nepali wrote:
It almost feels like some people criticize the new A7C iterations just because they don't like the cameras. Sony has plenty of options for everyone. We have plenty of A7CR/A7CII users here but this is the first time I have heard of anyone complaining about EVF and that too from a person who's never owned one.
Yeh it appears like many want everything that is in the A7r5 to be put into the compact A7cr. Ain’t going to happen and still have a compact camera. I’d trade off features to keep the A7c line as compact as Sony can make it. There are plenty other options in Sony’s larger camera lineup to please most…don’t ruin the A7c concept by throwing in the kitchen sink and bloating the camera like what happened in the A7r line.
chez wrote:
Yeh it appears like many want everything that is in the A7r5 to be put into the compact A7cr. Ain’t going to happen and still have a compact camera. I’d trade off features to keep the A7c line as compact as Sony can make it. There are plenty other options in Sony’s larger camera lineup to please most…don’t ruin the A7c concept by throwing in the kitchen sink and bloating the camera like what happened in the A7r line.
Exactly. I switched from the a7R5, which is probably my favorite camera of all time, to the a7CR. In my view, the compromises Sony made (to put so much photographic prowess in such a small camera) were all very well chosen. More importantly, I accept them as a reasonable price for the weight and volume reduction, which is exactly what I was looking for.
chez wrote:
Yeh it appears like many want everything that is in the A7r5 to be put into the compact A7cr. Ain’t going to happen and still have a compact camera. I’d trade off features to keep the A7c line as compact as Sony can make it. There are plenty other options in Sony’s larger camera lineup to please most…don’t ruin the A7c concept by throwing in the kitchen sink and bloating the camera like what happened in the A7r line.
For real. It really does feel like that sometime. I mean, Leica Q3 only has one SD card slot and it has terrible grip for ergonomics, but, you never hear people complain about that but some people complain about both on A7C series. Like you said, they want A7RV in a A7CR body.
The evf has been a concern for the A6xxx and A7C bodies. Some don't like them, perhaps position or "quality." If one was used to the aps-c bodies, like I had an NEX6 and A6400 before adding an a6700, I'm used to them. If used to most dslrs or larger mirror-less, they are different. The A6700 does have a small soft cup. So I don't think I've noticed any side glare(?) issues. It, unlike my NEX6 and a6400, pops off easily. The diopter adjustment is hard to deal with although most folks, I guess, would set it and forget it.
The ON-Off switch change is a questionable one. I notice it, I swap between the A7riv and A6700. the change isn't from downsizing. But if they find the complaints persist and move the nub back, then "new" version users will be annoyed with the next generation bodies.
The AF-ON button on the a6700 is hard to find, closer to the edge for size, but it isn't as distinct in feel, either. It could be taller to help.
Over time, there have been those who didn't like the smaller bodies. So, it's probably worth considering in a general sense. But a Canon user may find Sony or Nikon doesn't feel right, etc., too.
But If the small size and tending to use smaller lenses, works for you, go for the smaller bodies. If you use bigger lenses and like the larger bodies' features, that's fine, too. I wouldn't put out a drastic warning that the recent 4th/5th generation bodies are larger than the first FFs as a critical issue.
As a long-time user of Sony bodies (since 2015 or so), and being new to eyeglasses, I'm finding that the glasses push the eye back slightly from the viewfinder, making it more difficult to see the entire frame at the same time, depending on the magnification of the EVF. I started wearing the glasses and viewing through the EVF on my A7RIV, and that was the first time I became aware of it.
At the same time, I was considering the A7CR, but concerned about the low magnification of .7. Seemed like a big step backward. In a simple twist of fate (thank you Bob Dylan), the low magnification allows me to still see the entire frame with the eyeglasses.
I agree with the last few posts: these small bodies, but retaining much of what is special about the A7IV and the A7RV, are brilliant. In terms of ergonomics and external controls, there are sufficient work-arounds. The EVF isn't anything to boast about, but it allows the bodies to remain small and light.
Can't get along with a single card slot, in exchange for such a convenient camera? Get over yourself, or at least stop commenting.
Thank you, Sony. (Now I have to decide whether to keep my A7RIV. Will it ever be used again, by me?)
@Blueshound, what made you go from the A7R4 to the A7CR? The differences in size and weight are even less than going from the A7R5, the sensor is the same, and all else is well above the level of acceptable in either body. Just curious.
rob_ww wrote:
@Blueshound@, what made you go from the A7R4 to the A7CR? The differences in size and weight are even less than going from the A7R5, the sensor is the same, and all else is well above the level of acceptable in either body. Just curious.
As I get older (late 60's at the moment), I'm experiencing more shoulder and neck pain from carrying the camera kit around. The discomfort also translates to less enthusiasm and pleasure from photography. So I've been on a mission to reduce weight as much as reasonably possible. I'm determined to continue to enjoy both shooting and editing.
