Sony A7

The Sony A7 proved that full-frame sensors could thrive without mirror boxes or pentaprisms, revolutionizing the market. Released in 2013 at $1,700, it was the cheapest full-frame interchangeable-lens camera ever made and smaller than most APS-C DSLRs. Canon and Nikon initially dismissed mirrorless as a gimmick, but by 2018, both had rushed to release their own systems, and by 2025, DSLR production had effectively ceased. This camera offers 24.3 megapixels and a full-frame sensor, delivering 30% better low-light performance than the average APS-C rival of its time. The A7 killed the mirror, reshaping the industry's trajectory.