Despite a lot of searching, I can't seem to find a definitive answer on this. The newer version seems to be "more weather resistant" than its predecessors, but not sure what that means. It would be great to have a A7II and lens combination that can be carried around and used in somewhat adverse weather.
Have any reviewers or early users had an opportunity to test this aspect of the camera?
Unless it get IP rated, treat it as dust/weather resistant. Only proper IPrating means anything. For those who haven't worked with it, IP is Ingress Protection.
Which i heard from somewhere that it only has to do with condensation from a cold environment to a warmer one. Much like bringing my cold mac book from the car into my house. (which i don't recommend booting up a cold macbook when you first get inside a warm house).
The can probably get away with saying weather resistance, because that is meaningless. These cameras should be protected from the rain and other wet conditions.
Thanks for the (unintentional) test, Darrell :-) I guess "weather resistance" means that it can take a few seconds of light mist/drizzle and not much more. I guess this is all moot as none of the FE lenses are truly weather resistant either.
The camera can take more than a few seconds of light rain. I've shot in the rain before, with a metabones adapter (which i believe isnt weathered sealed).
The pic below, was taken in medium rain conditions. You can see the water spots on the lens. I took a few shots. I definetly had my camera out for a minute or two. However, i put my camera back in my bag once i stopped shooting. I'm not saying the camera is weathered sealed, but it can definetly take some rain.
IN my experience I would say that the A7R is not adequately weather sealed. Anyone that tells you that they have gotten the camera wet without killing it have yet to experience the results of the corrosion or have been lucky. See my comments in the post "Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage" in this forum.
Adequate is too subjective. IP ratings are what is needed. At this point, even Canikon's best are only weather resistant for warranty purposes. Only Oly has done it right. So even with all the cute gaskets and seals in the other folks' bodies, the protection is still at your peril.
The Pentax K5 weather selling/resistance is well known to be very effectice. I've got mine totally soaked without any problems, and there are plenty of videos of thm being run under taps, in the shower, buckets of water etc.. but alas, it's no IP rated.
The A7R (at least my copy) does not tolerate wind blown sand well. I used mine at Delicate Arch one evening followed by sunrise at Mesa Arch the next morning in very windy conditions. The wind was blowing so hard at Delicate Arch it was difficult to stand. It wasn't quite as windy at Mesa Arch the next morning but enough sand was blowing to irritate my eyes. The front dial stopped working while I was at Mesa Arch. I moved shutter speed to the rear dial and left aperture at F8 and continued shooting throughout the sunrise. Later in the day the front dial started working again and it seemed fine for the rest of my trip. I had the 24-70 lens attached at both locations (no way was I going to change lenses in those conditions!) The lens sounded like it had gravel in it for the rest of the trip (exaggerating, but you get the point).
I sent both the lens and camera to Sony for service when I returned home. I was thinking servicing the camera was just a precaution. The lens definitely needed the sand removed from the barrel. Here is an excerpt of the service report Sony emailed me:
"we proceeded to replace dials and shutter opening, cleaning was also performed
whole wing camera, the lens performed cleaning and sele
lubricasion, solving the customer complaint."
Not sure who wrote this. I copied it directly from the email from the Sony Repair Services Response Team. This went to Laredo for service (predates the current arrangement with Precision Camera for service).
I was REALLY surprised they replaced parts on the camera. The cleaning and lubrication of the lens makes perfect sense to me. Again, I never had another issue with the front dial not working after that morning. I simply sent the camera in as a precaution. The lens now zooms smoothly following the cleaning. I'm very glad I sent both items for service and they did great work.
The A7-Series cameras definitely can't handle moisture. Just yesterday, I had an A7R take a small, light splatter of water and go almost immediately on the fritz. I've never seen a camera this poorly weather resistant and I've owned Pentax, Fuji, Nikon, Canon and Sony. Been all Sony the last two years, but I've learned they're incredibly vulnerable to outdoor environments. I just consider it a tax I have to reevaluate regularly in exchange for the low weight, small size, and amazing image quality.
I'd also mention that I was extremely skeptical of other people's claims of poor weather resistance at first. I felt they were misrepresenting how much water was involved. But they aren't. When I'm talking small spray, I'm talking barely any water.
Some people get lucky, no doubt, but these cameras can be ruined if you do so much as look at water the wrong way They're the best tools for photographers available but they need to be babied like nothing electronic I've used before.
They're the best tools for photographers available but they need to be babied like nothing electronic I've used before.