p.1 #1 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
This is a question for people who own or have owned both the A1; and, either the A7RV or the A7Cr or A7CII -- these latter three all have very similar capabilities to each other.
Which do you prefer and why? If you had to give up one of the two cameras, which would you keep and why? Do you use the cameras interchangeably or for different situations?
Are there problems or weaknesses in performance that you run into with one camera but not with the other (e.g., LED banding or weaker autofocus or IBIS)?
And again, if you could only keep one, which would it be and why?
p.1 #2 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I have the A1 and A7CII. I purchased the A7CII primarily as a backup for bird photography workshops (small to pack). However, it has quickly evolved to be my primary camera (with the 16-35pz lens). I like photographing plants and flowers, and the flippy screen works much better for low angle portrait orientation. Also, the focus bracketing with the 90mm macro is nice - I had focus bracketing on my Olympus EM1. The weight difference is more significant than I expected. The A1 feels heavy after using the A7CII for a few days.
Currently, I only use my A1 with the 200-600mm for bird photography. The blackout-free shooting and greater cropping capabilities are big pluses.
I rarely use video in either camera, so that isn't a factor.
If I had to pick one, it would be the A1, primarily for the BIF capabilities. I usually use a monopod, so the weight isn't an issue. If I give up bird photography, I'd sell the A1.
I haven't noticed any difference in image quality with the smaller file size of the A7CII. The EVF has not been a factor for me. It only seems weird when using the viewfinder when doing portrait orientation. I added the GP-X2 grip, and I think it feels better in my hand.
BTW - I'm not a "serious" photographer by any stretch, so take my opinion with a huge grain of salt. :-)
p.1 #3 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
Easy for me. A1>A7RV.
The RV does a great job of focusing. The recognition is better than the A1.
Beyond that I like the A1 better for nearly everything else.
I still love the e shutter of the A1. The speed. I like the controls better with the top left dial. I feel like it’s a bit better at high ISOs too.
If I could only have one it would absolutely have to be the A1. My plan is to trade in the RV for the eventual A1MKII down the line.
Both great cameras and really capable but I love the extra benefits that stacked sensors bring to the party. I like shooting things that move fast and the A1 still rules there after 3 years.
p.1 #4 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I have
- A1 and A7RV and plan to keep both for a while - they compliment each other quite well.
- use 70-200 GM ii and 200-600 G on a1 and 24-70 GM ii and 35 GM on a7RV.
- love the AF speed, higher fps, higher flash sync speed, stacked sensor of A1
- love the slightly bigger form, better res and flip-out LCD and AI-based subject detection of a7R5
- couldn't give up either one at this time, but if I was absolutely forced to, I'd give up the a7R5
I casually shot a recent indoor sport event and many photos with the a7R5 had clear banding
p.1 #5 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
The A1 and R5 were the 2 cameras I packed when going out, for the day or on a trip. However I've been on a binge to lighten my load, lens and body wise, so I got the CR and it's been my primary body since. I still use the A1 when I want faster readout and higher FPS. The R5 gets little use now and it would be a toss up between the A1 and the CR for a single body only. The A1 would probably win but I always have a backup body (in the car if not in the pack).
p.1 #6 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
a1 for action, a7r5 for landscapes.
I like them both to be fair but for anything that moves a1 is my choice.
I find the AI subject detection to be excellent on the a7r5 but find it struggles to deliver the same rate of sharp images as the a1 on moving subjects (generally birds).
p.1 #7 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
It really depends on how you shoot and what you shoot. Few months ago I had 2 A1s, 1 A7RV, 1 A7CR, 1 Nikon Z8. When I decided to thin the herd, I sold the A7CR because I valued the full features of the A7RV over the smaller/lighter A7CR. I sold one of my A1s, thinking I would keep the Nikon Z8. I hated running 2 systems, so I sold the Nikon Z8, ended up with 1 A1 and 1 A7RV. I used both to shoot an air to air project, and didn't enjoy using the A7RV due to the EVF blackout for action stuff. Once you try blackout EVF it's hard to go back. So I bought another A1 recently. Now I have 2 A1s and 1 A7RV. After my trip next month, I will probably sell the A7RV, just run 2 A1s. For what I shoot, I think a pair of A1 works better. So I will be back to where I was 6 months ago.