The difference in weight between the A7RIV (665 grams) and the A7CR (515 grams) isn't that great, but it's something. I don't use longer focal lengths, have little interest in wildlife and birds, and don't care much about very out of focus backgrounds, so I can concentrate on wide to short tele focal lengths. These play well with the lighter body.
I now have it to the point where the heaviest lens that I care to travel with is the 20-70, at just under 500 grams. With my existing lenses, I can cover from 12mm to 85mm, or 127mm in crop mode. This will sound like a big compromise for most here, but it suits me perfectly. Most of the time I travel with only the PZ 16-35 & 20-70. The bonus with those two lenses, combined with the 26mp crop of the 61mp sensor, is that it frees me to leave the hotel with only one lens, if I so choose.
It's early days for me with the A7CR, so bear that in mind. I have a short trip coming up in January, should be interesting.
I don't expect many others to relate to my personal preferences, but there seems to be a good amount of forum interest in these smaller cameras.
I completely relate to your experience and preferences (although a bit younger still... ;-)) - that was my intention with the aC7R/ii as well.
If I was in your situation and just enjoying photography and traveling, I'd take a look at an Fujifilm X-T5 with a zoom lens as well. The Fujifilm lenses really save a lot of weight, and the bodies, albeit not full-frame, are a pleasure to use.
Blueshound wrote:
As I get older (late 60's at the moment), I'm experiencing more shoulder and neck pain from carrying the camera kit around. The discomfort also translates to less enthusiasm and pleasure from photography. So I've been on a mission to reduce weight as much as reasonably possible. I'm determined to continue to enjoy both shooting and editing.
The difference in weight between the A7RIV (665 grams) and the A7CR (515 grams) isn't that great, but it's something. I don't use longer focal lengths, have little interest in wildlife and birds, and don't care much about very out of focus backgrounds, so I can concentrate on wide to short tele focal lengths. These play well with the lighter body.
I now have it to the point where the heaviest lens that I care to travel with is the 20-70, at just under 500 grams. With my existing lenses, I can cover from 12mm to 85mm, or 127mm in crop mode. This will sound like a big compromise for most here, but it suits me perfectly. Most of the time I travel with only the PZ 16-35 & 20-70. The bonus with those two lenses, combined with the 26mp crop of the 61mp sensor, is that it frees me to leave the hotel with only one lens, if I so choose.
It's early days for me with the A7CR, so bear that in mind. I have a short trip coming up in January, should be interesting.
I don't expect many others to relate to my personal preferences, but there seems to be a good amount of forum interest in these smaller cameras.
Your personal experiences are the same as mine (except I'm a bit older). I also have the A7cr and 20-70 as my main carry-around. The only difference is I plan to use a telephoto zoom, probably the Tamron 70-300, although I won't carry it all the time. I usually don't go wider than 20, and if needed plan on stitching. I was concerned about the EVF after all I read, but in reality find it not a problem at all, although I use AF 99% of the time. I have also found with modern software f4 is not a problem.
@ patotts
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm already involved with two systems, one is Sony FF and the other is Panasonic m43, with a G9. I like both systems for different reasons, and not sure I want to get involved with Fuji. I wouldn't mind the APS-C format, but I prefer m43 in general for a smaller sensor., because of the lenses.
Here's my "Twilight Zone" detour as to how I came to order the A7CR. I had a pre-order in for the new Panasonic G9II, but the more I thought about it, the more the fire was extinguished by the fact that the new body is essentially the same weight as my A7RIV and G9 and, less importantly, not small.
It occurred to me that the A7CR, with the right lenses, would scratch the itch for smaller & lighter that the G9II didn't, and with performance to rival the A7RV in most important ways (oh, but that beautiful EVF! Never mind).
I'm now thinking about the Sony 24mm f2.8, for it's tiny form factor. As a use-case similar to a Leica Q*, I can see wandering with just that on the camera. This is a bit of an indulgence, as the PZ 16-35 is fairly light. Nonetheless, 24 & 36mm with one tiny lens. (I'm rejecting Sigma due to weight-creep, and I already have a Batis 25.)
I think the weight and size difference between the A7Riv and v and the A7C or A6xxx series is there for the consideration, but depends a lot on the lenses to be used, too. I have an A7Riv and had it in an L bracket. It barely fit several "mirror-less" "bags" I was looking at for a trip. When shopping for FF, the A7Riv and Tamron 28-200 turned out to weigh a pound more than my A6400 and 18-135. A simple plate and smaller lens, it's less obvious, either in hand or in packing.
If your usual out for the day carry kit is two bodies and 4 lenses, etc., as opposed to trying for a smallest "one lens" solution, then go for the bigger ones. And then, maybe the extra crop room for thea7CR gets more value, too.
