I agree with you; storage is cheap nowadays and when it comes to the crunch, it's smaller and lighter than a Leica Q3, has better auto focus, better stabilization, and much cheaper.
it's moreso most people aren't equipped to handle it. More is always better, but once you're in the editing room your PC is gonna chug having to handle all of those pixels. In fact, this is a fairly crucial but kinda neglected detail when people are taking a look at high MP cameras.
@@Goodmanperson55 I don't agree. Even a mid range modern computer can work with a 60mp file without problem and I have no problem editing 150mp images when I hire a phase one.
@@Caballeroshot Any proper camera is too much for social media except the smartphone one, RUclips included. If people throwing around their money left and right for full frame TikTok shorts why not give 61MP to those morons? Easy money on stupid people!
Great video! In my case I've been using the original A7C for 2 years now and I'm gonna upgrade to this one. The 61mpx sensor is a beast and if you like smol bodies like this one, this is the camera, and regarding the sensor you can use your primes up to 1.5x on APSC mode with a 26mpx output which is more than the 24mpx from the original one. I think it's worth buying despite the little caveats that could make you go buy the A7RV, but I don't need two card slots and the joystick. So I think Sony created the perferct camera. Cheers!
The biggest advantage of this camera, is the aps c mode, 26mp.. If you set the file size to M raw lossless, you can go seamlessly between crop and FF. All your FF primes essentially become two lenses. Plus the size advantage when paired with excellent aps c glass like the Sigma 10-18, 18-50 f2.8, the Sony 70-350, you are all set. Plus there are so many FF small form lenses. I got the Sigma 45mm f2.8, so so tiny. I have two cameras in one with this a7cr.
33MP was considered high resolution not long ago, and our wall space hasn't really increased. In the meantime, only Sony's marketing for high MP cameras has intensified :-) People don't understand that in most cases you don't get 61MP real resolution: you get a 61Mp file but the real details depend on a lot of things. First, even the best lenses have an optimal aperture value, often it is f5.6 in the tests. If you don't shoot there, you lose details (as the tests show; and even if you shoot at the optimal aperture, you lose details already in the mid frame and edges so you don't achieve the full 61MP). And the lower MP camera would be more tolerable about lens quality. Second, the diffraction softness is more visible on a higher resolution sensor at the same aperture. If you shoot at f11-16 typically required for landscapes on a 61Mp camera, you don't get 61MP details due to diffraction softness. There are other conditions that affect real details. If money is no object, a 61MP camera will still give you more details than a 33MP camera, but the real gain is smaller than 61-33=28. Similarly for cropping. In APSC mode you get a 26MP file, but the amount of real detail is going to be less.
That's to much even for me…… Photography is art, and if I get good image - I get good image, I don't care about tiny loss of detais or softness in corners due to difraction, when I can have crop flexibility with out worrying to loose in quality generally
To be honest the Sony A7IV “Uncompressed RAW” have so much detail it’s perfect. 61mp are worthless if you don’t shoot uncompressed RAW. To me it’s a good camera only if you shoot uncompressed RAW other than that it’s overkill for most people. The a7iv is such a beast 15+ stops dynamic range super blue skies and crazy amount of details. Hope this helps you choose.
@@Vantrakter no. The best image quality you can get is Uncompressed RAW. File sizes are a little big but better than 61mp and offer tremendous amount of details and photo quality.
Good, honest review. The joystick issue is particularly enlightening. Since getting a pair of A7IIIs in 2028, I've used AF tracking and recomposed for 99% of the photos I've taken. It's just so much faster (for me at least) than messing around with a joystick or the touch screen. After many years working with DSLRs, this comes naturally, but the great thing now is that there's no risk of losing your focus plane when you recompose. It's a great way to work! Just a point on there being only one card. If you're a working photographer this can be scary. I'm hoping Sony will update Creators' App functionality for the A7CR, so you can record to cloud straight from the camera, like some other Sony models. This would mean full redundancy even with only one card. But in the meantime Tom, I'd suggest that rather than use high capacity cards, it's better to use multiple smaller cards (even though that means more card swapping), so you reduce the risk of losing everything if you experience a card failure. Better to lose a quarter of you images than all of them!
With respect to the file sizes, I shoot with the A7RV, with how many custom buttons there are, I was able to free up my 1,2,3 dial for Small, Medium, and uncompressed raw files. Absolute game changer. Here’s working example: Shooting a gym for social media, shot all of these on small. Still huge files for social media output. Then, the owner asked for headshots of the staff as he wanted to print and frame them around the gym. Went to setting 2 and instantly shot medium files and they printed fantastically. Then, a special moment happened where a trainer, a special needs carer and the special needs client were setting up for a really big achievement with the clients mobility. I flipped the dial to three where I am using uncompressed RAW. I captured the moment where they were all elated and shared some tears of joy over the significance of the moment. I did this with the thought to show the gym owner and client, with a view to a large print. The carer now has this image blown up in his business location in a huge print for all to see. I was so glad I had the forethought to do this, but more importantly, knowing the value of this sensor really demonstrates the opportunity these large files, and the flexibility of the smaller files can bring. I’d encourage anyone who doesn’t like editing the larger files to try this set up, and also to try the smaller ones. They are great to work with, and can save so much file space. ✌️
Thanks so much for sharing! I have the A7 IV but I am really attracted to the A7CR. I like your idea and execution of controlling the file sizes, where you can have the full 61MP when you want it and scale the sizes down easily when you don’t. You have to be intentional though and have to remember to change the settings…My A7 IV has loads of custom buttons that I love to exploit that help me quickly get the settings I want. Even with this, for me sometimes there is so much going on in front of me when I’m shooting people or an event that I can fall into “just get the shot” mode in the frenzy of a moment and only when I get home I think, “I should have went to XXX mode.” Still love your idea and the thought of this wonderfully flexible camera.
