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Sony A7* range
- Thread starter C.J
- Start date
I've owned my Canon 500D since 2010, which was my first 'proper' camera. I used the kit lens for ~18 months before buying a Sigma 17-50 2.8. Then got the Canon 50mm 1.8, and recently a Sigma 50mm 1.4.
TLDR:
My requirements:
I've wanted to go fullframe for the last couple of years, and was weighing up what to get. I knew I wanted better IQ, better AF points, and possibly AF in movie mode. I was excited by having a bigger camera, I'm of the mindset the bigger the camera, the more impressive you look.
I had a budget of ~£1,000 for a new body, and the 6D seemed the best all-rounder for my needs. Great IQ, FF, can keep my new Sigma 1.4 lens.
Compared A7* to a 6D:
The A7 caught my eye, and I decided to compare it to the 6D (I was practically hovering over the buy now). What put me off initially was the size (it looked tiny) and the fact that I'd be moving to a totally different camera layout. Mirror-less interested me.
The first comparison I did was with snapsort: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Sony-A7
The 6D comes out on top, by quite some margin too (95 vs. 79 points). But when I actually compared them, the Canon advantages were irrelevant to me (lens selection, GPS, better battery life). Whereas the A7 looked better to me. Higher MP, better screen res, video, IQ, more AF points (117 vs. 11), more cross focus (25 vs. 1).
So for my requirements the Sony A7 was the better choice. It would either mean buying a Sony lens or getting an adapter to use the Sigma lens.
I popped into Jessops to get a feel for the body (make sure going smaller than my 500D was a choice I'd be happy with), and the EVF was ok to use. It felt heavier than the 500D but noticeably smaller. I was sold................. until I saw the A7ii.
Compared the A7* range:
I now knew I wanted a Sony A7*, but I noticed there was the A7, A7ii, A7S and A7R.
Comparison: http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Comp...versus-Sony-A7S-versus-Sony-A7R___916_949_917
As soon as I realised the A7ii had stabilisation, I wasn't interested in the others at all (plus they were out of my budget). The A7ii has some slight body tweaks too which are beneficial to the user, like moving the shutter button to an obvious place, adding more custom buttons.
I decided I didn't want to keep the Sigma lens so needed a new lens. Unfortunately the biggest downfall with the Sony range is there lens choice. The good news is, the lenses they have are pretty decent (Carl Zeiss).
I pulled the trigger.
I opted for the A7ii with a Zeiss ZA 55mm 1.8 lens from Currys. I ended up spending double my budget (~£1,940) but I can get £200 cashback from Sony, plus £30 Quidco and sell the Sigma 50mm for ~£180.
Compared to the 500D it's tiny. The 500D has the Sigma 50mm on, which is a beast of a lens anyway.
This is with the Canon 50mm 1.8 in the middle. Similar size.
First impressions:
It's heavy, in fact it feels heavier than the Canon, and the metal body makes it feel quality. It's fast, sharp and the IQ is a huge step up over my last setup (as people have said, it was only a Sigma). The EVF is totally different, seeing what the photo will look like before you press the shutter is great.
The menu is going to take some getting used to, but I'm enjoying it already (I need to spend some time reading the manual). I took it out shopping on Saturday to Leeds, and I felt like a tourist with a P&S rather than trying too hard with a DSLR, I felt I could blend in. It's still early days, but overall I'm 100% happy with my move to Sony.
I'm keeping the Canon gear and giving it to my wife, she was using it anyway to take family photos, and there's no way I want her using the Sony :wink:
TLDR:
Bought a Sony A7ii and Carl Zeiss 55mm 1.8
My requirements:
I've wanted to go fullframe for the last couple of years, and was weighing up what to get. I knew I wanted better IQ, better AF points, and possibly AF in movie mode. I was excited by having a bigger camera, I'm of the mindset the bigger the camera, the more impressive you look.
I had a budget of ~£1,000 for a new body, and the 6D seemed the best all-rounder for my needs. Great IQ, FF, can keep my new Sigma 1.4 lens.
Compared A7* to a 6D:
The A7 caught my eye, and I decided to compare it to the 6D (I was practically hovering over the buy now). What put me off initially was the size (it looked tiny) and the fact that I'd be moving to a totally different camera layout. Mirror-less interested me.
The first comparison I did was with snapsort: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Sony-A7
The 6D comes out on top, by quite some margin too (95 vs. 79 points). But when I actually compared them, the Canon advantages were irrelevant to me (lens selection, GPS, better battery life). Whereas the A7 looked better to me. Higher MP, better screen res, video, IQ, more AF points (117 vs. 11), more cross focus (25 vs. 1).