p.1 #8 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
Douglas L wrote:
It really depends on how you shoot and what you shoot. Few months ago I had 2 A1s, 1 A7RV, 1 A7CR, 1 Nikon Z8. When I decided to thin the herd, I sold the A7CR because I valued the full features of the A7RV over the smaller/lighter A7CR. I sold one of my A1s, thinking I would keep the Nikon Z8. I hated running 2 systems, so I sold the Nikon Z8, ended up with 1 A1 and 1 A7RV. I used both to shoot an air to air project, and didn't enjoy using the A7RV due to the EVF blackout for action stuff. Once you try blackout EVF it's hard to go back. So I bought another A1 recently. Now I have 2 A1s and 1 A7RV. After my trip next month, I will probably sell the A7RV, just run 2 A1s. For what I shoot, I think a pair of A1 works better. So I will be back to where I was 6 months ago. ...Show more →
You just made me feel better. I had two A1's and converted one of them to an A7RV. I then added an A7CR that I sold in three weeks (I cannot figure-out why so many folks love this camera). I now kinda wish I had just kept both A1's.
p.1 #9 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
InFocus2014 wrote:
You just made me feel better. I had two A1's and converted one of them to an A7RV. I then added an A7CR that I sold in three weeks (I cannot figure-out why so many folks love this camera). I now kinda wish I had just kept both A1's.
If you shoot primarily with long lenses or in strobe-lit or studio-like environments, as I believe you do, the A7Cxx cameras are unlikely to please or be comfortable to work with. It's not what they were designed for. Nor would a Leica work well in those circumstances. But for documentary, family, and travel styles of photography, the A7Cxx cameras are superb, which is why they sell so well. My only knock on them is that there is no stacked sensor model in that size range. (The original A9, which is smallish, comes closest to their functionality and size but with a stacked sensor.)
p.1 #10 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I use the A1 for birds, the A7cr for street, and the A7rIV for landscape. Each is set up for a specific application. Having said that, in reality, I could use the A1 for all three shooting styles with settings saved on the mode dial.
p.1 #11 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
A1 for sports
A7cR for travel, landscape, casual use
For portrait, I tend to use both with a prime on each (I add the grip to the A7cR) so I don't have to switch since I'm normally outside somewhere doing the shooting.
So long story short, different uses for the most part. But if I had to choose to sell one...I'd be the a7cR. The fps and blackout free silent shutter are features I'd miss more than the smaller body.
p.1 #12 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
InFocus2014 wrote:
You just made me feel better. I had two A1's and converted one of them to an A7RV. I then added an A7CR that I sold in three weeks (I cannot figure-out why so many folks love this camera). I now kinda wish I had just kept both A1's.
If I don't ever use two fast cameras with two different lenses for those airshows, I would be perfectly happy with one A1 and one A7RV. The prices for used A1s, or even price for new ones that can be found on the B&S board are very attractive.
p.1 #13 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I have the a7r5 and 2 a1's. The r5 for portrait work, although for action strobed cheer/dance portraits, the a1 has more responsive shutter and a slightly faster sync speed. If only 1, I'd keep the a1 as it can do everything I shoot really really well and the a7r5 can't do sports really really well.
p.1 #14 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I have 2 x A1 and an A7RV as my main bodies and now A7CR and A7CII for travel. Certainly overkill.
The A1’s are primarily used for wildlife, BIF, and occasionally events. The A7RV for landscape, architecture, and portraits.
Now that I also have the two compact C bodies I keep questioning if I should keep the A7RV but it’s such a nice collection of features. When traveling my plan was to take the two compact bodies because they are smaller but I could sell one and travel with the A7RV + either A7CR or A7CII. The key is I’ve bought smaller lenses for travel use and that makes the whole kit smaller even if the A7RV is a little larger than the A7CR.
