If you, like me, are among those who were waiting for nothing but the release of a Full Frame as large as a compact camera, you will find - I guess - this review interesting.
That's why the Sony A7C represents in my opinion a watershed in the evolution of the full frame cameras.
That's why from my point of view - and for my needs - it is the camera to take for all photography enthusiasts who want a do-it-yourself camera, to take anywhere, to use with any lens, without giving up the advantages of full frame (which I recap later).
That's why the Sony A7C represents in my opinion a watershed in the evolution of the full frame cameras.
That's why from my point of view - and for my needs - it is the camera to take for all photography enthusiasts who want a do-it-yourself camera, to take anywhere, to use with any lens, without giving up the advantages of full frame (which I recap later).
COMPACTNESS
In photography, size matters but on the contrary, the more compact a body is, the more we will use it because we will carry it more often with us, because it will go more unnoticed, because it will reduce the weight of the diaphragm between us and the portrait subject. The A7C is slightly larger than a compact camera, below a visual comparison with the Leica Dlux7. But it's Full Frame!
In photography, size matters but on the contrary, the more compact a body is, the more we will use it because we will carry it more often with us, because it will go more unnoticed, because it will reduce the weight of the diaphragm between us and the portrait subject. The A7C is slightly larger than a compact camera, below a visual comparison with the Leica Dlux7. But it's Full Frame!
VERSATILITY
The A7C brings with it the advantages of all Sony mirrorless cameras: I can mount any lens! Now I have 4 adapters: in addition to the native E Mount lenses I mount old Olympus Zuiko ones, M39 screw mount lenses, M42 lenses, Leica M Mount lenses. Wonderful…
The A7C brings with it the advantages of all Sony mirrorless cameras: I can mount any lens! Now I have 4 adapters: in addition to the native E Mount lenses I mount old Olympus Zuiko ones, M39 screw mount lenses, M42 lenses, Leica M Mount lenses. Wonderful…
PERFORMANCE
If you buy a Mirrorless today why settle for Auto Focus? Consider that I use many manual focus lenses with great pleasure and satisfaction. But if I mount an AF lens I don't wont to miss a shot (otherwise why should I use it?). The AF of the A7C is formidable from this point of view, the eye tracking almost makes you scream a miracle. In short: my daughter can run as much as she wants, the shots are always in focus.
Another note on this: battery life. I've always had battery anxiety, I've always bought 2 or 3 spare batteries that I ever keep charged in my bag (and that I never use since I waste shots almost like I was using a film camera). Well, forget this problem: the battery lasts a lot and by a lot I mean days! A great comfort.
If you buy a Mirrorless today why settle for Auto Focus? Consider that I use many manual focus lenses with great pleasure and satisfaction. But if I mount an AF lens I don't wont to miss a shot (otherwise why should I use it?). The AF of the A7C is formidable from this point of view, the eye tracking almost makes you scream a miracle. In short: my daughter can run as much as she wants, the shots are always in focus.
Another note on this: battery life. I've always had battery anxiety, I've always bought 2 or 3 spare batteries that I ever keep charged in my bag (and that I never use since I waste shots almost like I was using a film camera). Well, forget this problem: the battery lasts a lot and by a lot I mean days! A great comfort.
COMPROMISES
There are some, inevitable when trying to overcome the trade off between size and performance.There isn't an effective viewfinder: small and with limited resolution, it doesn't make you want to use it. Is it a problem? Yes, in certain light conditions (strong direct sun on the LCD) it can become so. But how much does it impact in terms of practical use? It depends on how and when you shoot. For everything else (for me 95% of situations) the flippable monitor is a disarming comfort.
The buttons are not many. For me, being an upright praise of simplicity, it's not a big limitation. All the more so because by setting the automatisms of the machine correctly, the functions that are really necessary are few. But there may be circumstances where that extra key makes a difference. The answer - if the advantages of this machine are more important to you - is adaptation: you change the way you use it according to what it offers. Honestly, I haven't had any lost shots so far for this reason, if anything I've lost them through my fault.
Two words about electronic shutter: very useful because it totally silences the shot but not reliable in all situations. Personally, I found that in certain situations of lateral artificial and concentrated light, the inevitable and marked banding effect. It must be said that it is a problem that I find homogeneously impacting the chambers of the A7 series (a problem not present in the A9 series).
There are some, inevitable when trying to overcome the trade off between size and performance.There isn't an effective viewfinder: small and with limited resolution, it doesn't make you want to use it. Is it a problem? Yes, in certain light conditions (strong direct sun on the LCD) it can become so. But how much does it impact in terms of practical use? It depends on how and when you shoot. For everything else (for me 95% of situations) the flippable monitor is a disarming comfort.
The buttons are not many. For me, being an upright praise of simplicity, it's not a big limitation. All the more so because by setting the automatisms of the machine correctly, the functions that are really necessary are few. But there may be circumstances where that extra key makes a difference. The answer - if the advantages of this machine are more important to you - is adaptation: you change the way you use it according to what it offers. Honestly, I haven't had any lost shots so far for this reason, if anything I've lost them through my fault.
Two words about electronic shutter: very useful because it totally silences the shot but not reliable in all situations. Personally, I found that in certain situations of lateral artificial and concentrated light, the inevitable and marked banding effect. It must be said that it is a problem that I find homogeneously impacting the chambers of the A7 series (a problem not present in the A9 series).
ABOUT FULL FRAME
From my point of view, full frame is not better or preferable for reasons related to the general image quality. Simply coming from 35mm allows me to exploit the "intrinsic" characteristics of the lenses I already own and I am less confused about the characteristics of the focal lengths, even native ones. And I'm not just talking about the focal length itself but about features such as depth of field and bokeh.
From my point of view, full frame is not better or preferable for reasons related to the general image quality. Simply coming from 35mm allows me to exploit the "intrinsic" characteristics of the lenses I already own and I am less confused about the characteristics of the focal lengths, even native ones. And I'm not just talking about the focal length itself but about features such as depth of field and bokeh.
IN A NUTSHELL
My dream was to have a Full Frame camera that I could also keep in my pocket if necessary. The dream came true with the Sony A7C. For this reason, in my opinion it represents a definitive turning point.
How much is this benefit worth to me? It is worth some compromises such as the lack of a few more buttons and a performing viewfinder. The rest is all there: versatility, high image quality and infallible AF. The rest is a side dish.
Not a perfect machine, therefore, but which defines a new standard. A machine that meets my needs better than others.
My dream was to have a Full Frame camera that I could also keep in my pocket if necessary. The dream came true with the Sony A7C. For this reason, in my opinion it represents a definitive turning point.
How much is this benefit worth to me? It is worth some compromises such as the lack of a few more buttons and a performing viewfinder. The rest is all there: versatility, high image quality and infallible AF. The rest is a side dish.
Not a perfect machine, therefore, but which defines a new standard. A machine that meets my needs better than others.