@@Cthames123 Very true. It is another thing to worry about. But it becomes second nature and I plan it as I am planning the shoot. All of that aside, it’s rather surprising how much I use the RAW small files. It’s almost always enough. So versatile. If you get the A7CR, I’m sure you’ll enjoy. This sensor and processor are both excellent.
I think the A7Cii is a more sensible choice... 33 MP is a lot of dots to work with, I think 60MP will be over kill for most, it is for me. If you need that much resolution, a Fuji GFX camera might be a better option IMO.
I would buy the A7CII instead of the A7CR any day. I know this has 60mp sensor, but the A7CII's 33mp is plenty enough for photography and is a better hybrid camera with more videofeatures.
07:55 actually one way to combat only having one card slot is to use several smaller cards rather than one big one. That way if a card fails, you only lose the images on that one card.
Thank you for the video. I’ve got the A7CR and I’m using mostly with the Sigma I series f/2 lenses even though I own the full series of GM primes from 14mm to 135mm and GMII zooms from 16mm to 200mm and others at 100-400 and 200-600. Typically Cary the 35/2, 65/2, and 90/2.8. Love its compact size so it’s a great camera to pair with my A1 or A7RV for travel as both a backup and as a solo camera when I really need to go light. Am wondering if the A7C II is better for low light though so I’m trying it as well. Very happy so far with the new 7C family as an add on to my other Sony bodies.
@@Jez1963UK Not everything but do feel pretty lucky. I have never bought a 300mm, 400mm, 600mm, or other large primes and I’m sure Sony will come out with new more exotic zooms that I won’t be getting.
Thanks Tom, enjoyed the video. FWIW, APS-C mode is perfectly usable on the 33MP cameras including the A7CII. You still get 14MP which is plenty for what many of us do.
I greatly enjoy using the A7CR with the 40 G. Other lenses I use it on for an easy carry are the 16-35 PZ and 70-200 G II. If I want a faster prime with me, I will add the ZA 55 to the mix.
To me, my Sony A7RIV is compact enough and when I mount the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm 2.8 ZA it is a very compact combo, I can carry it all day long, The A7RC and the A7CII is missing a joystick, the EVF on those is to small and to low resolution, the "fully" articulation screen makes the camera body too thick.
@@Thomasmcse what would you upgrade for? i've got the a7c too and the normal a7c ii does not tempt me in the slightest. this one, the a7c r only ever so slightly
@@neophobia404 That is a tough question. The better AI Focus, 33MP, and the new dial on the front are the points I'm considering. The overall Quality of the A7c is already good.
I want a modern camera (AI-AF, colors, video recording with newer cintetone and logs etc) but with the older 33 or 42 mpxl, and in a normal A7 body. Basically, if the A7IV got a few more AF updates via firmware it could be perfect. But I presume that is what they are gonna add with the A7v. I love the resolution of my A7Rii. But I do miss the modern AF system
I’ve been shooting with this camera for 3 months now and have grown to love it. Takes a while to customise the menu options the way you like, find lenses that work well for you etc. The quality of the photos coming out of this thing is astounding, the best camera I’ve ever owned in 40 years of photography.
Can you please teach me about the camera settings such as aperture priority or automatic mode, focus mode, focus area, continuous shooting or touch focus when shooting street photography with Sony apsc camera and Sigma lens 30mm1.4? thank you very much
kudos to Sony for taking chances and giving prosumers more choices that's why I switched from Nikon. Yes the A7CR is an expensive camera but I finally was able to pick one up for $2200 new with the current Sony trade-in promotion it's a fantastic second camera to my A7RV great video Tom
Really useful video review of this diminutive camera that I've recently managed to hold for less than two minutes. Anyhow, I think you tell it well. There are compromises that go with the size but there is a wonderful sensor at the heart of this jewel. I think it is a great camera, particularly for enthusiasts who think that size (and weight) matters. The shutter is different from the other a7 camera bodies that I've handled. So I don't feel confident with the unfamiliar sound. I'm wondering what is the life expectancy is in terms of shutter actuations. Do you have any idea? I currently use and love the a7IV but I'm seriously thinking of adding the a7CR plus a 40/2.5 lens for just everything that is convenient Plus teaming it up with the Samyang 75/1.8 lens. An interesting combo I think. Would appreciate your thoughts on any of my comments. Thanks.
Based on my experience with the original A7C and me debating buying the A7C II since it came out, I think you did an excellent job going over this camera. The massive headroom for cropping in post, allowing you to take only one wide-ish prime is THE argument for me in favor of the A7CR. ...the price tag is THE argument against it. :D And even though video isn’t that important to me, the resolution options and resulting quality is another pro for the A7C II.
Consider using the Lossless Compressed (L) size over the Compressed version. The file sizes are _very_ similar but give you more stops of dynamic range iirc.
Very good instincts on vital points & apt comparison. Very good as usual with bullet point of crucial facts figures specs & personal experience. Being a nice bloke doesn't hurt either, cheers & keep going 💪 keep it filmic & street focused 🛣️🎥📷📸
Very good video, the comparison between the ILCE-7CR and the ILCE-7M4 surprised me. You speak very fast but your accent is very clear at the same time; I think I haven't missed any word and I'm a non-native speaker, from which city are you from?
