Let me be clear, I am not a professional reviewer. I am certainly not qualified to dive deep into the technicalities of cameras. However, I often look at reviews and performance comparisons. This has led me to think about whether it is the sensor or software that is more important. As each new professional and prosumer camera is announced, it’s natural to assume it will provide the opportunity to create better images. Well, yes up to a point. I was recently struck by a third party image quality comparison between a Sony A7R 11 and the latest A1 11. To all but the most skilled of eyes, there was not a great deal of discernible difference. The A7R 11 is 10 years old, the A1 11 was launched at the end of 2024.
So what’s happening here? Image sensors are getting better and more sophisticated all the time. There’s little doubt that the Sony A1 11 flagship is streets ahead of the A7R 11 but in the right hands both these cameras can produce great images. To my mind one of the key things the latest cameras can do is increase the photographer’s hit rate – the number of images that will be pin sharp even in the most challenging circumstances.
This often comes down to how quickly a camera can recognise its target, lock focus onto, and track a moving subject – so is it sensor or software that matters most. Sure, the image sensor is vitally important but I would argue that it is the software (and hardware) in the A1 11 and the current A7R iteration (A7RV), that really makes a greater difference – particularly when photographing moving subjects. (Of course, you are still going to need top notch glass for the best results.)
I have owned an A7R 11 pretty much from launch and used it for most of the images in my portfolio and, for example, you can achieve great images of surfers using the A7R 11 and Sony’s GM telephoto lenses. However, I’m pretty sure the ‘keeper’ rate will be markedly higher with the more recent cameras.
As a ‘bonus’ for those who shoot tethered using Sony’s Imaging Edge software, the latest cameras also give a little extra remote control capability.
What do you think? Is it the sensor or the focus capabilities that will drive your next camera upgrade?