To me the A1 is the best of the bunch and has capabilities the others can’t match except for the subject recognition the newest bodies all have. It’s blackout fee viewfinder is great.
p.1 #15 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I use the A7RV, I tried liking the a7Cii, but I found it too small for my hands and I didn't like the EVF, lack of custom buttons, etc. It is not that much smaller than an a1 or a7RV, but most importantly I just enjoy the process of using the a7RV much more, even if I could get the same IQ with an a7CR. Just not for me.
p.1 #16 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
I just went through a similar choice. I had an A7RV and purchased the A7CR as I wanted a similar camera in a smaller body for those times I wanted something smaller. Recently bought an A1 to give it a try for birding and wildlife to serif I liked it better than the A7RV and I did.
did not need 3 bodies so I was back and forth on where to sell the A7RV or the A7CR. Changing my mind daily. Finally decided to sell the A7RV. Put it up for sale and immediately wasn't sure again. So I decided to put both up for sale and let that decide. Well the A7CR sold so now I have the A1 and A7RV and am very happy with that.
I do love the A7CR but I like the feel of the A7RV better. Plus I felt like to really make the smaller body really worth it I wanted to have smaller lenses on it and I wasn't going to add to my lens collection just for that. Besides long glass I mostly shoot with the 16-35 gmii, 20-70 and 14mm and the size difference of the A7CR and the A7Rv isn't huge with those lenses on them.
p.1 #17 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
patotts wrote:
I use the A7RV, I tried liking the a7Cii, but I found it too small for my hands and I didn't like the EVF, lack of custom buttons, etc. It is not that much smaller than an a1 or a7RV, but most importantly I just enjoy the process of using the a7RV much more, even if I could get the same IQ with an a7CR. Just not for me.
But how about in comparison to the A1? That is what I was asking about.
p.1 #18 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
johncocci wrote:
I just went through a similar choice. I had an A7RV and purchased the A7CR as I wanted a similar camera in a smaller body for those times I wanted something smaller. Recently bought an A1 to give it a try for birding and wildlife to serif I liked it better than the A7RV and I did.
did not need 3 bodies so I was back and forth on where to sell the A7RV or the A7CR. Changing my mind daily. Finally decided to sell the A7RV. Put it up for sale and immediately wasn't sure again. So I decided to put both up for sale and let that decide. Well the A7CR sold so now I have the A1 and A7RV and am very happy with that.
I do love the A7CR but I like the feel of the A7RV better. Plus I felt like to really make the smaller body really worth it I wanted to have smaller lenses on it and I wasn't going to add to my lens collection just for that. Besides long glass I mostly shoot with the 16-35 gmii, 20-70 and 14mm and the size difference of the A7CR and the A7Rv isn't huge with those lenses on them....Show more →
p.1 #19 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
chiron wrote:
And in comparison to the A1?
Sorry I guess that is what you asked about. It depends on what you shoot mostly, To me they are different cameras. As others have said as well I now use the A1 for birds and wildlife and the A7RV for everything else. Not that the A1 isn't good for landscape and what not I just prefer the A7RV for that. Just the way it sets up and the way I use the custom modes.
Now that I own the A1and A7RV, if I had to pick one I honestly don't know which one I would keep.
p.1 #20 · Dual users of A1 & A7RV or A7Cxx: Which do you prefer & why?
chiron wrote:
And in comparison to the A1?
I had the A1 for a year, but sold it to get the a7RV as I didn't need the speed after I stopped shooting sport, and personally I found the 30 fps resulted in too many images for my preferences. Sure, I missed the speed of the a1 and the blackout free EVF, but the a7RV was a better fit for my style of photography. Again, I had high hopes for the a7CII, but it was just too cramped and small for me, I didn't enjoy the shooting experience. I have a Leica Q3 for the smallish/travel shooting needs.
