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New Sony A7 and A7r readers tests…


SONY A7R Unboxed, Size comparison with M9 & OM-D, plus lens adapters for M Mount and Canon

SAR readers are receiving their A7-A7r cameras. You are free to send me your testings so that I can post them on SAR. Here is a first roundup (more will follow soon):

Readers mail:

Chandler: “I found some really interesting video quality tests featuring the a7, a7r, RX10, and the 7D:
Part 1 – Noise in Video Mode (a7r, RX10, 7D): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnXYhXPvXeo
Part 2 – Dynamic Range/Noise (a7, a7r): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cch1LJxP634
Part 3 – Underexpose > bringing it back in post (a7, a7r, RX10, 7D): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5zYH7YhRW8
Part 4 – Moire and Image Detail (a7, a7r, RX10, 7D): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zEQlGd0FC8
Part 5 – Video Autofocus (a7, a7r): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmj17IFjyT4
On personal note, I am utterly shocked at the quality of the RX10 footage. It clearly surpasses the a7r and a7 not only in the image detail/moire test but matches it on the noise front and holds detail in the blacks better! Whatever Sony did to get that full-read-out of the 1″ chip on the RX10 is amazing, and I hope they find a way to implement that feature on APS-C/Super 35mm sensors in the near future!”

Ohm: “Though I may be in the minority here, I would like to share with Ai/S Nikon lens users the ins and outs of the Sony a7r, which I picked up just today. I’ve put up a few pictures showing Nikon lenses attacked to the a7r via the excellent Novoflex adapter.
I feel that the a7r will be a good system, but it isn’t ready to replace a dedicated Nikon SLR- at least not for manual focusing. Even with focusing aids, it seems that the a7r isn’t as good a platform with fast glass like the Nikkor 50/2 Ai. It works, but it works as via proxy- and at times slowly.
But I’m a still life audio photographer. The D800 got in my way. I have time to shoot and Sony’s live view is far better than Nikon’s. So is its wireless tethering options for iPhone and iPad. I use these tools as I set up a shot, often moving reflectors and flags a hundred times in order to get the right light.
Anyway, I am putting together a few thoughts (and images) of the a7r with the tools of my trade and will compile a list of do’s and don’ts for the system. I’m quite excited, but am not confident that the a7 or r will replace a good OVF system for fast manual glass usage for event photographers who are on flashes and strobes and in need of the best interface for their lenses.
You can find my growing summary here:
http://ohm-image.net/opinion/photophile/sony-alpha-a7r-and-novoflex-nexnik-and-astatnex”

Miguel: “RAW2NEF support for SONY A7 and A7r ARW files is complete, and ready to receive the A7s next week. Find here a complete release, including Windows binaries for 64 and 32 bit, a Mavericks Mac Os binary, and the source code to compile it in any other Mac OS version. http://bagnonm.blogspot.com.es/search/label/RAW2NEF“

Albert: “Just got my a7r, put it on Noctilux 0.95…Woo, I am 100% impressive. The color it render (even jpg) is better than M240 in my mind. Still, M9 is still the best but the details it brings, IMPRESSIVE! These may be news anymore. Use as you want. Or just enjoy how Sony bring to us.  Have Fun!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68666702@N00/10867671625/sizes/o/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68666702@N00/10867954923/sizes/o/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68666702@N00/10867980193/sizes/o/in/photostream/
All are full size jpg.”

Byhyew: “Admin, I just did a review with a production sample A7 and Voigtlander 21 1.8 combo.
It was freezing on the Eiffel Tower and I didn´t bring a tripod.
But I was able to quickly snap some shots at ISO400 and ISO800, if I recall correctly, with the camera held on the fence.
I posted my review on xitek, at http://forum.xitek.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1237149&pid=50839317&ordertype=1&extra=#pid50839317
The 100% images are available on FLICKR, at http://www.flickr.com/photos/23000374@N05/10967370475/”

Cityusam: “Legacy lens test:
http://cityusam01.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-a7-with-21mm-28mm-leica-ltm-m.html
http://cityusam01.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-a7-with-35mm-leica-ltm-m-mount-lens.html
http://cityusam01.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-a7_14.html
http://cityusam01.blogspot.com/2013/11/sony-a7-with-75mm-leica-ltm-m-mount-lens.html”

Anonymous: “Sony A7R Menu Walkthrough on Youtube.”

—

Specs and Preorders in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.

Specs and Preorders in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,  WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony  DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.

Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.

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36 Responses

      1. If you don’t want to read information other than rumors then don’t read it. I’m sure others are very much interested in reviews etc as well.

