Sony A7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only

Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only

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• Video Capture Resolution: Fhd 1080P
• Mounting Type: Bayonet

Buy Now : Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only

Brand : Sony
Category : Electronics,Camera & Photo,Digital Cameras,Mirrorless Cameras
Rating : 4.3
Review Count : 380

Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only

• After about 6 months of research and waiting, I got my a7, knowing that it is not a perfect camera, but that it is exactly what wanted. There are a ton of reviews of this camera out there telling you the pro\'s and con\'s and its features, you can read about them or watch a ton of video reviews, there is no lack of information about this camera on the internet, especially after it was named camera of the year by pop-photo magazine. So to variate from a typical review, I will give you a different perspective from a camera junkie who loves photography and has been doing it for a long time...This camera is targeted to the semi-pro or high end consumer who wants great quality pictures in a small package (you know that already) what I\'ll tell you is that, as that semi-pro, I\'m surprised and very pleased with my new a7. I\'ve been shooting it for about 15 days now, I have the Zeiss 55mm f1.8 and the 24-70mm f4. The zoom lens is great (though it\'s gotten some bad reviews), but I really like the 55mm F1.8, which couples great with the full-frame sensor on this beast. But since this review is for the a7, I\'ll focus on the camera it self:In my opinion, the camera really delivers in the Image Quality department, IQ is truly awesome and distinctive, specially if you compare it to other mirror-less cameras. No doubt the best IQ for any mirror-less camera option up-to-date (APR-2014), I had a Canon 5D mk3, (which I eventually got rid of due to its size and weight) and the pictures from this a7 are just as good as the 5Dmk3, in my opinion (without getting into technical details); however, its performance is not up-to-par with a pro-level-full-frame DSLR. This camera has some really cool features, but there are some annoying things that could be improved, like way the camera does auto ISO, the way apps work, and the (sometimes sluggish) focus system. Yet these are things that you can easily overcome by learning how to use the camera and tweaking it your way. Which brings me to another point: this camera is HIGHLY customizable, unlike previous versions of the NEX. Like any DSLR, you have to learn how to use this before you can start to get great shots consistently.The reason why I could not give it 5 stars is because I do not think its performance is optimized. By performance I mean the focus system, the battery life, the time it takes to turn it on, the slow FPS rate, the lack of stabilization-system (in-camera), and the AutoISO. But again, these are things that you can easily overcome.There is a large selection of compact mirror-less options out there, what makes this camera stand out is the large full-frame sensor, which produces some really special shots, better than any other mirror-less option out there. I also have an OMD EM5, which I love, and enjoy much. But it does not produce the quality images that I get from this a7. They are two different cameras, that in my opinion complement each other. Keeping in mind that the Sony FE system is still relatively new, the lens selection will hopefully grow for native mount full frame lenses, but having the option to adapt lenses from other systems and use the focus peaking system, makes this camera a ready-to-go option as well.The camera is easy to use, having had NEX cameras in the past, I feel that this menu system is an improvement, though there is still the need to dig around to find what you want. With the difference that you can customize the a7 to have all the features you use and need assigned to any button you want! Overall the camera feels rugged, solid/sturdy, not too heavy, not too light, VERY portable for a full frame with this type of IQ, and it is a total pleasure to use with just about any lens.There are complaints about the quality of the JPEGs, and clunkyness of the shutter vibration, which may cause camera-shake in long exposures. I recently updated the firmware, which is supposed to improve the IQ of JPEGs, and I really find the quality of my pictures (JPEGs and RAW) very nice, which is the main reason why I got this. Though I have to admit that for my special shots I only shoot RAW, then I work in post production using Lightroom 5, which has worked very well.As far as video, I don\'t use it often. Yesterday I went to a botanical garden and shot some video of flying butterflies, and I found the video quality of the MP4s in HD pretty decent, the camera does a great job focusing while panning and following moving objects. Again, I do not use the video much, and I\'m not a video expert, but it does a decent job for what I\'ve seen so far.Overall this is great buy, for $1600+ (at the time of this writing) it is the lowest priced high-end camera with a full-frame sensor, not to mention all of the features it has and the weather sealing... That\'s GREAT value! I think Sony will work out the kinks of the shutter noise and other performance issues in a later version of the camera, and me being the camera-junkie that I am, will probably upgrade when that comes out. That is not to say that I would upgrade right away. This is a very capable camera, that is a pleasure to use, and it produces pro-level images. In the end, as much as you love new technology and fancy features, good pictures are NOT taken by a good camera, they\'re taken by a good photographer! Which is why I really value how the camera feels when I am using it, the more comfortable you are with the camera, the better your pictures will likely be. I know you are reading this as part of your research to help you make a decision, so what I say to you is that: Understand that this is NOT a perfect camera, and that there are some things that a DSLR will do better, but if you want to have a very portable camera, capable of producing pro-level, high quality shots, with a few shortcomings, at a relatively affordable price for a full-frame, then this is your best bet right now. But if you don\'t mind carrying around a bigger camera, bigger lenses, and you have more money to spare, then there are better choices for you. I hope this helped you get closer to making a decision... Happy Shooting ;)UPDATE (for HDR lovers):I\'ve had the camera for almost a month now, recently took it to a trip in which I had a long lay-over in Paris, so I decided to go sight-seeing and took bracketed shots of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and other monuments. Then I put the shots together using HDR software. The results are absolutely stunning! this camera is spectacular for those who love to do HDR photographs. Let me be clear though: Not the HDR pictures that come out straight from the camera, but rather taking bracketed shots at different exposure levels then using HDR Efx pro or other software. The reason why this camera is so good for HDR is because of the different bracketing options, and the amazing dynamic range in each shot, even in low light and hand held (using the 24-70 that has OSS) I got surprising results that I have not had with my beloved OMD- EM5. I am really pleased with this camera.
