The low pass filters have long been used on DSLR cameras. As photography professionals may be aware of, the primary purpose of using a low pass filter is avoiding the Moire effect. However, recent launches from prominent camera manufacturers like Nikon have been found to have no low pass filters. If you are a Sony fan and looking forward to a Sony camera with no low pass filter, we will help you find the best options currently available.
A Definitive Analysis of Sony Cameras Without Anti-Aliasing Filters
Updated to August 2025 | The ultimate guide to sharpness, moiré, and making the right choice.
The Optical Low-Pass Filter: A Primer
The pursuit of ultimate image fidelity in digital photography is a complex endeavor. Central to this is the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing (AA) filter. Understanding its function is critical to appreciating why its inclusion or omission is a defining characteristic of a modern digital camera's design philosophy.
Infographic: How an Anti-Aliasing Filter Works
The filter introduces a minute, controlled blur to prevent digital artifacts like moiré.
Without AA Filter (Max Sharpness)
With AA Filter (Moiré Prevention)
Digital Aliasing and Moiré
Digital camera sensors are composed of a finite grid of pixels. Aliasing occurs when a fine, repeating pattern in the scene exceeds the sensor's ability to resolve it accurately. The most common visual manifestations are moiré (distracting, wavy patterns) and false color. These artifacts are embedded into the raw data, making them exceedingly difficult to remove in post-production.
The Shift to Filterless: A Brief History
In the early days of digital photography, sensors had low resolutions (3-6 megapixels). Their large pixels made them highly susceptible to aliasing, so a strong AA filter was essential. The trend towards removing these filters was driven by two key advancements:
Soaring Sensor Resolutions
As sensor resolutions jumped from 24MP to over 60MP, the distance between pixels (pixel pitch) shrank. This allows the sensor to resolve finer patterns natively, reducing the fundamental need for an OLPF to prevent aliasing.
Smarter Image Processors
Modern processors like Sony's BIONZ XR can execute sophisticated algorithms to reconstruct a full-color image. This enhanced processing helps interpret fine details and suppress artifacts, further lessening the reliance on a physical filter.
This shift reflects a calculated decision: to trade the guaranteed safety of a physical filter for the potential of capturing the absolute maximum detail the lens and sensor are capable of resolving.
The Pursuit of Ultimate Sharpness: Analyzing the Trade-Off
Omitting the anti-aliasing filter is a deliberate engineering choice that prioritizes ultimate image sharpness above all else. This choice presents photographers with a distinct trade-off: unparalleled detail rendering in exchange for an increased risk of specific digital artifacts.
The Benefit: Maximizing Sharpness
By removing the optical element responsible for introducing a slight blur, the sensor captures the full, unfiltered information projected by the lens. This results in images that exhibit superior micro-contrast and resolve finer textures, appearing crisper and more detailed. This is invaluable for landscape and architectural photography.
The Risk: Moiré and False Color
Without the filter, a sensor is more susceptible to generating moiré and false color when encountering problematic subjects, like certain fabrics or architectural grilles. These artifacts are written into the raw file and can be very difficult to correct in post-production, especially in video.
Infographic: How Sensor Resolution Mitigates Moiré
Higher resolution sensors have a higher sampling frequency, allowing them to resolve fine patterns that would cause moiré on lower resolution sensors.
Lower Resolution Sensor
Fewer pixels can't accurately sample the fine pattern, causing interference (moiré).
Higher Resolution Sensor
More, smaller pixels can accurately sample the fine pattern, resolving it correctly.
The Comprehensive Guide to Sony's Filterless Camera Lineup
Sony's approach to implementing filterless sensor designs is strategic, tied to the camera's intended purpose, sensor resolution, and target audience. Here is the definitive list, updated to August 2025.
Chart: Resolution of Filterless Sony Cameras
| Camera Model | Resolution | AA Filter Status | Release Status | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Frame | ||||
| Sony α1 II | 50.1 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α1 | 50.1 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α7R V | 61 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α7R IV | 61 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α7R III | 42 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α7CR | 61 MP | None | Current | |
| Sony α7R II | 42 MP | None | Discontinued | |
| Sony α7R | 36 MP | None | Discontinued | |
| Sony α7 IV | 33 MP | Debated (Present) | Current | |
| Sony α7 III | 24 MP | Debated (Weak Present) | Current | |
| APS-C | ||||
| Sony ZV-E10 II | 26 MP | None | Current | |
| Compact | ||||
| Sony RX1R III | 61 MP | None | Announced | |
| Sony RX1R | 24.3 MP | None | Discontinued | |
Note: Table shows a curated list. Models with confirmed strong AA filters (e.g., α7S series) are omitted for clarity.
Chart: Release Timeline of Key Models
The Ambiguous Cases: An Expert Analysis
While many Sony models have a clear-cut filter status, a few popular cameras have been the subject of considerable debate. This confusion arises from Sony's nuanced approach in its mainstream models, balancing sharpness with artifact suppression.