        Dear Admin, please keep up the good work, and give what ever you can about these cameras :-))

        Reply

  2. If there are any readers using the A7R with the LAEA4 and legacy Minolta AF lenses it would be great to hear your comments.

    I think the value of this site is that there are clearly separate categories of Rumors and Reviews etc. So if you don’t want to read anything other than rumors, you don’t have to….. And by their very nature, reviews are largely personal and subjective – every reader can decide how much to believe or ignore.

    Reply

    1. And since almost every photographer seems to have preordered a 7(r), I expect a spamming of unboxing/reviews/comparisions.

      Reply

    2. I would love to see this. I would love to know if the new adapter will disable the Af light like my version 2 did other than that I expect it to work just like the version 2 adapter.I sold the adapter because both the camera af light and the flash af light are disabled with the adapter which sucks because I was doing a lot of club photography at the time.

      Reply

  3. Sanjio – thanks for the introductory video. Next time, why don’t you try shooting it with a full frame camera so that you can get it all in.

    Reply

    1. Great tip – now back up to “€1,424.90”. However, as long as supply is there, downward price pressure will predominate.

      Reply

  8. Could someone please test if the a7 sensor overheats when shooting long clips in video mode? The manual warns of this but so far nobody has tested it

    Reply

  9. His set-up is EXACTLY what I’d have- that’s what this camera was for. You don’t go around with crazy long primes or zooms. It’s about a nice wide-angle, 35mm and 50mm. Look at how damn small that is! Hikers rejoice!!!!

    I have so much alpha gear and don’t need this, but I am very intrigued. That set-up can cover 80% of what many photographers shot.

    Reply

    1. It’s a pity that there’s issues with most RF UWA, in particular the Voigtlander UWAs that I was looking forward to use with the A7r. Guess I’ll have to wait for Zeiss announcement next year, I hope they have some UWA in the plans 🙂

      I heard they’ll likely update their ZM optics to work properly on a digital sensor. I just hope they don’t change the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar look, that lens is gold!

      Reply

      1. Yes I was hoping fpr a few UWA options , though its a bit beefy lol my 14-24mmF2.8 works perfectly with my D800 so I will just have to stick with it till a smaller lighter fast prime or two come along.Its a tough life at times lol

        Reply

    1. You’ve never shot an M9, have you?

      DxO’s testing methods are fun for armchair Internet geartography, but really are absurd to try and match up to real world usage. If you followed their lens recommendations all the time, you’d have a lot of crappy lenses in your bag.

      The M9 delivers incredibly detailed, richly-colored, subtle, and interesting images. It falls apart at higher ISOs (even though the noise isn’t pig-disgusting like many CMOS sensors). Scored be damned, it far exceeds any APS sensor out there and offers an alternative aesthetic vs. the current FF sensors.

      People in my home will actually comment on and be able to single out the M9-captured photos in prints.

      DxO can’t capture that with some charts.

      Reply

      1. @Bart

        “DxO’s testing methods are fun for armchair Internet geartography, but really are absurd to try and match up to real world usage. If you followed their lens recommendations all the time, you’d have a lot of crappy lenses in your bag.”

        I am actually a pro photographer with 20+ yrs experience and yes I have used an M9 quite extensively one of my photographers uses it. And I fully stand by my assertions for a FF sensor in this generation the M9 sensor is woeful. A couple of nice lenses does not compensate for its many weaknesses.

        I see you take the usual Leica defensive approach along the lines of you cant see it or measure it but the magic is there , please. Most reasonably proficient professional shooters making a decent living can comfortably afford the overpriced and grossly over hyped Leica gear there are a multitude of reasons why probably less than 1:1000 do so.

        Reply

          1. It was done by picking the best currently available models in each system, if you wish to cherry pick then how does it look when compared to the EP1. . The lowest mp current gen Nikon APS is 24mp { d7100,d5200, and d5300}with FF the only model lower than 24mp is the very specialist high ISO high speed D4 the D600/D610/D800/D800e are all 24mp or higher.

            If it makes you feel better to rig the comparison so that you get to select any mFT you like while only selecting old tech from APS do it.But lets not pretend it is a fair comparison , like nearly all claims posted by mFT users there is always a twist to try and favor them.

            Everything I posted was correct and easily confirmed ,if you want a weather sealed body with built 100% ovf/evf and match the best lenses for mFT ,you can save a lot of money by choosing Nikon APS + Nikon glass.