• The A7 is better suited for studio and portrait. It\'s a great camera to use everyday as well but definitely not for sports action or telezoom. There\'s no telezoom lens until April and it\'s only 200mm.If you buy the A7/R with the Zeiss 35mm, 55mm and 24-70mm then you will have a solid system for portrait, studio and walk around system. You will probably be able the take the best pictures you\'ve ever taken for something this compact.Pros1. Amazing Picture Quality especially in RAW(ARW new format). Update your software to read this format. IQ higher than 5DMK3 but lower than Nikon D800.2. There are dedicated dials for aperture, shutter and exposure. No messing around with menus.3. Great EVF. The eye detection works great. It will turn off the screen and turn on the EVF when you put your face up on it.4. Hybrid AF has decent PDAF especially in daylight. Much faster and more accurate than any of the NEX series. Slower than my 5DMK3 and Nikon D800.5. Available Zeiss lenses are some of the best on the market regardless of what system you compare to. Check DXOmark to confirm.6. Very portable with the 35mm7. In camera usb charging. Great for traveling because there\'s one less thing to lose/carry/forget.8. NFC is convenient to quickly sling photos to your Android devices. Apple devices uses wifi which is also fast but a little less convenient.9. SD memory slot actually support UHS-1 speeds!! finally! My Nex 5R was severely handicapped because it only supported Class 10.10. Full Frame sensor. Compared to APS-C Nex series: less noise, more picture, etc...11. Video quality looks great. It has continuous focus and works well. Quality is higher than a Nikon D800 but lower than the 5DMK3.Cons1. Slow AF low light compared to DSLRs2. Battery life is short. Buy extra batteries and external charger!3. Bigger lens can throw the balance off and make it easy to slip out of your hands.4. Shutter vibrations confirmed to blur pictures under 1/160. Keep shutter speed 1/160 at least. Recommend 1/250.5. Very limited FE mount lens selection. You can use other E mount lens but most lenses will force you to crop.6. In camera usb charging. Charge time unacceptable ~5-6 hours.7. No dual memory slots.8. AF too slow to be effective for sports or anything fast moving.9. Scene modes doesn\'t work that well sometimes because of shutter vibrations. I don\'t think most people will be using these modes anyways.10. Annoying squishy feeling shutter button. There\'s no click to it at all.11. No touch screen. Don\'t understand this decision. I want a touch screen because it makes videos a whole lot easier.I don\'t see a point in reiterating what many reviews have already said so I will just answer the most common questions and misinformation. I will also update more as I go.The high ISO problem in Auto mode and shutter vibrationsFrom what I\'ve researched, these cameras have sensor shakes due to the shutter impacts. Anything slower than 1/160 sec shutter speed will show up in the picture. It is easily noticeable when you are at 1/60 and below. I highly recommend you use 1/250 or faster speed. I normally choose higher shutter speed anyways since the 55mm and 35mm does not have OSS. But OSS does not eliminate the shutter vibrations, just the hand shakes problems. So regardless of what lens you use, use high shutter speed.I honestly don\'t see much IQ degradation from ISO 320 to 1600 due to noise or details. It\'s when you hit 6400 that it becomes a problem. The sony A7/R will still have better IQ at ISO 1600 than an OMD EM1 at ISO 320. I wouldn\'t call that a con.In manual mode, auto iso should work properly if you choose aperture and shutter speed yourself. It should only come up with the correct ISO or the picture will be too bright. The complaints here sounds like people moving up from enthusiasts cameras and not fully knowing the professional side. Auto everything doesn\'t work and you don\'t use it. Pros will use some auto settings but not fully auto. The most common modes are aperture priority, shutter priority and manual. The high ISO problem also disappear when you turn off DRO. I prefer HDR over DRO anyways.If you buy this camera and pair it with good lens like the Zeiss 55mm and 35mm, then most of your problems are solved. You will actually get better IQ than a 5DMK3 with a 50mm 1.2L(I have this set up as well so I know). The 5DMK3 will have better AF, AF speed, and much much longer battery life though. Depending whether you are shooting from a Tripod or not, your choices are clear.The battery problem.We don\'t have much choices here. I hate the idea of a compact pro camera that can only get 340 shots. The good news is there is actually a battery grip. The bad news about that is it adds more bulk, weight and kind of defeating the whole purpose of being compact.However, I do like the added bulk of the grip. It does balance out the camera when you use bulkier lens like the Zeiss 55mm. It also gave me better grip and I feel more confident about not dropping it. Having 2 batteries does give me roughly the same amount of shoot time as a 5DMK3 with no battery grip. The bonus with the A7 is that it is still lighter and less bulky than the 5DMK3.It cost about $250 and there\'s bundles here for $250 with some accessories with a half decent SD card for back up. I would pick the one with the wall battery charger. I hate the in camera charging for obvious reasons.Good luck and I hope I answered the questions.I wish I could rate the camera as 4.5 stars. It seriously meets most marks. What it lacks is battery life(easy to fix) and good native lens collection(takes some time). There are only 4 FF Zeiss lenses but they are amazing. The 55mm Zeiss($1000) rivals the $4000 Otus for Nikon. I highly recommend you use the Zeiss 35mm and 55mm lens with this. It\'s actually relatively cheap compared to its performance.

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