3catsinky wrote:
At the time, I bought an A7IV, had it for a week, and traded it back for an A7RIII. the noise was horrible. 42mp sensor is the sweet spot. I wish Sony would bring it back in something else.
That would be the ideal setup for me. The 42 MP sensor in my A7iv or A7Rv chassis with their AF and dials.
I have to agree with the comments about the 60MP files down sampled to 42MP would give similar or slightly better noise. But, that would require converting all the files, seems like a pain. If you like to zoom into 100%, as do I, and you like clean pixels, seems like a win for the 42mp sensor. The size of the older body is better as well.
For me the IBIS, ai focus and WB, EVF are each individually enough to keep me on Rv. I wouldn’t downgrade, but I think it’s fine if you want to.
My only other thought could be the memory of the Riii is better than the actual camera. I like to test cameras and lenses side by side. When I moved from the canon s95 at 10mp to the G7x at 20mp I started framing looser because I had a “ton more pixels”. The photos were worse, and not just my opinion. The guy in my office thought so as well. When I tested the cameras side by side the new camera was better in every way. But not enough to compensate for a drop in my technique. Not saying this is happening with you, but the Riii and Rv will be much closer than my example so any change in technique might be what you are seeing.
The AI features on the A7rV make it a hard no on downgrading back to a rIV for me. Image quality is definitely similar between the two but focus is snappier and more accurate with the AI features.
I just can't fathom a downgrade - if you, for some reason, only use manual focus then maybe?
NP3Photo wrote:
The AI features on the A7rV make it a hard no on downgrading back to a rIV for me. Image quality is definitely similar between the two but focus is snappier and more accurate with the AI features.
I just can't fathom a downgrade - if you, for some reason, only use manual focus then maybe?
Why does it have to be manual focus? I use the A7r II and III in AF but I don't photograph anything moving so they work just fine. 100% AF for me and I see no reason to upgrade. Having said that, I might "upgrade" to an A7CR someday but it will be for size, not AF.
I sold my combo of A7RII & A7IV for A7RV, I am a hybrid shooter.
A7RV takes better photo's than regular A7 lineup and it takes better video than any Sony camera other than Sony A7SIII, ZV-E1 or FX Cinema line.
I don't like the handling of RII & RIII.
What is bonus over A7RIV - amazing IBIS, Superb screen and EVF, Sticky smart AF, improved Mic, operational speed, more customizable dials, separate settings for audio and video. There are so many other small QoL improvements.
A7RV is probably first R series camera body which is a true hybrid, it is A7IV on steroids. Though If I were strictly photography person, I would still pick A1 over A7RV.
tschopp wrote:
I have to agree with the comments about the 60MP files down sampled to 42MP would give similar or slightly better noise. But, that would require converting all the files, seems like a pain. If you like to zoom into 100%, as do I, and you like clean pixels, seems like a win for the 42mp sensor. The size of the older body is better as well.
For me the IBIS, ai focus and WB, EVF are each individually enough to keep me on Rv. I wouldn’t downgrade, but I think it’s fine if you want to.
My only other thought could be the memory of the Riii is better than the actual camera. I like to test cameras and lenses side by side. When I moved from the canon s95 at 10mp to the G7x at 20mp I started framing looser because I had a “ton more pixels”. The photos were worse, and not just my opinion. The guy in my office thought so as well. When I tested the cameras side by side the new camera was better in every way. But not enough to compensate for a drop in my technique. Not saying this is happening with you, but the Riii and Rv will be much closer than my example so any change in technique might be what you are seeing....Show more →
I have heard this one too many times before… 8MP cameras not being better than 6MP and so on
The problem was that people used 1200x800 monitors back then (.9MP), viewing at 100% caused excessive magnification
Today if you compare the same images on a 4K monitor the 8MP file should be more detailed.
You have the same problem because your 8MP “4K” monitor cannot display your 60MP image with fine enough screen pixels
You don’t have to resample the image btw. If you zoom in to the same field of view the RV file should be better.
Just don’t use 100% on a 8MP monitor for a >8MP file, the monitor’s pixels are not fine enough so it looks bad.
If pixel peeping at 100% is the ultimate goal, then you could shoot the RV with RAW(S) file size
I shoot a little bit of everything. Having shot Canon, Nikon and Sony over the years and having owned an A7IV, the A7R5 is by far my favorite camera for strictly photography I've ever owned. The A7IV feels like a toy IMO and what you can do with those 61mp A7R5 files in post is amazing. The A7R5 is such a pleasure to use across the board. I liked the first A7R5 so much I ended up buying a second one. For video though the A7R5 and the A7IV are both WAY WAY behind the A7Siii and I say this since I use a FX3 for video which is essentially the same camera as the A7siii. Video from either the A7R5 or the A7IV is nothing to write home about once you starting filming in less that ideal lighting. Once you use a camera like an A7Siii or FX3 for video it is hard to go back to anything else. For those that don't understand this, shoot video from an A7Siii or FX3 at its higher dual base ISO of 12,800 and you'll "get it". I would not downgrade to the A7IV.
