A7 vs 6D conflicting reviews

[nonproshooterdad]

Checked the comparison of Dpreview reviews of 6D and A7, 6D wins in every ways. Also checked DXOMark sensor reviews, A7 wins in every ways, with tie in ISO.

Why Dpreview gave so low marks to A7? Were they bias on the first mirrorless full frame camera? Or 6D is better in usability in total?

 

[Sean_Jayhawk]

I switched from the 6D to the A7 many years ago. I found the A7 to be better for me in just about every way. The A7 sensor is better and that was a big benefit for the available light shooting I did at the time. The 6D can acquire focus better in the lower light settings and that was the biggest drawback I considered when switching. But I wanted the smaller camera and I was all in on mirrorless at that point (having gone from an NEX 5N to the Canon 6D). I wouldn't buy an A7 today though . . . the technology has grown considerably in the past many years. A7 technology got particularly better after the A7 and A7R.

 

[jptsr1]

I have a 6D2 and a A73. I like the Canon more for its handling. Probably because I've been shooting canon for so long, it just feels better. I like the Sony more for auto focus and dynamic range. Especially after this last update the AF is phenomenal. Even when i'm being "sloppy" in terms of keeping the camera steady and selecting focus points it nails it 99% of the time. In addition to that if I'm even close in terms of exposure there is just so much in the highlights and shadows I can pull back. That said, I'm still 50/50 on which one I walk out the house with.

 

[voronspb]

To my taste, if considering all pros and cons, 6D is clearly better than A7, roughly equal to A7II and loses to A7III by a huge margin.

But every one has his own list of parameters to look for, as well as their weights. So the choice is highly personal here. For example, there is some people who'll easily pick the cheapest Rebel in favor of A7RIII or A9 just because they desperately want looking at the scene with their own eyes, not through the EVF.

 

[golfhov]

Checked the comparison of Dpreview reviews of 6D and A7, 6D wins in every ways.

what is important to you?

Also checked DXOMark sensor reviews, A7 wins in every ways, with tie in ISO.

Why Dpreview gave so low marks to A7?

fow when it was released the a7 was only "ok". In particular lacking low light af sensitivity and fast af held it back.

Were they bias on the first mirrorless full frame camera?

I don't think so. I think it was a case that for that time the technology wasn't that great. It's main selling point seemed to be "smaller" and you accepted tradeoffs. Also the 6d was an absolute bargain when it was released. It didn't have the af speed of the 5diii, the joystiq, dual cards, or a few other things BUT since the af was clustered around the middle of the frame, video wasn't that important at the time, and the sensor was competitive with Canon's higher priced models it offered an excellent value.

Or 6D is better in usability in total?

it all depends. I owned both at the same time and the 6d was definitely the "easier" to use model. using just the center point and recompose you could focus ok in low light and the sensor was competitive enough that favoring one is really splitting hairs. I actually liked the level of control of the a7 better when it came to buttons and dials but th e6d has a bigger spread. and since it is a simpler camera it is "easier" to use. I have come to really like a tilting LCD(and would prefer a fully articulating) for different compositions. The battery life and viewfinder experience is much better on the 6d. So all in all I think there is a lot to compare and if those were my only two options I could easily pick the 6d instead of the a7

Something else at the time of review was that Sony had no value options for lenses. Canon still has more value options BUT it isn't as lopsided as it was at release of the a7

 

[aSevenArr]

Checked the comparison of Dpreview reviews of 6D and A7, 6D wins in every ways. Also checked DXOMark sensor reviews, A7 wins in every ways, with tie in ISO.

Why Dpreview gave so low marks to A7? Were they bias on the first mirrorless full frame camera? Or 6D is better in usability in total?

The 6D is old technology. Noisy whacking mirrors are now not very long for this life, Canon and Nikon are realizing this now.

You can’t blame them for trying to hold on to their old cherished belief system - cameras are like a religion for many.

Plus it must be very difficult reviewing cameras with controls and menus that you don’t really understand.

But.... eventually even the crustiest old reviewer will ‘see the light’

Mirrorless is the future and the A9 in particular demonstrates where this is all heading.

It’s nothing short of awesome.

 

[SQLGuy]

Checked the comparison of Dpreview reviews of 6D and A7, 6D wins in every ways. Also checked DXOMark sensor reviews, A7 wins in every ways, with tie in ISO.

Why Dpreview gave so low marks to A7? Were they bias on the first mirrorless full frame camera? Or 6D is better in usability in total?

DPR's review conclusion is largely based on shooting with native lenses vs the competition (Canon 6D and Nikon D610) at the time. With native lenses, and if size and weight are not much of a concern, these other cameras were better choices, then.

Their pros and cons do break out pros like size, weight, EVF, and ability to adapt lots of lenses, which is why they rank it as good for dedicated legacy lens users.

 

[nonproshooterdad]

Thank you all. I got an A7 very cheap, will play around and decide.