. That’s it. Canon and Nikon are no slouches either, but the tracking AF on Sony is faster and more accurate,” we said in our review. If that is not enough, then you get image quality. The JPEGs offer rich colors, and the RAW files just enhance them. The latter allows you to get details from the highlights and shadows with ease. The only challenge is high ISO images, and that’s where the Canon 5D Mk IV performs better.
Sony a6500
The Sony a6500 is an APS-C offering from the company that houses a 24MP sensor, a 3-inch 921.6k-dot tilting LCD, and a 2.36m-dot OLED EVF. The device is quite sleek, but it comes with 10 customizable buttons. There is weather sealing, and its autofocus works best with small prime or zoom lenses. The camera can capture highlights, shadows, and details correctly. The colors are decent, as well. Where it shines the most is the high ISO result, which offers clean images up to ISO 25,000. The JPEGs can be used well right out of the camera. Even today, many young photographers go after Sony’s APS-C devices, as they are the only ones that continue to deliver good performance. For its price, the device is quite great.
Sony RX100 V
The RX100 V is a compact camera featuring a 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor, a 24-70mm lens, and a 24fps burst rate and ISO up to 12,800. Since compact cameras are making a comeback, the RX100 V is an ideal solution for many young photographers, but it lacks strong weather resistance like other devices. It also means that if you’re stuck in a blizzard, it’s better to keep it in your pocket. However, we also added, “Street photographers and those who just like having a serious camera at parties will really appreciate much of what this camera has to offer.” The autofocus is quick, but the accuracy could have been better. Thus, it is better to focus and recompose. For a point-and-click, it delivers incredible images, and the RAW files are good enough for most photographers. However, it is better to use JPEGs as they offer a lot of details. If you primarily shoot for social media, this camera is a good choice. It also offers bokeh, the colors are great, and the high ISO images are fabulous up to ISO 6400.