Hi all, I'm considering an upgrade from an A7III to either an A7IV or A7CII. I've tried the A7CII and while I found the grip a bit uncomfortable since there's no where for the pinky to rest, that should be easy to fix with a base plate accessory.
But given the A7IV has a similar form factor as the A7III I'm sure I'll have no issue with the grip, so considering just going with the A7IV instead of A7CII + baseplate.
The main consideration against this is I've read that A7CII has better AF and IBIS due to the AI chip, but I can't find any reports of exactly how much better the AF and IBIS would be. Does anyone who've used both have any opinions on whether it's worth going with the A7CII with some accessories over the A7IV just for the AF and IBIS? I'm not particularly bothered about the dual SD slots or the EVF as I'll be putting an aftermarket eyecup on it as well.
Sinbios wrote:
Hi all, I'm considering an upgrade from an A7III to either an A7IV or A7CII. I've tried the A7CII and while I found the grip a bit uncomfortable since there's no where for the pinky to rest, that should be easy to fix with a base plate accessory.
But given the A7IV has a similar form factor as the A7III I'm sure I'll have no issue with the grip, so considering just going with the A7IV instead of A7CII + baseplate.
The main consideration against this is I've read that A7CII has better AF and IBIS due to the AI chip, but I can't find any reports of exactly how much better the AF and IBIS would be. Does anyone who've used both have any opinions on whether it's worth going with the A7CII with some accessories over the A7IV just for the AF and IBIS? I'm not particularly bothered about the dual SD slots or the EVF as I'll be putting an aftermarket eyecup on it as well....Show more →
The A7IV has 5.5 stops of image stabilization and the A7CII has 7 stops of image stabilization. The A7IV has excellent autofocus with Real Time Eye-AF Tracking. The A7CII is the next generation of autofocus and most people report that they experience the improvement while shooting.
The A7CII has the latest improved technology. But if for some reason you prefer the A7IV, it is also highly competent in IBIS and AF.
Good places to read the details about the cameras are the product pages for each camera at B&H. There is also a tab on the product pages for each that will give you additional specs.
What chiron said. But I will add that the IBIS on the A7CII (and the newer Sony bodies) is noticeably better than the older generations, not just on paper, but in practice. It helps when you pair it with a compact lens like the 40 G. In previous versions, the IBIS was more or less an afterthought for me (i.e., I never relied on it).
ILCE-7CM2FE 40mm F2.5 G lens40mmf/2.51/15s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 40mm F2.5 G lens40mmf/4.01/25s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 40mm F2.5 G lens40mmf/4.01/20s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CM2FE 40mm F2.5 G lens40mmf/4.01/15s100 ISO0.0 EV
The a7iv i tried can handhold up to 1/10, maybe 1/5 and even then results are not so consistent. iirc it was a zoom lens with a regular zoom range.
The a7cr i have i can quite easily handhold 0.4-0.5 seconds for the lenses i use, focal length between 21 to 50mm. Oh but if the subject distance is very close then shutter speeds will need to be higher.
Wow, I didn't think the IBIS difference would be that noticeable, definitely favouring the A7CII now. I feel like with the aftermarket accessories (baseplate + eyecup) it would be pretty comparable with the A7IV ergonomically, are there any other body accessories that people recommend?
chiron wrote:
The A7IV has 5.5 stops of image stabilization and the A7CII has 7 stops of image stabilization. The A7IV has excellent autofocus with Real Time Eye-AF Tracking. The A7CII is the next generation of autofocus and most people report that they experience the improvement while shooting.
The A7CII has the latest improved technology. But if for some reason you prefer the A7IV, it is also highly competent in IBIS and AF.
Good places to read the details about the cameras are the product pages for each camera at B&H. There is also a tab on the product pages for each that will give you additional specs.
Very helpful, thanks! I didn't realize the IBIS was so much better.