So for my requirements the Sony A7 was the better choice. It would either mean buying a Sony lens or getting an adapter to use the Sigma lens.
I popped into Jessops to get a feel for the body (make sure going smaller than my 500D was a choice I'd be happy with), and the EVF was ok to use. It felt heavier than the 500D but noticeably smaller. I was sold................. until I saw the A7ii.
Compared the A7* range:
I now knew I wanted a Sony A7*, but I noticed there was the A7, A7ii, A7S and A7R.
Comparison: http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Comp...versus-Sony-A7S-versus-Sony-A7R___916_949_917
As soon as I realised the A7ii had stabilisation, I wasn't interested in the others at all (plus they were out of my budget). The A7ii has some slight body tweaks too which are beneficial to the user, like moving the shutter button to an obvious place, adding more custom buttons.
I decided I didn't want to keep the Sigma lens so needed a new lens. Unfortunately the biggest downfall with the Sony range is there lens choice. The good news is, the lenses they have are pretty decent (Carl Zeiss).
I pulled the trigger.
I opted for the A7ii with a Zeiss ZA 55mm 1.8 lens from Currys. I ended up spending double my budget (~£1,940) but I can get £200 cashback from Sony, plus £30 Quidco and sell the Sigma 50mm for ~£180.
Compared to the 500D it's tiny. The 500D has the Sigma 50mm on, which is a beast of a lens anyway.
This is with the Canon 50mm 1.8 in the middle. Similar size.
First impressions:
It's heavy, in fact it feels heavier than the Canon, and the metal body makes it feel quality. It's fast, sharp and the IQ is a huge step up over my last setup (as people have said, it was only a Sigma). The EVF is totally different, seeing what the photo will look like before you press the shutter is great.
The menu is going to take some getting used to, but I'm enjoying it already (I need to spend some time reading the manual). I took it out shopping on Saturday to Leeds, and I felt like a tourist with a P&S rather than trying too hard with a DSLR, I felt I could blend in. It's still early days, but overall I'm 100% happy with my move to Sony.
I'm keeping the Canon gear and giving it to my wife, she was using it anyway to take family photos, and there's no way I want her using the Sony :wink:
Last edited:
Geddes
ClioSport Club Member
Fiesta Mk8 ST-3
you do make some good write ups like, and saw your pics with your new Sony they are really sharp like, they ooze quality far better than your 500D. I still got my 500D like and 5D mk3 is the way to go don't think the 6D is the one unless the mk2 is better.
You made a good choice on the A7ii like looks nice
You made a good choice on the A7ii like looks nice
Yeh I agree, if I could afford/justify a 5Diii I would have naturally gone to it.
But today, this camera suits my needs/budget better.
Ay Ay Ron
ClioSport Club Member
Good write up @C.J - I know a couple of people that use this range and they produce some fantastic photo's.
I like the fact that the camera is small and fairly lightweight (compared to FF bodies) which would make it a good choice for carrying round all day. I think if I ended up changing system for any reason, this would be the one I changed to.
Look forward to seeing more images. Have you decided on future lenses or are you going to stick with the 55 for now?
@Geddes I slightly disagree with you re the 5dmk3/6d. There's a massive gulf in price and in reality, very little difference to someone who doesn't specialise in a certain subject, ie sports. For landscape there will be no notable difference. For the difference of £500 I'd rather have the 6 and then buy a new lens (I did an awful lot of research into it before I opted for the 6)
A couple of comparisons.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-vs-Canon-EOS-6D
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/6d/vs-5d-mark-iii.htm
I like the fact that the camera is small and fairly lightweight (compared to FF bodies) which would make it a good choice for carrying round all day. I think if I ended up changing system for any reason, this would be the one I changed to.
Look forward to seeing more images. Have you decided on future lenses or are you going to stick with the 55 for now?
@Geddes I slightly disagree with you re the 5dmk3/6d. There's a massive gulf in price and in reality, very little difference to someone who doesn't specialise in a certain subject, ie sports. For landscape there will be no notable difference. For the difference of £500 I'd rather have the 6 and then buy a new lens (I did an awful lot of research into it before I opted for the 6)
A couple of comparisons.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-vs-Canon-EOS-6D
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/6d/vs-5d-mark-iii.htm
For now I'm sticking with the 55mm, but the 35 would tempt me if the price was right. I've never had or needed a zoom, so doubt I'd go for one.
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