The Sony α7 III: Weak Filter by Design
The 24MP α7 III is one of the best-selling full-frame cameras ever. While incredibly sharp for its resolution, detailed analysis and user reports confirm it has an intentionally weak anti-aliasing filter. This was a calculated compromise by Sony to enhance perceptual sharpness for its most popular all-around camera while retaining a degree of protection against the most severe moiré.
The Sony α7 IV: The Center of the Debate
The 33MP α7 IV generated even more confusion. Its higher resolution puts it in a "borderline" category. However, authoritative technical reviews and direct comparative tests conclude that the Sony α7 IV does have an optical low-pass filter. The confusion is a testament to the filter's optimized, weak design and the camera's excellent sharpness. Sony's decision indicates a strategic choice to prioritize reliability for the broadest user base, including wedding and event shooters who cannot risk moiré.
Contextual Analysis: Why Some Sony Cameras Still Have Filters
Understanding which cameras lack a filter is only half the story. Sony's decision to include a filter in other models is equally deliberate and reveals a clear, use-case-driven strategy. For certain applications, preventing moiré is a higher priority than absolute sharpness.
The 'S' (Sensitivity) Series
Models like the α7S III are designed for low-light and video. Their 12MP sensors have large pixels, making them prone to aliasing. To produce clean, artifact-free video, these cameras are equipped with a strong and effective AA filter.
The Cinema Line (FX Series)
For professional filmmaking with cameras like the FX3 and FX2, reliability is non-negotiable. Moiré in a moving clip can render a shot unusable. Consequently, these cameras are designed with AA filters as a standard feature to meet the rigorous demands of production environments.
Practical Application: Genre-Specific Recommendations
The choice between a camera with or without an anti-aliasing filter has significant implications for different photographic and videographic disciplines. The optimal choice depends entirely on your primary subjects and final output requirements.
Landscape & Architectural Photography
Recommendation: Filterless (e.g., α7R V, α7CR). These genres are the primary beneficiaries of filterless designs. The ability to capture maximum detail is crucial for large prints and rendering fine textures. However, be mindful of moiré on architectural elements like brickwork and grilles.
Portrait, Fashion & Wedding Photography
Recommendation: High-Risk, High-Reward (e.g., α1, α7R V). The increased sharpness can be breathtaking on skin texture and fabrics. However, the risk of moiré on clothing (tweed, herringbone, fine patterns) is a significant concern. A filterless camera demands more careful composition and readiness to manage artifacts.
Videography & Filmmaking
Recommendation: Use a camera WITH a filter (e.g., α7S III, FX series). For professional video work, reliability is paramount. Moiré in a moving shot is highly distracting and can ruin a take. It is nearly impossible to fix in post. A camera with a confirmed AA filter is the safer, more professional choice.
A Practitioner's Guide to Moiré Mitigation
For those who choose the exceptional sharpness of a filterless camera, managing the risk of moiré is an essential skill. Prevention is always better than a cure, and the most effective way to deal with moiré is to prevent it from being recorded in the first place.
In-Camera Prevention Techniques
- Adjust Aperture: Stopping down the lens to a smaller aperture, such as f/8 or f/11, introduces a natural softening effect known as diffraction. This can function as a weak OLPF, often reducing or eliminating moiré at the expense of a marginal loss in critical sharpness.
- Change Distance: Moiré is highly dependent on how a pattern is projected onto the sensor. Simply moving slightly closer to or farther from the subject changes this projection, which can often break the interference and resolve the issue.
- Alter the Shooting Angle: A small change in perspective can be highly effective. Instead of shooting a patterned surface straight-on, try tilting the camera slightly. This changes the angle of the intersecting patterns and can eliminate the moiré effect.
- Use Burst Mode or Adjust Focus Minutely: Since moiré is sensitive to the exact point of focus, capturing a burst of frames while making tiny adjustments to the focus can yield some images where the artifact is less pronounced or absent entirely.
Post-Production Removal Workflows
When moiré is unavoidable, tools in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop can help. The Adjustment Brush in Lightroom has a dedicated Moiré slider that can desaturate the false color patterns. In Photoshop, more advanced techniques like localized blurring or Frequency Separation offer greater control, but all post-production fixes are a compromise.
Conclusion: A Deliberate and Segmented Strategy
Sony's strategic use of the anti-aliasing filter across its camera lineup reveals a sophisticated, multi-tiered approach to product design tailored to specific user needs. The analysis up to August 2025 demonstrates a clear and consistent philosophy: the omission of the AA filter is reserved for cameras where the pursuit of maximum still image resolution is the paramount objective.
This is most evident in the high-resolution "R" series (α7R, α7CR) and the flagship "1" series (α1, α1 II), where the filterless design is a core feature. The "R" moniker in a Sony camera's name has become a reliable shorthand for this design choice. Conversely, Sony's decision to retain the AA filter is equally deliberate, particularly for cameras with a primary focus on video, such as the "S" series and the professional Cinema Line, where artifact-free reliability is non-negotiable.
