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Archive 2013Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
p.1 #1Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A7r/
"Sony Alpha A7r continuous shooting
The Sony Alpha A7r offers two continuous shooting options, continuous at 1.5fps and Speed Priority at 4fps. The Alpha A7 shoots at 2.5fps or 5fps in the same modes. To put them to the test I fitted each with a freshly-formatted Sony 32GB UHS-1 card and set them to 1/500 in Shutter Priority with a 400 ISO sensitivity. In each case I used Speed Priority and their maximum respective resolutions, 36 Megapixels for the A7r and 24 Megapixels for the A7.
Set to Large Fine JPEG, the A7r fired-off 23 frames in 5.54 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 4.15fps, after which it reduced to around 2fps. Set to RAW only the A7r captured 17 frames in 4.13 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 4.11fps. And finally when set to RAW+JPEG Fine it captured 15 frames in 3.49 seconds, corresponding to a rate of 4.29fps. So in each case the A7r essentially met or slightly exceeded its maximum quoted speed of 4fps regardless of the image format, although for bursts limited to 15-23 frames.
Set to Large Fine JPEG, the A7 fired-off 94 frames in 18.69 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 5.02fps, and seemed happy to keep shooting until I ran out of memory. Set to RAW only the A7 captured 30 frames in 5.89 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 5.09fps. And finally when set to RAW+JPEG Fine it captured 25 frames in 4.78 seconds, corresponding to a rate of 5.23fps. So in each case the A7 essentially met or slightly exceeded its maximum quoted speed of 5fps regardless of the image format and thanks to its smaller image size could shoot for longer bursts, especially for JPEG only.
Compare these speeds to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800(e) which in my tests delivered just over 6fps and just over 4fps respectively, the latter set to capture the full image size. So in terms of continuous shooting the A7r roughly matches the D800(e) while the A7 is only slightly out-performed by the EOS 5D Mark III by about 1fps which doesn't make a huge difference in practice. Of course none of these cameras are designed for sports or action and all of the manufacturers offer faster models if that's your thing. It's also worth noting the Olympus OMD EM1 offers 10fps without AF or 6.5fps with AF, although of course it's shifting much smaller 16 Megapixel files."
So the 5d3 isn't usable for sports now? So my 5 second 30 shot bursts with the 1000x card in AI servo mode I should toss out?
Only slightly out performed? 2.5 vs 6 FPS? How can Gordon not realize the Sony isn't continually autofocusing to get their 5/4 FPS for the A7/A7r? The Canon is doing 6 FPS in AI servo mode and continually focuses for each shot - the A7 is 2.5 FPS in this mode, and the a7/r a paltry 1.5 FPS.
Don't get how one would overlook such a glaring fact.
"Sony Alpha A7r continuous shooting
The Sony Alpha A7r offers two continuous shooting options, continuous at 1.5fps and Speed Priority at 4fps. The Alpha A7 shoots at 2.5fps or 5fps in the same modes. To put them to the test I fitted each with a freshly-formatted Sony 32GB UHS-1 card and set them to 1/500 in Shutter Priority with a 400 ISO sensitivity. In each case I used Speed Priority and their maximum respective resolutions, 36 Megapixels for the A7r and 24 Megapixels for the A7.
Set to Large Fine JPEG, the A7r fired-off 23 frames in 5.54 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 4.15fps, after which it reduced to around 2fps. Set to RAW only the A7r captured 17 frames in 4.13 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 4.11fps. And finally when set to RAW+JPEG Fine it captured 15 frames in 3.49 seconds, corresponding to a rate of 4.29fps. So in each case the A7r essentially met or slightly exceeded its maximum quoted speed of 4fps regardless of the image format, although for bursts limited to 15-23 frames.
Set to Large Fine JPEG, the A7 fired-off 94 frames in 18.69 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 5.02fps, and seemed happy to keep shooting until I ran out of memory. Set to RAW only the A7 captured 30 frames in 5.89 seconds, corresponding to a speed of 5.09fps. And finally when set to RAW+JPEG Fine it captured 25 frames in 4.78 seconds, corresponding to a rate of 5.23fps. So in each case the A7 essentially met or slightly exceeded its maximum quoted speed of 5fps regardless of the image format and thanks to its smaller image size could shoot for longer bursts, especially for JPEG only.
Compare these speeds to the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800(e) which in my tests delivered just over 6fps and just over 4fps respectively, the latter set to capture the full image size. So in terms of continuous shooting the A7r roughly matches the D800(e) while the A7 is only slightly out-performed by the EOS 5D Mark III by about 1fps which doesn't make a huge difference in practice. Of course none of these cameras are designed for sports or action and all of the manufacturers offer faster models if that's your thing. It's also worth noting the Olympus OMD EM1 offers 10fps without AF or 6.5fps with AF, although of course it's shifting much smaller 16 Megapixel files."
