Questions from prospective A7Cii or A7CR owner

[Mark B UK]

I'm thinking of buying either an A7Cii or A7CR, coming from -11 years with m43 (currently OM-1, 12-100, 8-25, 25 1.2) and would appreciate input re the questions that will help me decide.

1. How much difference is there in noise and dynamic range between the A7Cii and A7CR at ISOs of 6400 and 12,800?

2. How well protected are these cameras against dust on the sensor, and if there is some, how easy/hard is it to remove?

3. I understand both bodies weigh the same and have the same form factor. Is this correct?

4. If I put a 16-35 f/4 PZ, a 20-70 f/4 or a 50 1.4 (Sony G) on the front of either, when hanging from a strap, will the camera tip forward?

5. Do those two lenses zoom only internally, or do they get longer, with the centre of gravity therefore altering, as they zoom?

6. Does the powered zoom of the 16-35 have any significant impact on battery drain?

7. Are one or both of those lenses good enough to warrant buying the A7CR as opposed to the A7Cii?

8. When shooting 4k video, does a file size constraint on the UHS-II memory card cause video footage to be chopped into multiple files that then have to be recombined into a single one? Or is that only a problem with UHS-I?

9. For those who have bought the A7Cii or A7CR having had m43 (ideally the OM-1), what have you thought, for good and ill, about the switch?

10. Again for those with experience of the kit I'm currently using, what is the performance of the 16-35 PZ, 20-70, 50 1.4 and 70-200 f/4 Sony lenses like relative to the three Olympus ones I'm currently using?

I appreciate some people may be able to answer only certain of the questions, but I'm hoping the wisdom of crowds will help me reach a decision.

 

[alxkrft]

Both OMDS and Sony bodies are highly configurable and their UI design is converging. Maybe with experience you would learn to use both? Mind I swap a GM1, EM1.1 and OM1 that have many more differences than an OM1 and A7Riv.

unfortunately, i dont think thats true for sonyalpha. I asked about customization of EVF/Dispaly information in this thread

help me to understand and like my new camera (AutoWB): Sony Alpha Full Frame E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 

[ahaslett]

Both OMDS and Sony bodies are highly configurable and their UI design is converging. Maybe with experience you would learn to use both? Mind I swap a GM1, EM1.1 and OM1 that have many more differences than an OM1 and A7Riv.

unfortunately, i dont think thats true for sonyalpha. I asked about customization of EVF/Dispaly information in this thread

help me to understand and like my new camera (AutoWB): Sony Alpha Full Frame E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I do not share your concern, maybe OP also doesn’t. If you have found a camera and lenses that meet all your needs, I’d stick with them.

I shoot RAW, so autoWB is an aid, not mission critical. I prefer to keep whites white not warm, so I set that.

A

 

[alxkrft]

Both OMDS and Sony bodies are highly configurable and their UI design is converging. Maybe with experience you would learn to use both? Mind I swap a GM1, EM1.1 and OM1 that have many more differences than an OM1 and A7Riv.

unfortunately, i dont think thats true for sonyalpha. I asked about customization of EVF/Dispaly information in this thread

help me to understand and like my new camera (AutoWB): Sony Alpha Full Frame E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I do not share your concern, maybe OP also doesn’t. If you have found a camera and lenses that meet all your needs, I’d stick with them.

I shoot RAW, so autoWB is an aid, not mission critical. I prefer to keep whites white not warm, so I set that.

A

i was talking about the customizing aspect, that in my opinion is lacking quite a bit on sony

 

[Craig Gillette]

I have an A7Riv and recently added an A6700, having used an A6400 for a while, too. The A7Riv sensor performance will be quite similar to the A7CR and the A6700 is very similar in size and shape. some of these things may be subjective or depend on your interests or subject matter pursuits, how you share or display results, etc.

I'm thinking of buying either an A7Cii or A7CR, coming from -11 years with m43 (currently OM-1, 12-100, 8-25, 25 1.2) and would appreciate input re the questions that will help me decide.

1. How much difference is there in noise and dynamic range between the A7Cii and A7CR at ISOs of 6400 and 12,800?

Photons to Photos gives a graphic depiction of the differences. TBH, I'm interested in looking at the graphs but have trouble making it useful. I'm think those with a lot of experience with different cameras will get more out of it as they see/know what the dots represent in use. I think it's worth looking at the results in comparison photos in reviews. One could use the A7iv and A7Riv and v for comparable results, too. I seldom get into these iso ranges and also am getting apparently good use out of noise reduction software.

I believe there is individual tolerance or acceptance of the differences, and the subject matter makes a difference, too. One will see comments that Camera A is "noisy," or "too noisy" compared to Camera B but others use them and are pleased with the results or a competing brand/body has different, better or worse, objective measured results but doesn't get the comments?

