What is the Mysterious Sony Alpha Camera Rumored to Launch Before the End of 2024?

Sony has already had a successful 2024: with the (albeit delayed) launch of the ZV-E10 II and the recent release of their new 85mm G Master lens, the company shows no signs of stopping. But one rumor that has been plaguing the company since early this year is reports that Q4 2024 would see the release of not one, but two Sony cameras. The first is expected to be a successor to the popular FX9 cinema camera, but the other remains a mystery. So what could it possibly be?

The rumors began with leaker Andrea Pizzini reporting in April from a trusted source that two Sony cameras were due in 2024. Here he confirmed that one was expected to be the aforementioned FX9 sequel and that the other was an addition to the Alpha range. This rules out any conflation with the then-unreleased ZV-E10 II. This story hasn’t changed much in the months since, but no new word has emerged regarding this mysterious Sony product. And as the end of 2024 comes into view, our curiosity about what to expect next is only growing. We do have a few suspects that we think are in the running, however.

Sony A1 II

We’ve previously reported on the rumors regarding the Sony A1 II, though we will say that this is the least likely to be released before the end of 2024 - and hedged our bets with an early 2025 prediction - but we haven’t ruled it out entirely. This camera would be an ultra-powerful flagship for Sony, one that could compete with the upcoming Canon R1. Predictions range from mere quality-of-life upgrades to a new and improved camera unlike anything we’ve ever seen, which ironically makes it even harder to concretely make claims about. If an A1 successor is due this year, we’re eagerly anticipating word of its features and release date.

Sony A7RVI

Similarly unlikely in our minds is the Sony A7RVI, following up on the A7R range. Sony’s Alpha 7 lineup has two subgenres: the “S” range for “Sensitivity” in low light, and the “R” range for higher “Resolution”. We saw the A7RV release in 2022, with its 61MP sensor providing near-limitless cropping freedom and the highest level of detail. Given that this was among the latest Sony Alpha releases, we don’t expect a follow-up so soon - but it’s not utterly impossible. This could similarly compete with the Canon R1 on a platform of sheer resolution: a professional camera for those looking to capture every pixel.

Sony a6800

Sony’s APS-C range of Alpha cameras are some of the most popular starter cameras on the market: offering high-performance interchangeable-lens options within a compact body. Last year’s Sony a6700 was an impressive addition to the arsenal: boasting a 26MP sensor and AI-powered autofocus. This is the latest Sony Alpha range to get an upgrade, so we wouldn’t expect another one within a year of the other one. But given the A7CR and A7C II - which were released in tandem with the 6700 and packed a full-frame sensor into a similarly-sized compact body - we wouldn’t rule out some form of Alpha 6000 camera.

Sony A7SIV

One of the primary predictions regarding this new Alpha camera is an addition to the A7S range: the Alpha variants that perform best in low light. The A7SIII released in 2020 with dual-gain ISO for great light reading and 4K 120FPS video recording - a beastly combination. But with a 12.2MP sensor, this 4-year-old camera is long overdue an upgrade. Among videographers and content creators, an A7SIV would still be a popular camera, but due to the more niche specifications of this camera, it likely wouldn’t be a cash cow. Compared to the mainline A7IV, which released a year later with a nearly-tripled 33MP sensor and exceptional performance across photo and video, the A7SIV will need to work hard to beat out a mainline Alpha 7 model.

Sony A7V

It would be Christmas come early if we were to get word of a Sony A7V before the end of 2024. It has been 3 years since the A7IV, one of Sony’s most popular cameras; which offered an exceptional mix of high-resolution, fast shooting, and detailed customization. The A7IV frequently tops lists of the best cameras on the market and is used by enthusiasts and professionals alike. So an upgraded A7V would not only be pertinent but profitable for Sony. Given the advancements in sensor technology, shutter capabilities and autofocus precision that has been made in the intervening years, an A7V with an amalgam of all these features could utterly dominate the camera market for the foreseeable future.

Sony themselves have yet to comment on any of these rumored camera systems, with no word yet on when or what we can expect from the company going forward. We do think a new addition to the Alpha range is due before the end of the year, but the Alpha range is one of the most diverse on the camera market. We’d be happy with any variation on the listed products above, and we can’t wait to see what Sony has in store.