I like the fact that it looks like any regular point n shoot camera, so you blend in more and not look like a 'protographer' with RIR or V. Also you can use APSC glass and still have 26mp on crop.
I preordered the A7Cii, snapped back in to reality and canceled to buy an a7ci. As a casual shooter it's more than enough and I used the difference in cost to buy the 24mm & 40mm G, Tamron 75mm 1.8 and the TTArtisan 50mm 0.95
Hey Tom I would say that the physical size and weight are significant on the Sony a7cr. Almost 6 ounces lighter and if you hold them much different ergonomically. God point on cropping with a 60mp camera is very true. As you said there are alternatives but each buyer has their own criteria.
Megapixel boosting is quickly making carrying a zoom a thing of the past. 35-40mm is such a gorgeous focal length, and the Sony lenses are just beast-mode on focusing, etc. Rocking the a7c and I have zero desire to upgrade immediately. Still, excellent video as always. Only quibble: your vids border on too fast, like Gerald Undone, and I think we need to reflect on this - do we really want to be consuming content at this rate / quality. How does it affect the overall experience? It's got to be more than a high-paced data download. Good luck.
Never actually thought about it but the shape of any DSLR cameras was dictated by the prism that sat on top of the camera. Mirrorless doesn't have that prism anymore so why do they still shape cameras like that? To make it look "professional"?
Unfortunately it was just a loaner, so I had to give it back. I didn't want to though! And personally, I'm a big fan of the 40mm for street and candid photography 😊
I’m between the A7Riv vs the A7CR. I wish the cr had the tilt screen, I’m not a fan of having pull the screen aside to tilt it. It takes the small form factor away.
If i buy aps c lenses for the a7cr wont the image crop to 26 MP photos? I can’t shoot 61mp with crop lenses right? Am just not sure how it works .. since the a7cr is full frame only the GM lenses would give me a full frame image right ?
I don’t care what anyone says. This is the perfect camera for anyone who wants to be mobile…. I got mine brand new right out of the box for $2200 from a film student who was trying to sell it because they got a grant for a no shit cinema camera to practice on. If you can pick this up relatively new for good deal… do it!
Genuinely really enjoyed using it. It's small, light, fast to focus, sharp. I also like the 35mm focal length, and this 40mm is not far from that. So, overall, no complains at all from me!
Well, I think I'd often use the M-RAW option with 26 MP for casual shooting. As a side effect I could switch to crop mode seamlessly in terms of resolution. In fact, I might attach my Sony 16-55 F2.8 G on some occasions in the first place.. 🤷♂
Concerning edit times you could pivot away from high single core performance CPUs (gaming cpu) to higher overall core count CPUs - your options are to go with newer gen CPUs with high core counts or even get a workstation cpu (threadripper/some xeons) Ofc check the benchmarks for your software/application.
you should try electronic shutter and get really close to your subject and they won't know you are shooting at all. I am doing this with my voiglander 15 and laowa 14.
@@sumitino It's an Electronic First Curtain Shutter. It's not a terrible thing, but if you like to shoot images with a shallow depth of field for that smooth bokeh and you are shooting at shutter speeds above, i believe, 1/1000 or 1/2000, you'll see the bokeh balls cut off. Is it the end of the world? No. It's up to you to decide how important that it is to you. This video shows what happens when you use EFCS on the a7IV instead of the full mechanical: ruclips.net/video/veXC56OCVzU/видео.html
How fast is your PC? I've got a 3080ti and it seems like I could sell my card and get a 3090 for only ~£50. That of course would double the memory - which is what I'm seeing all Adobe products fill up. I've got 32gb of DDR5, that also fills up, so it seems like more Ram and the 3090 would be ideal for a few years to come.
Hello ! Having worked with 61MP photos I can tell you several things. Firstly, yes, it allows you to recrop the image to adjust its composition, but at what cost? The files are very large to store, and working with them on Lightroom requires a fairly powerful PC. All this to finally recrop 5% of your photos. It would undoubtedly be more appropriate to shoot in 33 / 24 MP and upscale the image you want to crop using AI tools. Have a nice day!
If you shoot wildlife or Macro photography, maybe street, wedding - you have a big chance to crop the best images and composition. If you choose Mraw you have a 26 mpx.... A7CR is a great camera. The camera has 8 time fast BionzXr than A7 IV CPU, and the detail is outstanding compare to A7 III or A7 IV Cameras because lawpass filter is missing. It`s a great thing for eyes of animals or birds.
I had the option of buying this camera, but I went with a Leica M8 instead... I checked out both and used them for a day. I felt the Sony was just so boring, it didnt interest me to use it nearly as much as my Leica M
Hey! I haven't tested the Nikon ZF (yet) so it wouldn't be fair for me to comment. Though, if you're planning on using that specific lens, it might be a bit unbalanced on the A7CII as it's quite a big lens on a small camera body. Just something to consider!
imagine today's technology with a 12mp sensor. it could take an image of a blackhole showing 12 steps of dynamic range in the blackness... but no we need to continue the megpixelwar.
1:37 no way that's 2cm? EDIT: Okay I looked it up, I don't know why the dimensions vary depending on what website you see it from, but the difference in width is about 5mm, so half a centimeter, which checks out visually a whole lot more. Not super important, but it is less of a difference than 2cm makes it sound.