2. How well protected are these cameras against dust on the sensor, and if there is some, how easy/hard is it to remove?

I haven't had serious dust problems. It may depend on environment, how often you change lenses, etc. Most of the time, ifI've noticed dust, blowing it off has worked.

3. I understand both bodies weigh the same and have the same form factor. Is this correct?

I believe so.

4. If I put a 16-35 f/4 PZ, a 20-70 f/4 or a 50 1.4 (Sony G) on the front of either, when hanging from a strap, will the camera tip forward?

Yes.

5. Do those two lenses zoom only internally, or do they get longer, with the centre of gravity therefore altering, as they zoom?

Don't know.

6. Does the powered zoom of the 16-35 have any significant impact on battery drain?

I had an earlier camera and power zoom but nothing to compare it too.

7. Are one or both of those lenses good enough to warrant buying the A7CR as opposed to the A7Cii?

I like the A7Riv's high resolution. I didn't consider it when choosing lenses. I chose my lenses based on focal lengths, price, weight, size, etc.

In isolation, A7Cii or A7CR, I'd take the a7CR in a heartbeat. For walk around travel, I like the smaller form factor. If replacing the A7Riv, I'd likely go with the A7Rv for handling, control features, size for use with larger lenses, etc.

8. When shooting 4k video, does a file size constraint on the UHS-II memory card cause video footage to be chopped into multiple files that then have to be recombined into a single one? Or is that only a problem with UHS-I?

I don't know. I don't do a lot of video. Haven't run into that with the a6700 and UHS-ii cards. I'm vaguely aware of file sizes/allocations but don't know that it's a UHS-I vs UHS-II thing or something else. I used faster UHS-ii for photo file size/transfer speeds in my A7Riv and carried a few over to my a700 where I do a bit of video.

9. For those who have bought the A7Cii or A7CR having had m43 (ideally the OM-1), what have you thought, for good and ill, about the switch?

I find swapping back and forth between cameras can be a bit of a problem, controls being different, etc. But that's a different camera body, not sensor size thing for me.

10. Again for those with experience of the kit I'm currently using, what is the performance of the 16-35 PZ, 20-70, 50 1.4 and 70-200 f/4 Sony lenses like relative to the three Olympus ones I'm currently using?

I appreciate some people may be able to answer only certain of the questions, but I'm hoping the wisdom of crowds will help me reach a decision.

My feeling is the most problematic for some people on the small (so to speak) Sonys is the basic size and shape and then the viewfinders. That's separate from deciding to change sensor size. I would spend some time handling and/or using one to see if you like it.

 

[Blueshound]

I've been following the news and preliminary reviews on the A7CR with interest since these two bodies were announced. I currently use an A7RIV, generally like it, but I've been resistant to upgrading to the RV, primarily due to the weight creep. Just have to draw the line somewhere, primarily for travel.

While I liked the idea of the A7CR, I was apprehensive about the more limited number of Custom buttons, as I make extensive use of those, and also the relatively teeny weeny viewfinder. (The EVF in the RIV may not have the resolution and magnification of that in the RV, but it's a good EVF, and quite sharp.)

This coincided with my transition to eyeglass wearer for distance, from a non-eyeglass wearer. My distance vision had slowly been deteriorating to the point where I really benefitted from correction. At the same time I started to give thought to use of camera EVFs with glasses, which I never had to consider before.

In the last few days I was able to handle an A7CR in a local shop, and look through the EVF. What surprised me was that the EVF experience, while not grand, was adequate. Even more so, the limited magnification and absence of a rubber eye cup meant that I could see most of the frame at once, which I can't do with my other bodies with larger, higher magnification EVFs. A bit of nuance there.

I can get used to the fewer Custom control buttons, and use the Fn menu for a couple of frequently-used settings; fair exchange for the lighter carry weight. At least that's my assessment at the moment - the camera arrives today.

Brian

--
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/blueshound

 

[Craig Gillette]

I've been following the news and preliminary reviews on the A7CR with interest since these two bodies were announced. I currently use an A7RIV, generally like it, but I've been resistant to upgrading to the RV, primarily due to the weight creep. Just have to draw the line somewhere, primarily for travel.

I'm more resistant to paying for an A7Rv. Weight is interesting as I look back to prior cameras and lenses and what I tolerated when I was younger. (Noting that the A7Riv is somewhat smaller and lighter than my D7200 which wasn't one of the larger dslrs.)But I would agree, for travel, weight and bulk is something I'm aware of. Depending on the situations. Car travel and limited, sort of, walking, weight isn't an issue. But, I find the a6700 and aps-c lenses is noticeably smaller/lighter than the a7Riv. A7CR with ff lenses (choosing wisely) would fall in the middle.