Tom RC wrote:
I shoot a little bit of everything. Having shot Canon, Nikon and Sony over the years and having owned an A7IV, the A7R5 is by far my favorite camera for strictly photography I've ever owned. The A7IV feels like a toy IMO and what you can do with those 61mp A7R5 files in post is amazing. The A7R5 is such a pleasure to use across the board. I liked the first A7R5 so much I ended up buying a second one. For video though the A7R5 and the A7IV are both WAY WAY behind the A7Siii and I say this since I use a FX3 for video which is essentially the same camera as the A7siii. Video from either the A7R5 or the A7IV is nothing to write home about once you starting filming in less that ideal lighting. Once you use a camera like an A7Siii or FX3 for video it is hard to go back to anything else. For those that don't understand this, shoot video from an A7Siii or FX3 at its higher dual base ISO of 12,800 and you'll "get it". I would not downgrade to the A7IV. ...Show more →
The A7IV "feels like a toy" but the A7RV doesn't. Hmm.
No the A7R5 does not feel like a toy. It feels like a pro body, at least in terms of Sony bodies. And when you compare the viewfinder, rear display, AF, and the lattitude of what you can do with the A7R5 files in post yes the A7IV does feel like a toy in comparison IMO having owned both. You can take great photos with the A7IV but the A7RV is a massive upgrade IMO.
I had the A7R3 and hesitated to switch to the 60MP body. 42MP is enough for me, but the A7RV is a hell of a camera! The AF is incredible. Only for AF it's worth the change, and all the rest are helpful extras. I thought I would not like the flip-flap screen..., but I do.
I do like the Creators'App that makes I can see the screen on my phone,
There is only one thing I wish..., a new 55mm f1.8 G sonnar, say 350gr.maxi.
Camera bodies these days are somewhat similar to computers. Would you really trade back to a computer that came to market 7 years ago in 2017 (A7RIII)? Now to be fair the A7RIII is a very good camera and can still take great photos. However its AF is no where close the the A7RV. One other thing the RIII's SD slots differ with one only supporting UHS-1 while the other does support UHS-II.
Regardless, it's easy enough to pull up the specs for all three bodies, but at that point only you can decide where your priorities fit with each one. Yes all three are reasonably similar in IQ, but that depends on a number of variables such as subject distance, cropping, scenery, action, lighting etc... You've got the A7RV which sits pretty much at the high end line up. Who knows what you'll be doing with it over the next X-years but IMO its better to go forward with a current model vs starting the journey by taking a step backwards. JMTC
I agree with those who say that the resolution increase is probably not really noticeable, unless you shoot and compare images directly, and even then it’s not like those extra pixels really make a significant difference. Having said this I can’t see a reason for going back since it won’t save you anything significant and the 5 does have some improvements. Personally I find the R3 sluggish in operation and not an ergonomic pleasure to shoot with, but the files are very nice, and I’m not sure the 5 is any faster. I think I’d need an A9 or A1 to match OM systems OM1 responsiveness.
You have to trust your own judgement. I’ve gone from the a7R to the a7R II to the a7R III to the a7R V. I have had no temptation to go back from any of the upgrades. I’m very happy with the a7R V.
But only you can answer if it makes sense for you.
A7rV is a very well rounded camera that is joy to use. However, thinking of A7rIII, differences in responsiveness or speed are not huge. Even though A7rV has much better af, is, evf, ergonomics and somewhat more pleasing colors, in most scenarios both cameras take the same pictures.
A7rIII is still perfectly viable choice for someone on budget doing mainly landscape type photography. If interested in speed, I suggest to take a look at A9 or A1.
I do agree that the 42mp sensor in the a7RIII had special sauce, and I wish that Sony would have continued to develop that one instead of going to 61 MP, which honestly is an overkill for my photography (occasional extreme cropping aside).
But there is no way I'm going back to that generation of camera at this point. First of all, operationally it is a much slower system (boot times, operating menus, buffers, etc) - it would drive me nuts (then again, I get irritated in cars where I have to wait 3-4 secs for the backup camera to engage when I put the car in reverse...).
If I wanted/needed to save $1,000 I would be fine going with an a7IV. Excellent sensor, same horrible read-out speed as the a7RV ;-) But modern menu and operations, quick switch to video, etc. Sure, you would miss the AI-driven AF, lower res EVF and monitor, which also is not vari-angle, but still, I could easily get that to work.
I would still wait until Nov 19 to see what they announce. It is probably an a1 Mk II, but it might be an a7V so that might be the time to pick up an a7IV.
A7R5 ist not about 61MP... it feels same as 41, 45 or 50...
The big plus points of the R5 are the better AF performance (better than A7 IV), the swivel display, the much better IBIS (at present only A9 III has same stabi level), the bigger viewfinder.
And better menu structure than older models...
So I sold after summer holidays my A7 IV... which was the better, more responsive camera than my former A7R2-3.
patotts wrote:
But there is no way I'm going back to that generation of camera at this point. First of all, operationally it is a much slower system (boot times, operating menus, buffers, etc) - it would drive me nuts (then again, I get irritated in cars where I have to wait 3-4 secs for the backup camera to engage when I put the car in reverse...).
Like others have mentioned, the A7RIII feels pretty sluggish. It may be hard to notice how operationally slow it is if the RIII is your only or newest camera. Sony really has made things much snappier since the "new menu" bodies starting with the A7IV.
I have used the RIII, IV, and RV for work, and again like what has been mentioned, the A7IV and A7RV feel very similar. IMO, they are more or less identical cameras unless I push the A7RV to its limit or use its exclusive advanced features. If it's for walkabout and family photos, the A7IV is waayy more than good enough.
I had been debating A7RV vs A7IV as well and decided the A7RV to be able to offset the Sigma 500 f/5.6 inability to use TC (Sony restriction). The larger sensor would give me more leeway on my crops.