The A7cII is a ''compromised'' if (we talk buffer, viewfinder, Buttons, etc. version of the A7IV) Saying that that AI subject detection is out of this world and I think this is cam that we're going to talk about a lot more in 2024 than the A7CR. A7CII also seems to have less rolling shutter for video.Well let's see what you make of it.
6 months later and we’re really not talking about it that much. To me, the Sony Ai AF is the only feature worth buying in 2024 into 2025. Im actually considering selling my A74 to get into “any body” with the new Sony Ai AF, it’s that good - to me.
It's absolutely fine, IMO. I know a lot of people moan about it being "low Res" but honestly, unless you're super picky about that kind of thing, it's unlikely to bother you. That said, I found myself using the flip out screen more than the EVF.
Remind me of samsung and their 200mp sensor marketing which turn out to be very bad but of course the youtubers/influencers were all singing high praise when it first come out😂
I have the S24ultra and it's 200mp so called output..I also have the A7CII... there is NO comparison..the Sony A7CII will beat the 200mp samsung any day and twice on Sundays 😆 But I am wondering about upgrading to the A7CR... 🤔
I have to disagree with you on the size.. The A7C ii is night n day difference in size n form factor compared to my A7IV. Perfect for a introvert photo/videographer like myself. I looks like a smart phone in your hands mate loool
Until you pared it with sony 24-70mm GM ii, hence it makes no difference. This compact camera only suitable for prime lenses or small zoom lens such sony latest 24-50mm G. Overall it will makes the whole setup completely compact. A7iv with prime lens gonna makes it look compact too.
@@TomCalton understood. As someone who never had a camara with a Joystick, I find that when I try to use the joy stick it is slower than focus hold/recompose. (and more reliable). :)
@@PuReXtremeGaming I set my focus to AF-C and center area focus. I move the camera around to put the AF box on my subject, then press the AF-ON or half press the shutter to enable focus tracking on the subject. From there recompose you shot then press the shutter.
See no reasons not to use regular a7 iv body with small lens like 40mm. The lens makes much more difference than body, and 33mpix is still more than 24 and 12 and is still a lot for cropping. And maybe that why Sony haven’t implemented focus breathing compensation for this compact lenses on a7 iv. Another artificial limitation, because it can be solved just adding several files into firmware and should not be a big deal. But in this case shifty 7c cameras would have not enough reasons to be bought. The same as smaller grip on zv-e1, because it looks like totally unusable. So, Sony knows a little bigger grip is better for compact camera, but still implementing small grip on cheap blogger camera? I am using a7 iv with 28-60 f/4-5.6 and have no complains about. It is so compact I am putting it into 50 1.2 gm bag. I hate Sony marketing…
I agree with you 100%. I have the A7 IV and the smaller lens look just as nice and cute and offer every bit the compactness on my A7 IV as they do on the A7C line. You don’t need the A7C series cameras to benefit from the size factor of the 24, 40, 50, G or the compact kit lenses The pictures and youtube videos suggest. I like the idea of the A7CR’s 61 MP sensor am seeing some compelling reasons to add it…I’m just having a hard time coming to grips with the $3,000 part,😮(ouch).
ye once you put on most lenses the body doesn't really matter, unless you packing with the lenses off. I ordered a a7c2 but kind worried bout it being too small, I have small hands but a7iii atm feels nice to me and hand grip would be added weight.
I don’t understand the 61 mp criticisms. Leica has a lot of 60 mp cameras and no one laments over the file size.
I agree with you; storage is cheap nowadays and when it comes to the crunch, it's smaller and lighter than a Leica Q3, has better auto focus, better stabilization, and much cheaper.
it's moreso most people aren't equipped to handle it. More is always better, but once you're in the editing room your PC is gonna chug having to handle all of those pixels. In fact, this is a fairly crucial but kinda neglected detail when people are taking a look at high MP cameras.
@@Goodmanperson55 I don't agree. Even a mid range modern computer can work with a 60mp file without problem and I have no problem editing 150mp images when I hire a phase one.
It's because 99.9% of people will be taking pictures to share on social media where 61MP is about 50MP too much!
@@Caballeroshot Any proper camera is too much for social media except the smartphone one, RUclips included. If people throwing around their money left and right for full frame TikTok shorts why not give 61MP to those morons? Easy money on stupid people!
Great video! In my case I've been using the original A7C for 2 years now and I'm gonna upgrade to this one. The 61mpx sensor is a beast and if you like smol bodies like this one, this is the camera, and regarding the sensor you can use your primes up to 1.5x on APSC mode with a 26mpx output which is more than the 24mpx from the original one. I think it's worth buying despite the little caveats that could make you go buy the A7RV, but I don't need two card slots and the joystick. So I think Sony created the perferct camera. Cheers!
The biggest advantage of this camera, is the aps c mode, 26mp.. If you set the file size to M raw lossless, you can go seamlessly between crop and FF. All your FF primes essentially become two lenses. Plus the size advantage when paired with excellent aps c glass like the Sigma 10-18, 18-50 f2.8, the Sony 70-350, you are all set. Plus there are so many FF small form lenses. I got the Sigma 45mm f2.8, so so tiny. I have two cameras in one with this a7cr.