While I liked the idea of the A7CR, I was apprehensive about the more limited number of Custom buttons, as I make extensive use of those, and also the relatively teeny weeny viewfinder. (The EVF in the RIV may not have the resolution and magnification of that in the RV, but it's a good EVF, and quite sharp.)

This coincided with my transition to eyeglass wearer for distance, from a non-eyeglass wearer. My distance vision had slowly been deteriorating to the point where I really benefitted from correction. At the same time I started to give thought to use of camera EVFs with glasses, which I never had to consider before.

Yes, my arms got shorter, too. I'm not having much distance trouble but reading needs help - and that's at viewfinder/rear panel distances.

In the last few days I was able to handle an A7CR in a local shop, and look through the EVF. What surprised me was that the EVF experience, while not grand, was adequate. Even more so, the limited magnification and absence of a rubber eye cup meant that I could see most of the frame at once, which I can't do with my other bodies with larger, higher magnification EVFs. A bit of nuance there.

I think there is discussion on the eye cups (or lack thereof) but they do hold one back a little farther. Yet with glasses, I'd prefer not to be banging them up against a harder "plastic" surface. With care I can usually see the whole screen on either the a6700 or A7Riv but it was easier pre-glasses. and with varifocal lenses, it's a bit of a problem and worse if shooting portrait.

I can get used to the fewer Custom control buttons, and use the Fn menu for a couple of frequently-used settings; fair exchange for the lighter carry weight. At least that's my assessment at the moment - the camera arrives today.

Although I like my 28-200, an A7CR with a lighter mid-range would be nice. Then swap lenses if needed. (I had both the a7Riv with the 28-200 and A6700 and 18-135 on a trip. There's a difference.)

Brian

 

[UncleVanya]

This coincided with my transition to eyeglass wearer for distance, from a non-eyeglass wearer. My distance vision had slowly been deteriorating to the point where I really benefitted from correction. At the same time I started to give thought to use of camera EVFs with glasses, which I never had to consider before.

In the last few days I was able to handle an A7CR in a local shop, and look through the EVF. What surprised me was that the EVF experience, while not grand, was adequate. Even more so, the limited magnification and absence of a rubber eye cup meant that I could see most of the frame at once, which I can't do with my other bodies with larger, higher magnification EVFs. A bit of nuance there.

Have you tried adjusting the camera diopter to avoid needing to wear glasses while shooting?

 

[Blueshound]

This coincided with my transition to eyeglass wearer for distance, from a non-eyeglass wearer. My distance vision had slowly been deteriorating to the point where I really benefitted from correction. At the same time I started to give thought to use of camera EVFs with glasses, which I never had to consider before.

In the last few days I was able to handle an A7CR in a local shop, and look through the EVF. What surprised me was that the EVF experience, while not grand, was adequate. Even more so, the limited magnification and absence of a rubber eye cup meant that I could see most of the frame at once, which I can't do with my other bodies with larger, higher magnification EVFs. A bit of nuance there.

Have you tried adjusting the camera diopter to avoid needing to wear glasses while shooting?

Yes. My vision correction isn't so great that I can't use the EVFs by removing my glasses and using diopter correction instead. So I do have choices.

It's early days with the glasses, and also I've just received the A7CR. I know for a fact that with my A7RIV and Panasonic G9 that I can't see the entire frame at one time, even with the G9's ability to make the magnification smaller. Based on a quick try with the CR at the camera shop, I can see the frame more completely on the small EVF. I can use those by taking the glasses off if I want to do that.

Huh! I wouldn't have thought that the small EVF would hold an advantage. But time will tell more.

Brian

 

[UncleVanya]

This coincided with my transition to eyeglass wearer for distance, from a non-eyeglass wearer. My distance vision had slowly been deteriorating to the point where I really benefitted from correction. At the same time I started to give thought to use of camera EVFs with glasses, which I never had to consider before.

In the last few days I was able to handle an A7CR in a local shop, and look through the EVF. What surprised me was that the EVF experience, while not grand, was adequate. Even more so, the limited magnification and absence of a rubber eye cup meant that I could see most of the frame at once, which I can't do with my other bodies with larger, higher magnification EVFs. A bit of nuance there.

Have you tried adjusting the camera diopter to avoid needing to wear glasses while shooting?

Yes. My vision correction isn't so great that I can't use the EVFs by removing my glasses and using diopter correction instead. So I do have choices.

It's early days with the glasses, and also I've just received the A7CR. I know for a fact that with my A7RIV and Panasonic G9 that I can't see the entire frame at one time, even with the G9's ability to make the magnification smaller. Based on a quick try with the CR at the camera shop, I can see the frame more completely on the small EVF. I can use those by taking the glasses off if I want to do that.

Huh! I wouldn't have thought that the small EVF would hold an advantage. But time will tell more.

From what I recall reduced magnification makes longer eye relief easier to achieve.