For the consumer, this segmentation provides a clear, albeit nuanced, choice. Photographers in disciplines like landscape and architecture are well-served by the filterless models. Videographers and hybrid shooters who prioritize reliability should gravitate towards models with a confirmed AA filter. Ultimately, the choice rests on a clear understanding of the trade-off between absolute detail and digital purity.
Also Read: Optical Low Pass Filter vs No Low Pass Filter – What’s The Difference?
What is Low Pass Filter?
The Low pass filter is also known as Anti Aliasing filter or AA filter in the photography circles. The filter is known technically as OPLF or Optical Low Pass Filter. It is placed over the sensor and helps you control the aliasing.
What exactly is aliasing? The artifacts or the Moire effects that you observe when shooting fine grid of pixels. This should be evident when you are photo shooting a person wearing fabric that has fine textured clothe. This would happen because each pixel on your sensor would see only red, blue or green colors. Rest of the colors are interpolated with the data from the neighboring pixels. This phenomenon of demosaicing introduces what is known as Moir effect.
The AA filter or low pass filter as it is generally known as typically consists of three layers. The top layer displaces the image slightly horizontally, the second layer filters out the unneeded infrared radiation and the bottom layer displaces the image slightly vertically. Thus the high frequencies in the picture are blurred, and the Moire effect is reduced. However, the use of AA filter also has an adverse impact as well – it reduces the sharpness of your image.
Why are Low Pass Filters are Done Away With?
Well, the low pass filters are quite helpful in reducing the Moire effect, but your images tend to blur. This would reduce the sharpness of your pictures to a considerable extent. Professional photographers consider the lack of sharpness a substantial issue.
If you are a landscape photographer, you would be unimpressed with the high degree of loss in sharpness. The landscapes come with irregular patterns; there are lesser chances of aliasing or Moire effect affecting them. That would necessarily make the filter fewer cameras the best option for the landscape photographers. They would help bring out the better landscape details and a more elegant definition of the objects.
Moreover, higher pixel density would mean you would experience low or no Moire effects or artifacts. Today’s DSLR cameras come with a higher megapixels count and thus would not ideally be affected by the Moire effect.
Are There any Sony cameras without Anti Aliasing filter?
Well, the trend of opting for no anti-aliasing filter started with Nikon’s D800E. Realizing the success of the camera and the benefits offered by the lack of AA filters, Nikon came up with a portfolio of cameras without the low pass filters.
Following suit, even other camera manufacturers followed the trend and launched cameras with higher pixel density and no low pass filter. Sony is not an exception either. It can be considered to be a late entrant in the no anti-aliasing arena with its A7 mirrorless range of cameras. The first Sony camera to offer no low pass filter is the Sony A7R II. The manufacturer followed it up with the latest launch of the company – the Sony RX1R.
1. Sony A7R II
The Sony A7R II is probably the world’s first full-frame back-illuminated camera with CMOS sensor. The camera comes with the 35 mm Exmor sensor and a sensor resolution of 42.4 MP.
Some of the features worthy of mentioning would include
- An excellent image quality
- Faster burst shooting speeds
- A high-quality 4K shooting mode
- High-end customization options
The Pros
- Proven quality of 42.4 MP sensor
- Dual card slot functionality to improve storage requirements
- 10 fps image capturing capability
The Cons
- Lack of built-in flash
- No choice for XQD card slot
2. Sony RX1R
Interestingly Sony has launched two versions of the new full frame camera – the RX1 comes with the low pass filter, while the Sony Rx1R comes with no low pass filter. Sony does not want to disappoint either of its customer bases.
Some of the excellent features packed in include
- A complete resolution without the anti-aliasing filter
- Incredible image quality from the compact camera.
- A wider sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 25600. This ensures the best low light performance
- The ergonomic design to make handling your camera a great experience.
- Options for 14-bit RAW format shooting.
The Pros
- Shooting options in silent mode
- Sharper and detailed images
- Fastest ever autofocus functionality
- Amazing picture quality.
The Cons
- Low pass filter would cause Moire effect
- The fixed length may limit shooting flexibility
- Expensive compared to similar options from other manufacturers.
The Concluding Thoughts
Well, those were a few options available among the Sony cameras with the lack of anti-aliasing functionality. Sony is one of the latest entrants in the realm enthusiast focussed cameras without the low pass filters or anti-aliasing filters and possibly testing the waters with these two launches.
However, we would expect the future generations of Sony cameras to come with no anti-aliasing feature. If they do not entirely ditch the AA filter, we may see dual launches, at least on some major products, as has already been witnessed with the Sony RX1 and RX1R.
Have you used any of those two Sony products without the low pass filter option? In case you have checked out either of them, do share your opinions with us. Also, share your views on the positive or negative effects of ditching the low pass filter or the anti-aliasing filter.
