The Sony A5 could be Sony's next full-frame Alpha camera, according to the latest rumors. And if the whispers are true, this could be one of the most exciting cameras of the year for video and photo enthusiasts. We've recently dealt with stellar full-frame cameras like the Sony A7S III, Canon EOS R5, and Canon EOS R6, but these are all top-of-the-line models with sky-high prices. What if you want to enjoy full frame benefits without paying professional prices? This seems to be where the Sony A5 will be on display, if the rumors are true. Right now Sony has great APS-C mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6400, but the most affordable full-frame model is still the Sony A7 III. So there's certainly a gap in Sony's camera lineup for a Sony A5 (or Sony A6, as it might be called). Based on the rumors so far, there is also reason to believe that the Sony A5 could be geared towards video shooters and YouTubers, like the compact Sony ZV-1...
Sony A5 release date and price
It is not known when the Sony A5 will arrive, but Sony Alpha Rumors is convinced that it will be revealed "in the middle of September", according to their sources. Sony recently registered a new camera model in Taiwan, a process that often points to an upcoming release. This model has an NP-FZ100 battery and a single card slot, both of which point to an entry-level full-frame camera. It's a little early for any concrete pricing leaks - we don't even know if this new model will continue to be called the Sony A5 or Sony A6 - but a tentative rumor from Sony Alpha Rumors suggests it will be priced at "around 1.000". PS This would make it very affordable for a full frame camera and put it on par with the Canon EOS RP, which is currently the cheapest full frame camera you buy. Of course, there will be good reasons for this low price, if the rumors about its design and specifications prove to be true...
Integrated
One of the most interesting rumors about the Sony A5 is that it will have a new design for a full-frame Sony camera, and it could even be the start of a new line (hence the name). Currently, Sony's full-frame models are split between the sport-focused Sony A9 professional line and the Sony A7 line, which caters to professionals and hobbyists alike. The Sony A5 (or Sony A6), then, would be a new entry-level spin on the full-frame Alpha formula. One of the craziest (and perhaps more timid) rumors about the Sony A5 is that it won't have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). That would be highly unusual for a full-frame camera - one of the few examples being the Sigma FP (below) - but it could be a way to keep the A5's price at those supposed €1,000 levels.
![Sigma FP]()
(Image credit: Sigma) These rumors should be treated with a grain of salt, as we heard similar speculation about the Nikon Z5 ahead of launch. This camera turned out to be a traditional EVF-equipped design. Still, despite the lack of leaked images so far, there's good reason to believe that the Sony A5 might not have an electronic viewfinder. Sony recently took this approach with the Sony ZV-1 (below), a compact vlogging camera that dropped the EVF from its RX100 lineup to make it a more affordable option for YouTubers.
![Sony ZV-1]()
(Image credit: Sony) There's a chance Sony takes the same approach here, creating a video-focused full-frame camera with a hinged touchscreen to make up for the lack of an electronic viewfinder. But that's just speculation at this point. If not, the rumors so far suggest that the design of the Sony A5 could have a lot in common with that of the Sony A6000 series, with a compact design that would give it portability rivaling the Sigma FP.
Specifications and Features
If the Sony A5 turns out to be the newly registered camera in Taiwan, we already have some initial clues as to its possible specifications. This recording was for a camera with a Sony NP-FZ100 battery (the one found in most Sony A7 series cameras, plus the Sony A6600). This is one of the main clues that this is probably a full frame camera. The mystery model has also been listed as having a single card slot, which is a sign that this is an entry-level offering, and it will come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has built-in microphone and headphone jacks, two features that are highly compatible with video, and USB-C connectivity.
![Sony A6600]()
The Sony A6600 (above) is currently Sony's best APS-C camera, with IBIS and a built-in electronic viewfinder. (Image credit: Sony) Other than that, all we need to go on so far is Sony Alpha Rumors speculation, which is lacking in further details. However, the site says that "reliable sources" have confirmed that the Sony A5 (or Sony A6) will be a "new full-frame E-mount camera" and an "entry model". One of the key questions, especially if this camera is truly video-focused, is whether or not it will have in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This can be very helpful in reducing the inevitable jitter of manual recording, as well as being an advantage for still photography. If this rumored price tag of around €1,000 is correct, the Sony A5 would almost certainly not have IBIS. The Sony A6600, an APS-C camera with sensor-based stabilization, cost $1,400 / £1,450 / AU$2,399 when it launched. Instead, the camera can include active electronic stabilization, which tracks movement in the frame and applies a slight crop to the image. For now, we'll have to wait for official information or other leaks to get an idea of other specs like sensor resolution, ports, burst shooting, and codecs, but we'll update this page. as soon as we do