Shoot out between 1670z on A6500 vs. 24105 FE on A7III

StefanMunich

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Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
 
As someone who has used APS-C and FF for several years, sometimes side by side and sometimes exclusively, with different brands I can only say this: if you need better (shallower) DOF or need very high ISO or need better dynamic range, then go FF. If not, you're better off with a good APS-C camera with a good lens than a top-of-the-line FF camera with a mediocre lens (and good lenses are heavier and more expensive on FF).
 
Stay with your a6500 but consider the 18135 as allround lens. Go FF only if you need what FF offers beyond and above APS-C. IQ is in most cases comparable.
 
Well from a cost prospective you will probably have to spend as much as $1800 to move up after you sell your A6500 + 16-70 to the A7III + 24-105 so that is obviously your first consideration. I owned the former and now have the later. For me it was a little different because I already owned a FF Sony A7RIII that I used alongside my A6500 that I intentionally bought for its smaller size and I had the 16-70/4 and the 24/1.8 I used with it. I sold it all and bought the A7III only because I had full frame lenses I could use with it immediately. I later added the 24-105 to give me that one lens walk around capability that I had before.

If you haven't shot FF before consider the step up carefully because of the large costs. I had been shooting FF Canon when I got into Sony for almost 10 years and film before that so I knew what to expect and what I wanted and had full frame glass already that I adapted from the start.

The a6500 is a great setup if the lenses you want are available. Personally they have not done a great job, imho, on providing highest quality APS-C lenses as they could have or as Fuji has that I shot for a while. If you really want to stay with APS-C I would consider Fuji but the FF Sony system if extremely nice if you can afford the costs and want to spend that kind of money.

Steve W
 
Two years ago I sold my 16-70 (kept my NEX-5R & 24mm, f/1.8) and got an A7 with the 24-70, f/4. I had the 70-200, f/4 and wanted the FF sensor to use with this lens. However, I still like the A3000 & 70-200 combination. The 24-70 & A7 balance nicely but I think you would not see any real difference in IQ (except DOF & very high ISO) compared to the 16-70 and A6500.
 
Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?
not that i know of. Most folks who tested the 16-70 did it on th a6000 but the results from imatest should be the same. The 24-105 is usually tested on the A7rii and the results will not really tell you anything about the A7iii.
Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.
I bought and returned the 16-70 because it underwhelmed me. I traded to the 18-105g which i have used for a few years on the A6000. I love it on a gimble.... I tried the A7iii with the tamaron and the 24-105g. The 24-105g is a far better lens than the 16-70 in pretty much ever metric.
I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ,
yes good step up in IQ but i think it depends on what ISO you shot and what your DOF habits look like. I Find the a6000 only good at ISO 800 and under. I felt the A7iii was good at iso 3200 and under.
fun, ergonomics
I think the A6000/6500 ergonomics stink... The A7iii is pretty solid. I think it needs one or 2 more iterations but it is very usable. The A6000 has no weather sealing because none of the apsc lenses are weather sealed. The A7iii and the 24-105 are both weather sealed. They are not well sealed but they actually have rubber gaskets. This helps with water and with dust.
and money and weight.
okay this part apsc is better hands down.
Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.
I would suggest an A7rii... pair it with a few primes and you can crop the heck out of it...
Does anyone own both combinations?
 
Thanks for all the input.
 
Looks like you already have a very solid APS-C kit there. I would not go to FF yet.

But in answer to your question, even middle-of-the-road lenses on FF will out-resolve the best lenses on APS-C. I doubt you will find anyone who has done exactly the test you describe, however.
 
i've been shooting the NEX6 with the CZ 16/70 the past 4-5 years. The camera has started to give me issues so i just picked up an a7riii with the 16-35 F4. I shoot mostly landscape. Daytime photos i cannot tell a difference but for the sunstar effect is a big difference on the 16-35. I've only had it a few days so can't draw any conclusions yet. The reason i upgraded is i'm disappointed in the e-mount lenses and wanted high quality glasses. I think the sensor is excellent on the aps-c. but i shoot mostly iso 100 on a tripod for landscapes.
 
Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
Yes there is a comparison and i have shot both....

Do you want a full frame or crop sensor camera

What can the new camera do that your current one can not do for you.

Are you mainly a people shooter then get the R high resolution version and match it with F 2.8 zooms and F 1.4 primes for the better glass options. To get everything you can out of it.

If you are more a general shooter sure your plan is fine.

**

If the Sony A7iii is a consideration you should wait to see what Nikon introduces this week.