So the 5d3 isn't usable for sports now? So my 5 second 30 shot bursts with the 1000x card in AI servo mode I should toss out?
Only slightly out performed? 2.5 vs 6 FPS? How can Gordon not realize the Sony isn't continually autofocusing to get their 5/4 FPS for the A7/A7r? The Canon is doing 6 FPS in AI servo mode and continually focuses for each shot - the A7 is 2.5 FPS in this mode, and the a7/r a paltry 1.5 FPS.
Don't get how one would overlook such a glaring fact.
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:37 AM
p.1 #2Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Don't take it personally. 
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:41 AM
p.1 #3Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are soley those of the original poster. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of jctriguy.
Have you asked him - by that I mean, emailed him for clarification?
Have you asked him - by that I mean, emailed him for clarification?
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:43 AM
p.1 #4Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
I registered on his site just to point it out. My 5d3 rocks for sports. Sure, it's no 1Dx, but still.
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:47 AM
p.1 #5Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
He didn't say the 5d3 isn't good for sports, he said it wasn't designed for sports and Canon offers faster options. Both of those things are true. I don't understand the hubub.
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:51 AM
p.1 #6Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
How is the AF system borrowed from the 1dx NOT mean designed for action? Do you think writing a review comparing 2 cameras burst shooting being 1 frame apart, yet one camera is continuously focusing and the other isn't - fair?
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:54 AM
p.1 #8Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
ScooberJake wrote:
He didn't say the 5d3 isn't good for sports, he said it wasn't designed for sports and Canon offers faster options. Both of those things are true. I don't understand the hubub.
+1
The 5D3 is a lot better than the A7R for sports of course. To be honest, the A7R is probably a really great camera. But for sports it suck
He didn't say the 5d3 isn't good for sports, he said it wasn't designed for sports and Canon offers faster options. Both of those things are true. I don't understand the hubub.
+1
The 5D3 is a lot better than the A7R for sports of course. To be honest, the A7R is probably a really great camera. But for sports it suck
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:56 AM
p.1 #9Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Paul Mo wrote:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are soley those of the original poster. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of jctriguy.
Have you asked him - by that I mean, emailed him for clarification?
The views and opinions expressed in this post are soley those of the original poster. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of jctriguy.
Have you asked him - by that I mean, emailed him for clarification?
Nov 14, 2013 at 09:59 AM
p.1 #10Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Shield wrote:
How is the AF system borrowed from the 1dx NOT mean designed for action? Do you think writing a review comparing 2 cameras burst shooting being 1 frame apart, yet one camera is continuously focusing and the other isn't - fair?
There is a lot more than one frames difference when shooting continuous and raw. And sport shooting is a lot about fast AF. The A7R have slow AF. And compared to the 5D3, very slow AF. Why try to pretend the new Sony camera is a great sports and action camera?
How is the AF system borrowed from the 1dx NOT mean designed for action? Do you think writing a review comparing 2 cameras burst shooting being 1 frame apart, yet one camera is continuously focusing and the other isn't - fair?
There is a lot more than one frames difference when shooting continuous and raw. And sport shooting is a lot about fast AF. The A7R have slow AF. And compared to the 5D3, very slow AF. Why try to pretend the new Sony camera is a great sports and action camera?
Nov 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM
p.1 #11Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Lasse Eriksson wrote:
There is a lot more than one frames difference when shooting continuous and raw. And sport shooting is a lot about fast AF. The A7R have slow AF. And compared to the 5D3, very slow AF. Why try to pretend the new Sony camera is a great sports and action camera?
Are you reading what I'm saying here carefully?
Shield wrote
How is the AF system borrowed from the 1dx NOT mean designed for action? Do you think writing a review comparing 2 cameras burst shooting being 1 frame apart, yet one camera is continuously focusing and the other isn't - fair?Are you reading what I'm saying here carefully?
Nov 14, 2013 at 10:16 AM
p.1 #12Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
jcolwell wrote:
Don't take it personally.
+1
Don't take it personally.
+1
Nov 14, 2013 at 10:21 AM
p.1 #13Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
The are several reasons that one might choose a7r over 5diii:
1) You are a landscape photographer, and you are frustrated with the lack of dynamic range and high mpx of canon as compared to nikon, and are willing to put up with a lessor featured body (slower, worse focus, adapters) because resolution/dynamic range on the tripod is paramount
or
2) You want a very light ff camera for walking about and are willing to sacrifice focus and features.
or
3) You want to use rangefinder lens on a full frame and can't afford the leica.
The 2nd is less pusuasive to me - the body is still heavy and the lens are still large as compared to the eos-m. And I think the quality will not be strong because of focus and features except to the very careful skillled user.