33MP was considered high resolution not long ago, and our wall space hasn't really increased. In the meantime, only Sony's marketing for high MP cameras has intensified :-) People don't understand that in most cases you don't get 61MP real resolution: you get a 61Mp file but the real details depend on a lot of things. First, even the best lenses have an optimal aperture value, often it is f5.6 in the tests. If you don't shoot there, you lose details (as the tests show; and even if you shoot at the optimal aperture, you lose details already in the mid frame and edges so you don't achieve the full 61MP). And the lower MP camera would be more tolerable about lens quality. Second, the diffraction softness is more visible on a higher resolution sensor at the same aperture. If you shoot at f11-16 typically required for landscapes on a 61Mp camera, you don't get 61MP details due to diffraction softness. There are other conditions that affect real details. If money is no object, a 61MP camera will still give you more details than a 33MP camera, but the real gain is smaller than 61-33=28. Similarly for cropping. In APSC mode you get a 26MP file, but the amount of real detail is going to be less.
That's to much even for me……
Photography is art, and if I get good image - I get good image, I don't care about tiny loss of detais or softness in corners due to difraction, when I can have crop flexibility with out worrying to loose in quality generally
To be honest the Sony A7IV “Uncompressed RAW” have so much detail it’s perfect. 61mp are worthless if you don’t shoot uncompressed RAW. To me it’s a good camera only if you shoot uncompressed RAW other than that it’s overkill for most people. The a7iv is such a beast 15+ stops dynamic range super blue skies and crazy amount of details. Hope this helps you choose.
@@lewcehjitl3282 Isn't that what "Lossless compressed" is for? "Lossless"?
@@Vantrakter no. The best image quality you can get is Uncompressed RAW. File sizes are a little big but better than 61mp and offer tremendous amount of details and photo quality.
@@mayimbe2198 that is so true, when comparing the Sony a7iv33mp sensor to the a7CR 61mp it’s not much of a difference when zooming.
Good, honest review. The joystick issue is particularly enlightening. Since getting a pair of A7IIIs in 2028, I've used AF tracking and recomposed for 99% of the photos I've taken. It's just so much faster (for me at least) than messing around with a joystick or the touch screen. After many years working with DSLRs, this comes naturally, but the great thing now is that there's no risk of losing your focus plane when you recompose. It's a great way to work!
Just a point on there being only one card. If you're a working photographer this can be scary. I'm hoping Sony will update Creators' App functionality for the A7CR, so you can record to cloud straight from the camera, like some other Sony models. This would mean full redundancy even with only one card. But in the meantime Tom, I'd suggest that rather than use high capacity cards, it's better to use multiple smaller cards (even though that means more card swapping), so you reduce the risk of losing everything if you experience a card failure. Better to lose a quarter of you images than all of them!
With respect to the file sizes, I shoot with the A7RV, with how many custom buttons there are, I was able to free up my 1,2,3 dial for Small, Medium, and uncompressed raw files. Absolute game changer. Here’s working example:
Shooting a gym for social media, shot all of these on small. Still huge files for social media output. Then, the owner asked for headshots of the staff as he wanted to print and frame them around the gym. Went to setting 2 and instantly shot medium files and they printed fantastically. Then, a special moment happened where a trainer, a special needs carer and the special needs client were setting up for a really big achievement with the clients mobility. I flipped the dial to three where I am using uncompressed RAW. I captured the moment where they were all elated and shared some tears of joy over the significance of the moment. I did this with the thought to show the gym owner and client, with a view to a large print. The carer now has this image blown up in his business location in a huge print for all to see. I was so glad I had the forethought to do this, but more importantly, knowing the value of this sensor really demonstrates the opportunity these large files, and the flexibility of the smaller files can bring.
I’d encourage anyone who doesn’t like editing the larger files to try this set up, and also to try the smaller ones. They are great to work with, and can save so much file space. ✌️
I don‘t own the cam but still appreciate your comment & advice!
Thanks so much for sharing! I have the A7 IV but I am really attracted to the A7CR. I like your idea and execution of controlling the file sizes, where you can have the full 61MP when you want it and scale the sizes down easily when you don’t. You have to be intentional though and have to remember to change the settings…My A7 IV has loads of custom buttons that I love to exploit that help me quickly get the settings I want. Even with this, for me sometimes there is so much going on in front of me when I’m shooting people or an event that I can fall into “just get the shot” mode in the frenzy of a moment and only when I get home I think, “I should have went to XXX mode.” Still love your idea and the thought of this wonderfully flexible camera.
@@Cthames123 Very true. It is another thing to worry about. But it becomes second nature and I plan it as I am planning the shoot.
All of that aside, it’s rather surprising how much I use the RAW small files. It’s almost always enough. So versatile.
If you get the A7CR, I’m sure you’ll enjoy. This sensor and processor are both excellent.
I think the A7Cii is a more sensible choice... 33 MP is a lot of dots to work with, I think 60MP will be over kill for most, it is for me. If you need that much resolution, a Fuji GFX camera might be a better option IMO.
I would buy the A7CII instead of the A7CR any day. I know this has 60mp sensor, but the A7CII's 33mp is plenty enough for photography and is a better hybrid camera with more videofeatures.
07:55 actually one way to combat only having one card slot is to use several smaller cards rather than one big one. That way if a card fails, you only lose the images on that one card.
Thank you for the video. I’ve got the A7CR and I’m using mostly with the Sigma I series f/2 lenses even though I own the full series of GM primes from 14mm to 135mm and GMII zooms from 16mm to 200mm and others at 100-400 and 200-600. Typically Cary the 35/2, 65/2, and 90/2.8. Love its compact size so it’s a great camera to pair with my A1 or A7RV for travel as both a backup and as a solo camera when I really need to go light. Am wondering if the A7C II is better for low light though so I’m trying it as well. Very happy so far with the new 7C family as an add on to my other Sony bodies.
You sound like you own everything Sony makes, good for you!