For me the name of the camera does not matter, just what can it do for me and my photography.

**

I will say I hate the screen on the A6500 in bright light it is 100% not usable and the movie record I think is terribly placed.

I have seen rumors of a A6700, but who knows.

If sensor size did not matter and APS-C of the A6500 was a option and video was not that important you should compare the Fuji X system.
 
A7 III set is better in sharpness/resolution, DR, high ISO and AF. FF always win over APS-C when frame the subject into the same AOV in close generation of sensors, no mention A7 III has the best 24mp FF sensor. The sensor in A6500 very likely will be updated in the rumored A6700 with BSI design, likely dual-gain ISO (100 and 640) and likely slightly better DR and better high ISO as well.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
 
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Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
No contest here - 16-70z is too weak in terms of sharpness. Even "soft" 2470z on A7 mark 1 gave me better results than 16-70z on a6300. 24105 FE is sharper than 2470z.
 
Well from a cost prospective you will probably have to spend as much as $1800 to move up after you sell your A6500 + 16-70 to the A7III + 24-105 so that is obviously your first consideration. I owned the former and now have the later. For me it was a little different because I already owned a FF Sony A7RIII that I used alongside my A6500 that I intentionally bought for its smaller size and I had the 16-70/4 and the 24/1.8 I used with it. I sold it all and bought the A7III only because I had full frame lenses I could use with it immediately. I later added the 24-105 to give me that one lens walk around capability that I had before.

If you haven't shot FF before consider the step up carefully because of the large costs. I had been shooting FF Canon when I got into Sony for almost 10 years and film before that so I knew what to expect and what I wanted and had full frame glass already that I adapted from the start.

The a6500 is a great setup if the lenses you want are available. Personally they have not done a great job, imho, on providing highest quality APS-C lenses as they could have or as Fuji has that I shot for a while. If you really want to stay with APS-C I would consider Fuji but the FF Sony system if extremely nice if you can afford the costs and want to spend that kind of money.

Steve W

--
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe! - Words to live by. Albert Einstein
I will admit that, if you feel competent to shoot only with modern autofocus GM lenses, yes, shooting Sony full frame can be expensive.

But...the popularity of Loxia, Samyang, Voigtlander and other manual-focus lenses basically lays waste to this “expensive” challenge.

There are a lot of inexpensive, excellent manual-focus lenses that perform perfectly on Sony full-frame cameras, where the inherent advantages of a full frame sensor pass that of the best APS-C sensors at 4-8 or more times the base ISO. For landscapes, for portraits, and - in the hands of competent photographers - even action sports can be done well with inexpensive MF lenses that can be acquired for less than $200 each - often for less than $50 each.

As I noted in an earlier thread, the purchase of a TechArt Pro AF adapter and appropriate Leicaist adapters can open up the possibilities of 50mm lenses for less than $50 that challenge the vaunted 55/1.8 costing near 20X. I just bought a Canon FDn 200mm f4 for $64 that challenges lenses costing 15-20X for most subjects.

We would not assume that the cost of going to a full-size sedan should use the price of a new Tesla S or Maserati QuattrroPorte as typical. Let’s similarly not predicate the cost of going full frame meaning purchase of costly FE lenses. Many of us find the ~$200 FE 50/1.8 pretty good:



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82a3c095498c474e9fec19fc177df1d1.jpg



b6f6b5b4ca9942ee8c8f485e711df0f0.jpg

And that inexpensive lens performs brilliantly on APS-C, too:

67c285f4e2b54495b6c18ace32bba8d1.jpg
 
I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.
Sorry, no luck on the comparison. I tried the 16-70 a few months back. For years, I'd badmouthed it based on reviews. Then, after taking the 10-18 and 18-200 on vacation, I dedided I don't like switching lenses (when on vacation or out with friends or family) and that a lens that's 16-xx and more compact than the 18-200 would be perfect. I convinced myself that I could live with paying $1000 for a lens that's less than stellar because it's the smallest 24-xx equivalent around (smaller than the A mount 16-80, which I liked very much; smaller than my Nikkor 16-85; smaller than competing mirrorless lenses, too). Ultimately, I found the same thing the reviews reported - subpar corners - noticably subpar. Sharp in the center, but when corners look soft even when stopped down, it doesn't make for a very satisfying travel lens (and a very unsatisfying $1000 purchase).

So sticking with my previous findings - that I wanted something for convenience and that it doesn't have to be stellar - I actually went the other way. Found an open box RX10-III for $800. So far, I've been enjoying it a lot. I still have my DSLR (and my A6500) for more "serious" photography, but this thing has been great for travel. (If it were my only camera, I'd spring for the IV for better AF at the long end).