The 3rd reason seems weak because all expect the a7r to suck on edges with rangefinder at low apertures because of the angle of light coming in.
I am in the 1) camp and will use the a7r until canon produces a landscape camera. But my 5diii will continue to be my go to camera for all but landscape, if the A7r performs on the tripod with an ef adapter.
And unless I am surprised with the zeiss 2.8 on the a7r and its size I will wait for the canon eos-m ff. The canon eos-m is just right for size/weight/quality, it just needs polishing.
1) You are a landscape photographer, and you are frustrated with the lack of dynamic range and high mpx of canon as compared to nikon, and are willing to put up with a lessor featured body (slower, worse focus, adapters) because resolution/dynamic range on the tripod is paramount
or
2) You want a very light ff camera for walking about and are willing to sacrifice focus and features.
or
3) You want to use rangefinder lens on a full frame and can't afford the leica.
The 2nd is less pusuasive to me - the body is still heavy and the lens are still large as compared to the eos-m. And I think the quality will not be strong because of focus and features except to the very careful skillled user.
The 3rd reason seems weak because all expect the a7r to suck on edges with rangefinder at low apertures because of the angle of light coming in.
I am in the 1) camp and will use the a7r until canon produces a landscape camera. But my 5diii will continue to be my go to camera for all but landscape, if the A7r performs on the tripod with an ef adapter.
And unless I am surprised with the zeiss 2.8 on the a7r and its size I will wait for the canon eos-m ff. The canon eos-m is just right for size/weight/quality, it just needs polishing.
Nov 14, 2013 at 11:51 AM
p.1 #14Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Hi Scott. I'm aware of the pros and cons of each. This thread was about the glaring difference between reality and the fictional account of AF comparison between the two cameras.
A person might think one is almost as good as the other at shooting action if they read that only section. This isn't a thread to bash the Sony camera; I've thought about getting one myself. DPreview came out early and said the a7 "continuously" focuses at 5 FPS; I pointed out in a thread there that it was wrong, and of course, it was deleted.
Still there too:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-alpha-7-7r/3
"The hybrid system allows for burst shooting at 5 fps with continuous autofocus."
No, it doesn't.
A person might think one is almost as good as the other at shooting action if they read that only section. This isn't a thread to bash the Sony camera; I've thought about getting one myself. DPreview came out early and said the a7 "continuously" focuses at 5 FPS; I pointed out in a thread there that it was wrong, and of course, it was deleted.
Still there too:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-alpha-7-7r/3
"The hybrid system allows for burst shooting at 5 fps with continuous autofocus."
No, it doesn't.
Nov 14, 2013 at 01:01 PM
p.1 #15Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Thanks, it is worthwhile to point this out on FM, since this seems to be a point of confusion.
I have my 1DIII for action, so it's no big deal for me personally. I will still get a Sony A7r, mainly for its sensor and used for slower more methodical shooting.
I have my 1DIII for action, so it's no big deal for me personally. I will still get a Sony A7r, mainly for its sensor and used for slower more methodical shooting.
Nov 14, 2013 at 01:55 PM
p.1 #16Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Scott Stoness wrote:
I am in the 1) camp and will use the a7r until canon produces a landscape camera. But my 5diii will continue to be my go to camera for all but landscape, if the A7r performs on the tripod with an ef adapter.
+1
I am in the 1) camp and will use the a7r until canon produces a landscape camera. But my 5diii will continue to be my go to camera for all but landscape, if the A7r performs on the tripod with an ef adapter.
+1
Nov 14, 2013 at 02:43 PM
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p.1 #17Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Nobody says you can't use any camera for sports shooting. You could probably use the A7R for sports but you might have to bone up on MF skills in order to get the shots you need. 10fps options for sports shooters pretty much give those shooters the spray and pray advantage instead of crazy MF skills. The A7R is still a camera and it really depends on how people want to use it. I personally wouldn't want to shoot sports with it or even a wedding for fear that my skills are not high enough to capture all those important moments. There are great tools for each job, you just have to know which one to use.
Nov 14, 2013 at 03:14 PM
p.1 #18Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
Who even mentioned the a7/r? Do you agree with the cameralabs portion I quoted, and think this is a fair assessment? 5 FPS with the exposure and focus locked vs 6 FPS of continually changing exposure and focus?
Nov 14, 2013 at 03:54 PM
p.1 #19Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
What's the big deal here
You read a Review that you don't agree with. So what? Every second camera ot lens Review I don't agree with
You read a Review that you don't agree with. So what? Every second camera ot lens Review I don't agree withNov 14, 2013 at 04:08 PM
p.1 #20Cameralabs review of the Sony A7/r - silly comparison to 5d3 for AF.
There could be bias, even opinion involved...oh my!
Nov 14, 2013 at 05:30 PM