@@Jez1963UK Not everything but do feel pretty lucky. I have never bought a 300mm, 400mm, 600mm, or other large primes and I’m sure Sony will come out with new more exotic zooms that I won’t be getting.
Thanks Tom, enjoyed the video. FWIW, APS-C mode is perfectly usable on the 33MP cameras including the A7CII. You still get 14MP which is plenty for what many of us do.
Its absolutely plenty enough. My first digital camera was a 2 Megapixel Sony Cybershot.
I greatly enjoy using the A7CR with the 40 G. Other lenses I use it on for an easy carry are the 16-35 PZ and 70-200 G II. If I want a faster prime with me, I will add the ZA 55 to the mix.
😂😂😂 easy carry… have you heard about 28-60 f/4-5.6? 170 gramm
@@photobatya sh!t lens
To me, my Sony A7RIV is compact enough and when I mount the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm 2.8 ZA it is a very compact combo, I can carry it all day long, The A7RC and the A7CII is missing a joystick, the EVF on those is to small and to low resolution, the "fully" articulation screen makes the camera body too thick.
I love my AC7, but that 61MP sensor is definitely tempting since I only shoot with primes. I think it's well worth the money.
I love my A7c as well, but would be more interested in the A7c II. With my 24-70 GMII a great package.
@@Thomasmcse what would you upgrade for? i've got the a7c too and the normal a7c ii does not tempt me in the slightest. this one, the a7c r only ever so slightly
@@neophobia404 That is a tough question. The better AI Focus, 33MP, and the new dial on the front are the points I'm considering. The overall Quality of the A7c is already good.
I want a modern camera (AI-AF, colors, video recording with newer cintetone and logs etc) but with the older 33 or 42 mpxl, and in a normal A7 body.
Basically, if the A7IV got a few more AF updates via firmware it could be perfect. But I presume that is what they are gonna add with the A7v.
I love the resolution of my A7Rii. But I do miss the modern AF system
I’ve been shooting with this camera for 3 months now and have grown to love it. Takes a while to customise the menu options the way you like, find lenses that work well for you etc. The quality of the photos coming out of this thing is astounding, the best camera I’ve ever owned in 40 years of photography.
Can you please teach me about the camera settings such as aperture priority or automatic mode, focus mode, focus area, continuous shooting or touch focus when shooting street photography with Sony apsc camera and Sigma lens 30mm1.4? thank you very much
kudos to Sony for taking chances and giving prosumers more choices that's why I switched from Nikon. Yes the A7CR is an expensive camera but I finally was able to pick one up for $2200 new with the current Sony trade-in promotion it's a fantastic second camera to my A7RV great video Tom
Really useful video review of this diminutive camera that I've recently managed to hold for less than two minutes. Anyhow, I think you tell it well. There are compromises that go with the size but there is a wonderful sensor at the heart of this jewel. I think it is a great camera, particularly for enthusiasts who think that size (and weight) matters. The shutter is different from the other a7 camera bodies that I've handled. So I don't feel confident with the unfamiliar sound. I'm wondering what is the life expectancy is in terms of shutter actuations. Do you have any idea? I currently use and love the a7IV but I'm seriously thinking of adding the a7CR plus a 40/2.5 lens for just everything that is convenient Plus teaming it up with the Samyang 75/1.8 lens. An interesting combo I think. Would appreciate your thoughts on any of my comments. Thanks.
Based on my experience with the original A7C and me debating buying the A7C II since it came out, I think you did an excellent job going over this camera. The massive headroom for cropping in post, allowing you to take only one wide-ish prime is THE argument for me in favor of the A7CR. ...the price tag is THE argument against it. :D And even though video isn’t that important to me, the resolution options and resulting quality is another pro for the A7C II.
Consider using the Lossless Compressed (L) size over the Compressed version. The file sizes are _very_ similar but give you more stops of dynamic range iirc.
Very good instincts on vital points & apt comparison. Very good as usual with bullet point of crucial facts figures specs & personal experience. Being a nice bloke doesn't hurt either, cheers & keep going 💪 keep it filmic & street focused 🛣️🎥📷📸
Very good video, the comparison between the ILCE-7CR and the ILCE-7M4 surprised me.
You speak very fast but your accent is very clear at the same time; I think I haven't missed any word and I'm a non-native speaker, from which city are you from?
I like the fact that it looks like any regular point n shoot camera, so you blend in more and not look like a 'protographer' with RIR or V. Also you can use APSC glass and still have 26mp on crop.
I preordered the A7Cii, snapped back in to reality and canceled to buy an a7ci. As a casual shooter it's more than enough and I used the difference in cost to buy the 24mm & 40mm G, Tamron 75mm 1.8 and the TTArtisan 50mm 0.95
This was the right choice. The original A7C does everything you'll need and its low light performance is incredible.
Hey Tom I would say that the physical size and weight are significant on the Sony a7cr. Almost 6 ounces lighter and if you hold them much different ergonomically. God point on cropping with a 60mp camera is very true.
As you said there are alternatives but each buyer has their own criteria.
Megapixel boosting is quickly making carrying a zoom a thing of the past. 35-40mm is such a gorgeous focal length, and the Sony lenses are just beast-mode on focusing, etc. Rocking the a7c and I have zero desire to upgrade immediately. Still, excellent video as always. Only quibble: your vids border on too fast, like Gerald Undone, and I think we need to reflect on this - do we really want to be consuming content at this rate / quality. How does it affect the overall experience? It's got to be more than a high-paced data download. Good luck.