Ergonomics-wise, I prefer the body, controls and EVF on the RX10. I don't like the lack of dual control dials on the A6500 and I can't get used to the EVF for whatever reason. The A7's bigger body is a little less convenient for toting around handheld, though still reasonable (I think - I've never toted one around ! Only tried it briefly a handful of times). But while the 24-105 has a great reputation, it's a fairly big lens and I think I'd enjoy it as a DSLR replacement, rather than as a convenient travel option.

- Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
 
I'm not a Pro, I switched to A7r3 + Tamron 28-75 FE last week.
I was shooting before with the a6500 + 1670z + 24 f1.8 + 85 f1.8 FE
I sold the APS-C camera and lenses, and kept the 85mm FE.
I think I had a good copy of the 1670z, no issue about the sharpness.

The main improvements with my new system:
- better ergonomy with the bigger body, usable LCD in video mode, great EVF, dual SDCards, etc.
- basically 2 cameras (FF and APS-C) in 1; crop mode at 18Mpixels, the Tamron becomes a 28-112mm
- excellent optical quality of the Tamron. Can take landscapes/portraits/low light without changing the lens.
- Eye AF now works with adapted Canon lenses (with the mc11 + 70-300 IS II at least)
- Improved dynamic range and noise is noticeable. (I shot in RAW and always adjust the shadow/highlights in CaptureOne)
- still Ok for me to carry around, not too heavy (weight is very close to a6500+1670+24mm)
- AF speed and accuracy feel like about the same compared to a6500.

I'm very happy so far with this upgrade
I don't think I would have switched to the Sony 24-105mm, as I would still have wanted a FF prime or 2. The package would have been significantly more expensive and bulkier for my taste.

I can add the Samyang 24mm 2.8 later (that again I can use at 24mm or 35mm in crop mode), if I feel the need to carry a light system sometimes.
Not sure I will keep the Sony 85mm 1.8. I have to compare it with the Tamron at 75mm and decide what I do.
 
Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
Color and resolution the same. Sharpness is a function of the lens. This all really depends on the size of your output. Good glass on each...no real difference even at 16x24.
 
Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
No contest here - 16-70z is too weak in terms of sharpness. Even "soft" 2470z on A7 mark 1 gave me better results than 16-70z on a6300. 24105 FE is sharper than 2470z.
Indeed, an APS-C zoom in this range simply has no competition to a FF counterpart. Since DXO has not tested FE 24-105G so I used very old Canon 24-105L/4.0 IS (mark I) instead on 21mp 5D II to compare to E 16-70 on A6000. In all reviews Sony 24-105 is only quite noticeably better than Canon first version even mark II, no mention A7 III 24mp FF sensor is much better than 21mp old 5D II sensor.

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Comp...USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II__1629_942_164_483

8 vs 12 p-mpix which is based on MTF-50 resolution, not that close even despite A6000 has 3mp more. Sensor size is still the decisive factor. Otherwise why we should not all shoot mFT or 1" sensor cameras? Why even bother 600mm super-tele as Sony RX100-IV also has 600mm eq FL? Sony all just needs to pour lots more pixels into that 1" sensor.
 
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How is the AF noise on the FE50?
I have pretty good hearing - and I never understood the description of the sound as “noise.”

There is a detectable sound, but it is really low. If you had the gain of the built in mike high, it would surely be detectable ON THE AUDIO TRACK of a video made in a totally quiet room. But if you were shooting that video with the EVF under the same circumstances, the AF sound on your video would be a lot quieter than the sound of your breathing through your nose that close to the two internal mikes.

I never use the internal mike except for video at occasional spontaneous events where ambient noise is high. The 50mm AF sound isn’t detected by most subjects - the sound pales compared to DSLR mirror slap.
 
Is there a comparison between 1670z on A6500 and 24105 FE on A7III?

Pictures could look nearly the same or very different in quality, sharpness, color and so on.

I currently own the APS-C combo but always was interested in making the step up, but still wonder if its worth the balance between IQ, fun, ergonomics and money and weight. Especially as I am mostly a travel photographer and lover of the convenience of zooms.

Does anyone own both combinations?
Color and resolution the same. Sharpness is a function of the lens. This all really depends on the size of your output. Good glass on each...no real difference even at 16x24.
“...no real difference even at 16x24.”

Yeah, at base ISO of 100. Crank up to 6400 ISO and the full frame difference is obvious.
 

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