Trying to decide between the A7Cii and the A7R.

[Lichtspiel]

I went through the same decision a while back (albeit coming from an A7C) and went with the A7CR.

None of your arguments for the A7Cii apply or make much sense to me. For me, the biggest advantage of the Cii was the significantly lower price.

I hardly ever print, and even more rarely big, but to me, that doesn't mean the Cii would be better suited.

The "noise" of the 60MP sensor has been discussed a lot and mostly results from expectations to see the same noise when looking at 100% magnification, which gives the 24MP sensor a large advantage. Resizing down to 24MP levels both sensors noise characteristics. So again, I would not make this a reason to choose the Cii.

I haven't seen a lot of purple skin tones, but that may be because I only shoot raw, and it is fairly easy to balance any real or perceived color shifts in post-processing. Sometimes have to tone down vibrancy/saturation a tad, but I don't see this as a specific fault of the high-res sensor. Coming from various Olympus cameras that turned faces into glowing carrots I find the Sony color science fairly subtle, at least for current models.

 

[Craig Gillette]

I remember my first try with the A900. A rep with a prelease sample was in a local store. I got some pics - but was asked not to share online.

I think I also recall some discussions about file sizes and card prices (not having reached the "memory is cheap" days and slow file transfer speeds) but the big "worry" was with the 24 mp and the sensitivity to handholding shake due to the high resolution. Might need extra care and really good technique, more turning to tripods, etc.

 

[Matt2134]

I went through the same decision a while back (albeit coming from an A7C) and went with the A7CR.

None of your arguments for the A7Cii apply or make much sense to me. For me, the biggest advantage of the Cii was the significantly lower price.

I hardly ever print, and even more rarely big, but to me, that doesn't mean the Cii would be better suited.

The "noise" of the 60MP sensor has been discussed a lot and mostly results from expectations to see the same noise when looking at 100% magnification, which gives the 24MP sensor a large advantage. Resizing down to 24MP levels both sensors noise characteristics. So again, I would not make this a reason to choose the Cii.

I haven't seen a lot of purple skin tones, but that may be because I only shoot raw, and it is fairly easy to balance any real or perceived color shifts in post-processing. Sometimes have to tone down vibrancy/saturation a tad, but I don't see this as a specific fault of the high-res sensor. Coming from various Olympus cameras that turned faces into glowing carrots I find the Sony color science fairly subtle, at least for current models.

Yeah, the reasons were a little tongue in cheek just to illustrate how I am going round in circles - and most of the 'for the A7Cii' arguments amount to 'the A7Cii would do for this area and is a chunk cheaper'.

As any good photographer does, I think I have come on the forum hoping the answer would be 'spend the extra money and by the more expensive camera' and that is mostly what I have got - which as everyone knows is all the justification I need, and more importantly, gives me a distracting paper trail to show my wife that the whole world agrees that spending the extra money was the sensible thing to do...

:-D

 

[JSalk53]

My 'main' camera will be the 'low' resolution A9iii and it may make sense to contrast with that (so A7CR)

I also shoot occasional astro, for which the noisy A9iii and relatively noisy 60MP sensor are probably not best suited for (so A7Cii)

I don’t consider the A9III a low res camera. I think this perception comes from people who are purely focused on specifications and have not actually used the A9III.

The A9III will surprise you if you get one. It’s one of the most complete cameras I have used. I don’t consider it a specialized camera only. This is my first “professional “ level Sony body with a price to match. Even though it cost me dearly, it was worth it.

As far as Astro photography, I would suggest the A7RIII. The sensor is the perfect balance between resolution and low noise. You might be able to find one new if you look long enough.

But I am not sure if you would like the older Sony camera bodies with older technologies. The A7RIII is still my favorite Sony camera bodies with the A9III being one of the most complete cameras I have used.

 

[Ralf B]

As any good photographer does, I think I have come on the forum hoping the answer would be 'spend the extra money and by the more expensive camera' and that is mostly what I have got - which as everyone knows is all the justification I need, and more importantly, gives me a distracting paper trail to show my wife that the whole world agrees that spending the extra money was the sensible thing to do...

:-D

Well, that makes it two reasons I shall not meet your wife ;-)
Cheers,
Ralf

 

[Impulses]

For me, none of the downsides of the A7CR seem to apply if you're actually viewing images at the same size as those of the 33MP sensor... In fact I would've side graded from an A7R IV to an A7CR by now if it were not for the latter having a buffer about half as big. I don't shoot action often but when I do I don't want a downgrade in that regard... I may yet get over it though, guess it depends what happens with pricing.

 

[Matt2134]

My 'main' camera will be the 'low' resolution A9iii and it may make sense to contrast with that (so A7CR)

I also shoot occasional astro, for which the noisy A9iii and relatively noisy 60MP sensor are probably not best suited for (so A7Cii)

I don’t consider the A9III a low res camera. I think this perception comes from people who are purely focused on specifications and have not actually used the A9III.

The A9III will surprise you if you get one. It’s one of the most complete cameras I have used. I don’t consider it a specialized camera only. This is my first “professional “ level Sony body with a price to match. Even though it cost me dearly, it was worth it.

As far as Astro photography, I would suggest the A7RIII. The sensor is the perfect balance between resolution and low noise. You might be able to find one new if you look long enough.
But I am not sure if you would like the older Sony camera bodies with older technologies. The A7RIII is still my favorite Sony camera bodies with the A9III being one of the most complete cameras I have used.

I have had an A9iii previously (got rid of it as I had intended to discontinue the paid work I used it for, which has changed again!)

I agree that it is not a niche camera and very capable across a range of disciplines. A very clever bit of kit, I am looking forward to having one again. (I put the 'low' in inverted commas for the reason of the points you make)

 

[CamerEyes]

I am changing my A7RV to something more suited to my paid photography work (A9iii)

I need something that will double as an emergency second camera that I will almost certainly never need, but that will also be a great travel camera for landscape and street - so basically an A7Cii or the A7CR, and I am having a hell of a time choosing between them.

Here are the issues:

I never really print big (so A7Cii)

I love to pixel peep (so A7CR)

I am (controversially here) not huge fan of the 60MP sensor which I sometimes find noisy and handles red in caucasian skin tones poorly (so A7Cii)

I do like to shoot landscapes and enjoy them having lots of detail and some ability to crop (so A7CR)

My 'main' camera will be the 'low' resolution A9iii and it may make sense to contrast with that (so A7CR)

I also shoot occasional astro, for which the noisy A9iii and relatively noisy 60MP sensor are probably not best suited for (so A7Cii)

And that's me going round in circles. Either will be fine as my emergency backup for paid work, and both will be nice and compact for walking and travelling.

I haven't used either camera, but have used the sensors in the A7iv and the A7Riv/V. I know the EVF and screen are relatively poor, but the same on both. Does anyone using these have any observations that might help me make a decision on which to go for - I am mindful of the cost difference, but it isn't so much that it makes a huge difference to my decision.

The reality is either will certainly do the job, which almost makes it harder to choose - have I missed anything?

Used both cameras. They're both capable and a joy to use. I picked the 7CR long term, for the simple reason that it meets / exceeds my professional and personal needs, both for video and photography.

On top of that, the 60mp gives me a cropped mode which technically is like having two cameras in one body. I can no longer count the number of times when being able to shoot at crop mode sort of saved the day for me.