Never actually thought about it but the shape of any DSLR cameras was dictated by the prism that sat on top of the camera. Mirrorless doesn't have that prism anymore so why do they still shape cameras like that? To make it look "professional"?
That prism is just replaced by the EVF
Thankfully, most of the smaller gripes you have, don't apply to the majority of regular photographers.
Will you keep it or return/sell it? 40mm is the best for this camera?
Unfortunately it was just a loaner, so I had to give it back. I didn't want to though! And personally, I'm a big fan of the 40mm for street and candid photography 😊
I’m between the A7Riv vs the A7CR. I wish the cr had the tilt screen, I’m not a fan of having pull the screen aside to tilt it. It takes the small form factor away.
40/2.5 is fantastic lens, bought it recently and its my favorite lens so far!
If i buy aps c lenses for the a7cr wont the image crop to 26 MP photos? I can’t shoot 61mp with crop lenses right? Am just not sure how it works .. since the a7cr is full frame only the GM lenses would give me a full frame image right ?
I don’t care what anyone says. This is the perfect camera for anyone who wants to be mobile….
I got mine brand new right out of the box for $2200 from a film student who was trying to sell it because they got a grant for a no shit cinema camera to practice on.
If you can pick this up relatively new for good deal… do it!
How is that lens? Been considering it for street photography.
Genuinely really enjoyed using it. It's small, light, fast to focus, sharp. I also like the 35mm focal length, and this 40mm is not far from that. So, overall, no complains at all from me!
@@TomCalton thank you!
Great review and video! 💯
Thank you, much appreciated!
Well, I think I'd often use the M-RAW option with 26 MP for casual shooting. As a side effect I could switch to crop mode seamlessly in terms of resolution. In fact, I might attach my Sony 16-55 F2.8 G on some occasions in the first place.. 🤷♂
Concerning edit times you could pivot away from high single core performance CPUs (gaming cpu) to higher overall core count CPUs - your options are to go with newer gen CPUs with high core counts or even get a workstation cpu (threadripper/some xeons)
Ofc check the benchmarks for your software/application.
Use a 24mm or 28mm lens would be more appropriate. And use 40mm on a close up or tighter shots.
61mp is a funny joke, 12-24mp has and will be enough until our walls start getting bigger lol
you should try electronic shutter and get really close to your subject and they won't know you are shooting at all. I am doing this with my voiglander 15 and laowa 14.
For me, the tiny viewfinder and lack of a true mechanical shutter, make the a7c series a no-go.
Wait, why isn’t a true mechanical shutter?
@@sumitino It's an Electronic First Curtain Shutter. It's not a terrible thing, but if you like to shoot images with a shallow depth of field for that smooth bokeh and you are shooting at shutter speeds above, i believe, 1/1000 or 1/2000, you'll see the bokeh balls cut off. Is it the end of the world? No. It's up to you to decide how important that it is to you. This video shows what happens when you use EFCS on the a7IV instead of the full mechanical: ruclips.net/video/veXC56OCVzU/видео.html
How fast is your PC? I've got a 3080ti and it seems like I could sell my card and get a 3090 for only ~£50. That of course would double the memory - which is what I'm seeing all Adobe products fill up. I've got 32gb of DDR5, that also fills up, so it seems like more Ram and the 3090 would be ideal for a few years to come.
That AF-track + hold is nice !!! Didn't know Sony's did that...
Hello !
Having worked with 61MP photos I can tell you several things. Firstly, yes, it allows you to recrop the image to adjust its composition, but at what cost?
The files are very large to store, and working with them on Lightroom requires a fairly powerful PC. All this to finally recrop 5% of your photos. It would undoubtedly be more appropriate to shoot in 33 / 24 MP and upscale the image you want to crop using AI tools.
Have a nice day!
If you shoot wildlife or Macro photography, maybe street, wedding - you have a big chance to crop the best images and composition. If you choose Mraw you have a 26 mpx.... A7CR is a great camera. The camera has 8 time fast BionzXr than A7 IV CPU, and the detail is outstanding compare to A7 III or A7 IV Cameras because lawpass filter is missing. It`s a great thing for eyes of animals or birds.
I had the option of buying this camera, but I went with a Leica M8 instead... I checked out both and used them for a day. I felt the Sony was just so boring, it didnt interest me to use it nearly as much as my Leica M
Great camera. Combined with the sigma f2 lenses. Joystick and evf is a dealbreaker. Other wise I buy it tomorrow
Hi Tom
Whatwould you recommend A7C2 or Nikon ZF for photography only, and both will be using the Tamron 35-150 lens
Hey! I haven't tested the Nikon ZF (yet) so it wouldn't be fair for me to comment. Though, if you're planning on using that specific lens, it might be a bit unbalanced on the A7CII as it's quite a big lens on a small camera body. Just something to consider!
imagine today's technology with a 12mp sensor. it could take an image of a blackhole showing 12 steps of dynamic range in the blackness... but no we need to continue the megpixelwar.
Judging by their eyes, it appears you weren't as stealthy as you thought. 🙂
my dream camera, i don't shoot often enough to justify the price tough
Ultra wide plus 50mm or 40mm?
Would you mind asking “Tom from the future” to review the Sony A1 mkii and the Canon R1, thank you.
DANG, I love the shot at 0:18 of the bus stop and that poster in the foreground, out of focus. Nice job.
Too bad you don't use Capture One. Editing on Lightroom is brutally slow in comparison.
1:37 no way that's 2cm?
