Walt Disney World Upgrades PhotoPass Cameras to Sony A7 IV
Walt Disney World’s PhotoPass photographers have received a gear upgrade. Cast Members at all parks are now using the Sony A7 IV mirrorless camera and the FE 24-105mm f/4 G lens. It’s a significant step up from the Nikon D7500 that Disney has used for years. I should know; it’s the same camera I use, sometimes with that very lens.
Jaime, our favorite tiny artist, recently spoke with a PhotoPass Cast Member about the gear upgrade. Here’s what Charlotte had to say about her new Sony:
“I love the upgrade, and the guests seem to as well! I own two of those cameras at home, so I’m already familiar with the layout.”
Charlotte, a PhotoPass Cast Member
The Sony has many advantages over the Nikon, a camera that was released in 2017. First, its full-frame sensor captures more light than the Nikon’s crop sensor. Since PhotoPass photographers use mounted flashes for nighttime shots, that’s not a huge consideration. But it will certainly help with lower-light daytime shots.
Next, the A7IV offers in-body stabilization (IBIS). Couple that with the new lens’s Optical Steady Shot (OSS), and the Sony can capture ultra-sharp photos.
Sony’s autofocus also wins. The Nikon has 51 points of detection, where the A7 IV has a whopping 759 points covering 94% of the sensor. Again, that might be overkill since PhotoPass sessions are stationary, but it will help create crisper photos. More importantly, the Sony’s eye autofocus capabilities are ideal for PhotoPass pics.
The Sony’s 33-megapixel sensor captures significantly larger images than the Nikon’s 20.9 megapixels. For context, my RAW files from the A7 IV typically come in around 70 MB each. By contrast, Disney’s “large” PhotoPass downloads top out at just 5 MB, far too compressed to take full advantage of the Sony’s resolution. It’s unclear whether Disney will start offering higher-quality downloads that allow guests to print larger photos. But with the new Sony gear, they’ll certainly have the capability.
Finally, the FE 24-105mm is an excellent all-purpose lens. While it’s not the fastest, speed isn’t essential for most PhotoPass situations. What makes it ideal is its versatile zoom range. Photographers can easily capture everything from tight portraits to wide shots that frame the entire Cinderella Castle.
Of course, these upgraded features come at a price. The Sony A7 IV has a retail price of $2,700, and the FE 24-105mm f/4 G lens adds another $1,400. Both products see occasional discounts throughout the year, but Disney probably isn’t waiting for those sales. More likely, they’re benefiting from a bulk discount. Or perhaps we’ll be hearing about a Sony partnership in the future.
Although I no longer use the 24-105mm lens as frequently, I have been able to take some beautiful photos with the Sony combo.
We’re glad to see Disney investing in its PhotoPass gear. The Sony A7 IV and the FE 24-105mm are capable of producing stunning images. Here’s hoping Disney offers higher-quality downloads so guests can fully enjoy the upgrade.
Read more: Yes, You Can Download Your Disney Photopass Photos All at Once