            The only comparison that matters is with regard to what the current state of the art is

          2. It was done by picking the best currently available models in each system, if you wish to cherry pick then how does it look when compared to the EP1. . The lowest mp current gen Nikon APS is 24mp { d7100,d5200, and d5300}with FF the only model lower than 24mp is the very specialist high ISO high speed D4 the D600/D610/D800/D800e are all 24mp or higher.

            If it makes you feel better to rig the comparison so that you get to select any mFT you like while only selecting old tech from APS do it.But lets not pretend it is a fair comparison , like nearly all claims posted by mFT users there is always a twist to try and favor them.

            Everything I posted was correct and easily confirmed ,if you want a weather sealed body with built 100% ovf/evf and match the best lenses for mFT ,you can save a lot of money by choosing Nikon APS + Nikon glass.

            The only comparison that matters is with regard to what the current state of the art is. I chose the best mFT sensor with the best mFT lenses and compared them directly to the best APS sensor with comparable focal length /aperture Nikon lenses the only difference is that the Nikon kit hundreds of pounds cheaper.

  13. >>but it isn’t ready to replace a dedicated Nikon SLR- at least not for manual focusing. Even with focusing aids, it seems that the >>a7r isn’t as good a platform with fast glass like the Nikkor 50/2

    I totally disagree. The opposite is right. With the Canon 50/1.2 and focus peaking you get much better results than with any other DSLR with MF and AF. Actually it make AF obsolete, if you are not a high speed action photograph. E.g. with the Canon 5DIII you only can use the center Focus points at f/1.2. That’s how it works. There is now way to get anything in the corners sharp, unless you guess. . With FP this is not true any more. You can focus on any part of the picture even with very fast lenses wide open. Trick is to set Creative Style to B&W and turn Sharpening all the way up. This way you are able to focus on the light reflex in the eyes. That is where portrait focus should be, not on the eyebrow, or somewhere around the eye.

    Actually a the A7r is made for MF and with a lens like the Otus 55, you will be able to get breathtaking results. Hard to to get any where else.

    Reply

    1. That’s exactly the irritating point. I want the A7r for MF lenses only, but the information about magnification and peaking is very contradicting. So thanks for your comment Fritz. I’d appreciate it if there was some explanation on youtube with a demo what we can see through the EVF while manual-focusing. I hope that question will be sorted out over time when the more and more tests will show up. And within a year Zeiss will bring its native MF lens line for the A7r, what I interpret as a good reason to go with the A7 camera line.

      Reply

    2. Hello Fritz,

      Thank you for your comment. I am the author of the ohm article. Commenting from a position speed, focus peaking is much slower than focusing fast glass through a decent OVF. The D800’s OVF isn’t great, but nailing printable focus sharpness on lenses of f/2 from 50 to 100 is much faster with the D800 than with the a7r. However, absolute 100% focus accuracy is better with focus peaking or expanded view.

      The problem is that the Sony EVF isn’t nearly as high resolution as it should be for its size. What you see is blocky and rather low contrast. Next to even just an okay OVF, it is harder to nail critical focus. It takes longer. There is lag, frame dropping, and the constant EVF adjustments no matter the metering mode and environmental setting you have chosen.

      I am not saying the D800 is better at 100% accurate focusing than a good EVF with expandable view. It is however much faster, and suffers no lag. It is very hard to come down to an EVF like the a7r because of the feeling of disconnect that I get from the EVF.

      I assume that EVFs will get better, but they are no way ready to replace a good OVF for fast, accurate focusing. With AF lenses, I think the OVF is probably already out of date. But then, with AF, any viewfinder exists only to help you frame.

      The D800’s OVF is small and not that bright compared to some other Nikon SLR cameras, but it is vastly superior for fast lenses if your eyesight is descent when it is necessary to nail focus to printable levels in under a second. There simply are fewer mitigating factors.

      Again, if you more time and can wait for the minute lags the camera hangs from time to time, I expect phenomenal images when focused just from the EVF. But I don’t. I’m an event photographer at times and any delay the camera causes is anathema to a good final output. I have tested the D800 and a7r back to back with the same lenses and found the same thing true. The EVF silly isn’t able to keep up with movement as well as the D800 is, and even with static images, the OVF gives a more stable view with far better contrast for critical print-level quality.

      Reply

  14. Wow, RX10 video noise is at least 2 stops better than 7D, more like 3 stops even. Unbelievable! And where are you going to find 24-200 f/2.8 lens for 7D even to stay at the same ISO? 😉

    Reply

  15. Watching these videos is torture 😉 I want my A7R to come in already, but I’m in the US so its not getting released for another week 🙁

    Reply

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