EDIT: Okay I looked it up, I don't know why the dimensions vary depending on what website you see it from, but the difference in width is about 5mm, so half a centimeter, which checks out visually a whole lot more. Not super important, but it is less of a difference than 2cm makes it sound.
Goodness we're in the day and age when 33 MP is too low res to significantly crop in :P
The A7cII is a ''compromised'' if (we talk buffer, viewfinder, Buttons, etc. version of the A7IV) Saying that that AI subject detection is out of this world and I think this is cam that we're going to talk about a lot more in 2024 than the A7CR. A7CII also seems to have less rolling shutter for video.Well let's see what you make of it.
6 months later and we’re really not talking about it that much. To me, the Sony Ai AF is the only feature worth buying in 2024 into 2025. Im actually considering selling my A74 to get into “any body” with the new Sony Ai AF, it’s that good - to me.
24MP is already plenty for me. I dont print wall size photo, and for those photo I probably wont see it in a close distance anyway.
Great Video!!
Thanks Martin 👍🏻
I am wondering how is the EVF actually?
It's absolutely fine, IMO. I know a lot of people moan about it being "low Res" but honestly, unless you're super picky about that kind of thing, it's unlikely to bother you. That said, I found myself using the flip out screen more than the EVF.
I thought the title said “cheap mode” and saw the A7CR….
Remind me of samsung and their 200mp sensor marketing which turn out to be very bad but of course the youtubers/influencers were all singing high praise when it first come out😂
I have the S24ultra and it's 200mp so called output..I also have the A7CII... there is NO comparison..the Sony A7CII will beat the 200mp samsung any day and twice on Sundays 😆
But I am wondering about upgrading to the A7CR... 🤔
I'd rather get a used a7r5. Just get one these smaller G lenses and you have a light setup.
I have to disagree with you on the size.. The A7C ii is night n day difference in size n form factor compared to my A7IV. Perfect for a introvert photo/videographer like myself. I looks like a smart phone in your hands mate loool
Until you pared it with sony 24-70mm GM ii, hence it makes no difference. This compact camera only suitable for prime lenses or small zoom lens such sony latest 24-50mm G. Overall it will makes the whole setup completely compact. A7iv with prime lens gonna makes it look compact too.
Welcome to Kraków Poland
Come to Romania, Bucharest for some street photography. I can be your part time guide.
Bucharest is on my list of places to visit, so maybe I'll see you there one day? Thanks for the offer 👍🏻
Sounds great. Let me know beforehand and I can take a day off work. Would also let you play with my 50 1.2 GM 😁😁
sooooo.... you don't need the joystick?
Do you need it? Naaaaah. Do it still miss it? ...yeeeaaaah, a little 😅
@@TomCalton understood. As someone who never had a camara with a Joystick, I find that when I try to use the joy stick it is slower than focus hold/recompose. (and more reliable). :)
how do focus what is using focus hold im using a7c2 and just tap the screen but tapping screen is painful tbh @@soholingo
@@PuReXtremeGaming I set my focus to AF-C and center area focus. I move the camera around to put the AF box on my subject, then press the AF-ON or half press the shutter to enable focus tracking on the subject. From there recompose you shot then press the shutter.
Great review, was thinking of buying this till i saw your video, but like they say in the Dragons Den.......Im OUT!
See no reasons not to use regular a7 iv body with small lens like 40mm. The lens makes much more difference than body, and 33mpix is still more than 24 and 12 and is still a lot for cropping. And maybe that why Sony haven’t implemented focus breathing compensation for this compact lenses on a7 iv. Another artificial limitation, because it can be solved just adding several files into firmware and should not be a big deal. But in this case shifty 7c cameras would have not enough reasons to be bought. The same as smaller grip on zv-e1, because it looks like totally unusable. So, Sony knows a little bigger grip is better for compact camera, but still implementing small grip on cheap blogger camera? I am using a7 iv with 28-60 f/4-5.6 and have no complains about. It is so compact I am putting it into 50 1.2 gm bag. I hate Sony marketing…
Naw you just a hater
I agree with you 100%. I have the A7 IV and the smaller lens look just as nice and cute and offer every bit the compactness on my A7 IV as they do on the A7C line. You don’t need the A7C series cameras to benefit from the size factor of the 24, 40, 50, G or the compact kit lenses The pictures and youtube videos suggest. I like the idea of the A7CR’s 61 MP sensor am seeing some compelling reasons to add it…I’m just having a hard time coming to grips with the $3,000 part,😮(ouch).
greetings from poland!!! XD
Hey! 👋🏻☺️
I own it.. wish it was a 40 f/1.8-f/2 😢
Kłdka bernatka in Cracow on1.00😮
pozdro z Krakowa
Dziękuję! 😁
how about getting the 28-60 kit lens. That lens is small and sharp.
almost certain
blah
blah
haha AhahAH
This camera is far to small for me
What camera do you own out of interest?
You didnt mention the included handgrip!
@@mattemmi its still too small
@@TomCalton i use a gh5 and a s5 both with in h battery grip
it's just the a6000 series with a full frame sensor
its portable until you attach a tamron zoom lens 😅
ye once you put on most lenses the body doesn't really matter, unless you packing with the lenses off.
I ordered a a7c2 but kind worried bout it being too small, I have small hands but a7iii atm feels nice to me and hand grip would be added weight.
G👏🏻❤️
60mp is so over kill for a compact cam
wtf is this aspect ration supposed to be
05:09 …. Are you seriously having a laugh?
Could you clarify please?
Street Photography doesn't mean taking picture outside at all! !!!! That's a trash