BTW for the improved AF on the A7CII, is it a new tracking mode with the AI or is it just the AI improving the performance of the existing tracking AF? There's tracking AF mode on my A7III as well and the A7CII's tracking options seem similar, I couldn't figure out which mode actually made use of the AI chip.
There's a new mode, which I think didn't get added to the A7iii/Riii in firmware updates, but was in everything that came after the A7iii - happy to be corrected, though: "Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot". On my a9 (which did get the update) it's the last option when you scroll down through the AF Area modes in the Fn menu. I use that mode a lot, it is very intuitive and convenient.
I don't think the A7Cii has newer *modes* than that, on top: it just does what the A7iv does, but even better.
One exception might be an increased range of subject-specific tracking modes (animal/bird eye AF or whatever)
The A7iv isn't quite "the same, but better" as your A7iii. It's a bit bigger and bulkier. Most people like the way it's bigger and bulkier, but it sounds like you have tried an A7Cii in your hand but not yet an A7iv, so I thought I should point that out as you're weighing up your options.
EVF difference between A7Cii and A7iv isn't just whether it's shielded from external light or not. But if you've tried the A7C and you like its EVF already, then nothing else matters.
Sinbios wrote:
Very helpful, thanks! I didn't realize the IBIS was so much better.
BTW for the improved AF on the A7CII, is it a new tracking mode with the AI or is it just the AI improving the performance of the existing tracking AF? There's tracking AF mode on my A7III as well and the A7CII's tracking options seem similar, I couldn't figure out which mode actually made use of the AI chip.
It is a different algorithm based on different chips. The modes are similar but the A7Cxx cameras and the A7RV do those modes in a different and better way. They also add some new AF features, like more subject recognition settings. The A7Cxx cameras also have focus bracketing, which the A7IV does not.
Just another vote for the A7CII. Upgraded from the A7IV to the A7CR and I’ve been pretty impressed in use with the AF and especially IBIS improvements. A7IV was no slouch on those fronts either though.
Sinbios wrote:
Wow, I didn't think the IBIS difference would be that noticeable, definitely favouring the A7CII now. I feel like with the aftermarket accessories (baseplate + eyecup) it would be pretty comparable with the A7IV ergonomically, are there any other body accessories that people recommend?
I switched from an A7iv to A7Cii. I love having a thumb grip on my main, interchangeable body now that I don't have an RX1Rii anymore. The speed & ease at which I can grab my camera off my desk for taking pictures around the house / of my baby is greatly improved after the switch. Dreams of grabbing another RX1Rii or Q2/Q3 are also mitigated now with my Sigma 45/2.8, improved IBIS, and improved ISO performance.
I also like having my pinky underneath the camera then resting on the grip. My baseplate only comes out for tripod usage.
My two cents: I recently got an A7CR to go with my A7RV. Overall I love it with my small primes. The autofocus of the smaller camera is great, basically identical to the RV. I do notice a difference in IS: the bigger camera is better stabilized at the same shutter speeds with the same lens. (Also, it is easier to keep steady because of its ergonomics.) No huge deal for my purposes, but it's something.
akashyap wrote:
I switched from an A7iv to A7Cii. I love having a thumb grip on my main, interchangeable body now that I don't have an RX1Rii anymore. The speed & ease at which I can grab my camera off my desk for taking pictures around the house / of my baby is greatly improved after the switch. Dreams of grabbing another RX1Rii or Q2/Q3 are also mitigated now with my Sigma 45/2.8, improved IBIS, and improved ISO performance.
I also like having my pinky underneath the camera then resting on the grip. My baseplate only comes out for tripod usage.
Neat, are there any that don't take up the hot shoe or is that necessary to provide enough stability to grip?
Update: received the smallrig baseplate and EVF eyecup, and quite pleased with the ergonomics now. It grips pretty much exactly like my A7III now with the added bonus that my pinky ring won't be rubbing the paint off like on my A7III.
