I had no idea the CR even existed until a couple of days ago, as I thought the IV offered most of the V without the sky high price. The price of the IVA and the CR is identical at B&H. I don't know if either cameras were discounted further in the past.
If you have $3000 in your wallet, which camera would you go with?
A7RV new with warranty and receipt from authorized dealer $2875 (here on the b&S board), that would be my choice over the other two in the $3k category.
There are a few reviews that compare the A7CR with the A7R IV. I went with the A7C ii and enjoyed the lighter weight vs. my A1. You should try one to see if the EVF is a deal breaker for you. It was easier for me to adapt to it than expected, but I still struggle a bit with portrait orientation - the camera is high on your forehead! I usually use it with my 16-35 PZ and Tamron 28-200 lenses and use my A1 with my 200-600.
New a7Rv around$2900 or used a7Riv around $1800. Now way I would pay $3k for a new a7Riv. I'm not into the a7Cr, but just because I love the EVF on the Rv so much.
rjensen11 wrote:
[B]There are a few reviews that compare the A7CR with the A7R IV. I went with the A7C ii and enjoyed the lighter weight vs. my A1. You should try one to see if the EVF is a deal breaker for you. It was easier for me to adapt to it than expected, but I still struggle a bit with portrait orientation - the camera is high on your forehead! I usually use it with my 16-35 PZ and Tamron 28-200 lenses and use my A1 with my 200-600.
tschopp wrote:
New a7Rv around$2900 or used a7Riv around $1800. Now way I would pay $3k for a new a7Riv. I'm not into the a7Cr, but just because I love the EVF on the Rv so much.
Has any of the retailers discounted the IVA before?
If you're buying new, I wouldn't get the A7RIV over the A7CR. Yes, you might miss out on the EVF and LCD resolution (both roughly twice as better on the A7RIV over the A7CR), but the newer AF system is so much better on the newer bodies. When I say "better," I just mean it's a better user experience, but objectively, the newer AF is better. At the end of the day, most of the recent Sony bodies autofocus just fine, but I can notice a significant improvement on the newest bodies compared to the A1 that I had for many years in terms of finding and tracking the subject.
You should know that the A7CR/A7CII max shutter speed is 1/4000 vs. 1/8000 on the A7RIV. If you do flash photography, the max sync speed on the A7C bodies is 1/160 vs. 1/250 on the A7RIV.
Right now, I own the A9III and the A7CII. The A9III has the best EVF, but when I use the A7CII, I don't really think about how the EVF or LCD screen's resolution is worse. I just take pictures knowing that each camera has its purpose. In other words, I wouldn't sweat those things, but that's just me.
The main differences between the A7RIV and A7CR are size and weight. Each comes with its pros and cons. If you hike a lot and want to pack as lightly as possible, the A7CR is a clear winner. If you need the robustness of a full-size camera (in terms of mirrorless bodies), then maybe the A7RIV is the choice, but it's older tech. I think the newer tech makes up for any advantages the A7RIV gives you, among other things.
Again, this is just me. There's plenty of resources out there that will help you decide. Everything's a compromise.
Hodie wrote:
If you're buying new, I wouldn't get the A7RIV over the A7CR. Yes, you might miss out on the EVF and LCD resolution (both roughly twice as better on the A7RIV over the A7CR), but the newer AF system is so much better on the newer bodies. When I say "better," I just mean it's a better user experience, but objectively, the newer AF is better. At the end of the day, most of the recent Sony bodies autofocus just fine, but I can notice a significant improvement on the newest bodies compared to the A1 that I had for many years in terms of finding and tracking the subject.
You should know that the A7CR/A7CII max shutter speed is 1/4000 vs. 1/8000 on the A7RIV. If you do flash photography, the max sync speed on the A7C bodies is 1/160 vs. 1/250 on the A7RIV.
Right now, I own the A9III and the A7CII. The A9III has the best EVF, but when I use the A7CII, I don't really think about how the EVF or LCD screen's resolution is worse. I just take pictures knowing that each camera has its purpose. In other words, I wouldn't sweat those things, but that's just me.
The main differences between the A7RIV and A7CR are size and weight. Each comes with its pros and cons. If you hike a lot and want to pack as lightly as possible, the A7CR is a clear winner. If you need the robustness of a full-size camera (in terms of mirrorless bodies), then maybe the A7RIV is the choice, but it's older tech. I think the newer tech makes up for any advantages the A7RIV gives you, among other things.
Again, this is just me. There's plenty of resources out there that will help you decide. Everything's a compromise....Show more →
Fantastic and informative post. Thank you.
I know everything is a compromise these days. I'm asking this because I need to make sure the EFCS and slower shutter speeds will fit my needs. It sounds like it may. I'm glad I asked.
The link below has a couple shots showing the effects of EFCS on bokeh. These were 1/8000 and 1/6400 so a bit beyond the 1/4000 limit. I think the question is will you be shooting fast glass wide open in full sun. I think this was one of the first times taking the a7Rv out and was trying EFCS again.
tschopp wrote:
The link below has a couple shots showing the effects of EFCS on bokeh. These were 1/8000 and 1/6400 so a bit beyond the 1/4000 limit. I think the question is will you be shooting fast glass wide open in full sun. I think this was one of the first times taking the a7Rv out and was trying EFCS again.
chez wrote:
I think most people will look at those images and remember the action you caught. Only us bitheads will look at the bokeh issues.
Yeah, I think that is kind of the point. Sometimes we obsess over minor details. It's a real world example, hopefully the subject in focus gets the attention and people aren't too worried about the out of focus area. So as the photog you can understand the difference and decide if it matters to you. To the parents, they will frame it and put it on the table and never notice or care if a bokeh ball is cut off.
The most important difference between these cameras is EVF. Although somewhat improved, A7Cr EVF is borderline annoying. Weak link of this camera. For some people it is ok, for some it is a deal breaker. I suggest you to try before buying.
Other than that EVF the differences are fairly obvious. One just has to make a choice.
I do have both, the A7Riv and A7Cr, and I can say the EVF of the A7Cr is quite ok (for me) even for MF (that was my main fear, actually).
Since one can do 1/8000 SS on electronic shutter of A7Cr, one could still use fast glass, wide open in sunny days.
I would choose A7Cr over A7Riv despite the fact that I don't care much about the new tech AF and things like these, but quite like the small form factor. And the lossless compression RAWs. Plus there is the included grip, if needed. And yes, I do like the range-finder style cameras
