p.1 #1 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
I currently use an A7R4. It's a wonderful camera. My long time wish has been for Sony to add lossless compressed RAW, focus bracketing, and to improve pixel shift...
Wait, that sounds like an A7R5!
My questions for lucky A7R5 owners are:
1. Am I likely to see significant file size savings from using large lossless compressed RAW? Being an occasionally non-rational quality freak, I essentially ALWAYS use regular uncompressed RAW on my A7R4. This generates 117MB images in Lightroom Classic and 344MB images when sent to Photoshop. They grow from there. My final images in Photoshop are usually in the 1GB range. It would be nice if they were smaller, partly for drive space, but mostly for improvements in saving and other intensive operations.
2. I often focus stack, usually in the landscape but also closer in. What operational, or quality improvements am I likely to see compared to my current manual approach?
3. I have used pixel shift with the A7R4, usually I'm not that impressed with the improvements. And, of course, it can't be used with any movement in the scene. Lloyd Chambers has demonstrated what he sees as impressive improvements with the A7R5. My most common print size is 9x13, occasionally 13x20. What have been others' experience with pixel shift on the A7R5?
I really shouldn't be thinking seriously about the A7R5, but...
p.1 #2 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
Coming from the a7R III the list of improvements is long, but that doesn’t help much as you have the a7R IV. Here is a comparison of a pixel shift vs non pixel shift shot. I’ve since done better post processing since I posted these. But might give you an idea.
p.1 #3 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
I do not own a A7R5, so I am entering the discussion on the asking rather than the answering side. The lossless medium compressed 26MP mode intrigues me. It would allow me to switch between FF and APSC and keep both at 26MP resolution, instantly giving me two FOVs at the same resolution. I think would use that often.
Of course the resolution choices do not end there. *When I Want* it, I can have 61MP (I know that 9504X6336 is only 60.2 MP) easily. I can also get that 61MP upgraded to full color resolution at each pixel with some post processing effort, or maxed out at four times as much with a bit more effort. My point is that I see the A7R5 providing reasonable resolution choices for me.
The feature that closes the shutter when the camera is off to protect the sensor from dust is huge in my opinion as a very useful feature. And that rear floppy-tilty screen is another huge feature. And the improved EVF would be used every day I use the camera.
If A7R5 owners could comment not the usefulness of any features I mention above, that would be helpful. I am strongly considering buying this camera in the near future. I am currently using a non-R, A73. Thanks.
p.1 #4 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
I’ve had the R5 for about a week now and LOVE it. I’m coming from the R3.
What thrills me the most is how fast and ACCURATE the eye autofocus is for people, birds, and animals. With my R3, eye autofocus would miss the actual eyeball and focus on the eyelashes about 50% of the time, requiring multiple shots to ensure one good one. With the R5, it’s spot on the eyeball 99% or more. And that includes tiny birds at distance. Locks right on the eye and holds it.
The viewfinder is also a dream to look through. Huge and bright and crisp. It’s very nice.
Lossless compressed is also great. About 80MB. And as said above, I like using lossless medium to get 26mp images shooting full frame or cropped. Handy.
p.1 #8 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
So far, I am not wowed with AF. It’s not perfect but still noticeably better than A7R3 which was my last Sony camera. It’s still not fool proof. My keepers still about the same percentage. I don’t think the AI chip they used for A7R5 is all that powerful if I am being completely honest. I wouldn’t upgrade just for the AF.
The best features for me are:
(1) EVF/screen, such an important upgrade since this is why we use mirrorless. You can dial in your setting that much quicker and reliably.
(2) Ability to shoot MRAW and punch into S35 while maintaining same resolution. This allows me to be flexible with my primes especially the 135. I can get better photos with 135 vs 70-200 plus the weight/size relief. I should add IBIS is also noticeably better especially for movies.
(3) Overall feel of the camera. It’s snappier moving through the menu. I can tell it’s built for more rugged use vs R3. It reminds me of the old Canon DSLRs.
p.1 #9 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
doc4x5 wrote:
...
1. Am I likely to see significant file size savings from using large lossless compressed RAW? Being an occasionally non-rational quality freak, I essentially ALWAYS use regular uncompressed RAW on my A7R4. This generates 117MB images in Lightroom Classic and 344MB images when sent to Photoshop. They grow from there. My final images in Photoshop are usually in the 1GB range. It would be nice if they were smaller, partly for drive space, but mostly for improvements in saving and other intensive operations.
.....
Please note that the large lossless compressed RAW will only help reduce the RAW file size. You will likely not see any reduction in the photoshop file size of 344MB or 1GB that you get today.
p.1 #10 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
I’m super impressed with the pixel shift. I didn’t expect to be, I upgraded mainly for the EVF. But the 4 image Bayer cancelling pixel shift produces remarkable file quality,, and gives a reason to use a considered tripod based workflow in the field…
p.1 #11 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
The improved image stabilization is also really nice. Another feature I’ve really appreciated is full-time DMF. I upgraded from the r4 to the r5 with no regrets.
p.1 #12 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
So far the autofocus appears to be considerably better than my A7R4. Other improvements that seem worthwhile are the new viewfinder (Wow) and the sensor cover.
p.1 #14 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
Probably not, but I won't know until the bug/flower season in spring. I am expecting bug mode AF and focus stacking to be a big improvement but not right season to test now. As mentioned already, full time DMF, and viewfinder upgrade are nice, and AF is improved in pick-up of birds. No major improvement in 200-600 performance which I was hoping for. Upgrade to used A1 probably a better jump.
p.1 #15 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
If one wants the latest and greatest in terms of resolution, A7r5 is worth bying. From the point of practical landscape photography I still find it difficult to find reasons why I should upgrade my A7r3. I like the A7r3 sensor.
I do all my faster phased shooting with A9. If the forthcoming A9III is compelling enough, I might do the upgrade. For those having only one body, A7r5 or A1 might be the ultimate choices. Personally I would rather have A1 than A7r5 as my only camera.
p.1 #16 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
I bought an A7RV and I have been using it about 6 weeks. I'm delighted with it, so that answers the "is it worth it to me?" question.
The new AF is a substantial improvement, but if you only shoot subjects that the old AF found easy, you might be underwhelmed. It's when you shoot subjects that the old AF couldn't that you really see the difference. Oh, and it easily auto-focuses a 200-600mm at 600mm with a 2x TC on it (that's f/13 wide open).
I'm coming from an A7RIV and an A1. Keeping the A1, will sell the A7RIV.
p.1 #17 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
If I had 2K€ to spare it would be a no brainer to go for the a7RV just for the sake of bulb mode, focus stacking and sensor dust protection...
Since I don't have the extra €, I'll stick with the RIV which still is a great camera and to best it where it lacks most at the moment (birding) I think the only viable options are a9 or a1...
p.1 #18 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
cajer wrote:
Do we know if small raw improves the dynamic range or sensitivity by binning pixels?
The per-pixel dynamic range would off course be better for the smaller raw compared to larger raw. However that would also be true if you use the full raw and resize the image to lower resolution as part of raw processing.
Jan 11, 2023 at 12:34 PM
berimbolo Offline • • • [X]
p.1 #19 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
Tony Ross wrote:
I bought an A7RV and I have been using it about 6 weeks. I'm delighted with it, so that answers the "is it worth it to me?" question.
The new AF is a substantial improvement, but if you only shoot subjects that the old AF found easy, you might be underwhelmed. It's when you shoot subjects that the old AF couldn't that you really see the difference. Oh, and it easily auto-focuses a 200-600mm at 600mm with a 2x TC on it (that's f/13 wide open).
I'm coming from an A7RIV and an A1. Keeping the A1, will sell the A7RIV.
Does the A7RV w+ 200-600m + 2x TC out perform the A1's autofocus with the same lens + 2x TC?
p.1 #20 · Are the A7R5 improvements worth it to you?
berimbolo wrote:
Does the A7RV w+ 200-600m + 2x TC out perform the A1's autofocus with the same lens + 2x TC?
No, not at all. Especially in terms of any moving subjects. The AI focus helps the A7RV be very competitive, and for moving subjects it's a huge improvement over the RIV, but it's nowhere near in the same class as the A1. I have both and have done some extensive shooting comparing them.
If you're shooting a lot of static subjects or things that move relatively slowly it's great. But birds in flight, for example, it's just nowhere near an A1, and that should come as no surprise, that's not what the RV is designed for or marketed for.
Having used it for a while though I can say that when that AI system is implemented on the A1 successor it's going to be another huge leap and a real game changer. Heck, if Sony announced an A1 mkII today with only that improvement, I'd be signed up for preorder.
