##Unfiltered Reflections: Sony A7 or A7R II Cameras - A Traveler's Guide
High-Performance Sony A7 (A7R II) Camera Ideal for Vibrant Travel Photography
Hey there, fellow wanderlust warriors! Today, I'm here to review two pieces of gear that have become my loyal companions during my globe-trotting escapades: the Sony A7 and the A7R II cameras. If you've ever wondered about these compact powerhouses on your own journey, let's dive right in and see if they might be up your alley.
Y'know, ever since I heard Sony was stepping up the plate with a game-changing full-frame mirrorless camera, I couldn't contain my excitement. Being a digital nomad and a pro travel blogger, I'm always on the hunt for ways to streamline my pack. And, boy, did Sony deliver when they unveiled the Sony A7 line.
I'd grown a soft spot for my trusty Canon 7D, but Sony blew the competition out of the water with their fresh technology. In December 2013, I made the switch, and I haven't looked back since. Over the course of a year and nine countries, the Sony A7 treated me like a dream.
Now, I've had plenty of folks inquiring about these cameras, so let's take a gander at what I love (and in a couple instances, not so much) about these little powerhouses. Let's dig into the nitty-gritty of the Sony A7 and A7R II and see if they have a spot in your kit bag.
Sony A7 & A7R II - The Scoop
Why all the fuss over these cameras, you might ask? Well, it boils down to this: the Sony A7 was the first camera to shove a full-frame sensor into a compact mirrorless body. That means you're getting superior image quality and a smaller, lighter setup—pretty sweet, huh? Enough chit-chat!
Sony currently offers three flavors of A7 cameras: the A7 II, the A7R II, and the A7S II. There's the A7 II for starters, the A7R II with more pixels, and the A7S II catering to video enthusiasts, with fewer megapixels but higher ISO sensitivity.
Sony A7R II - Specs and Stats
- Camera Format: Full Frame
- Pixels: 42MP
- Max Resolution: 7952 x 5304
- Lens Format: Sony E & FE
- Memory Card: SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Video Recording: 4K or 1080 in 60/30/24p
- Viewfinder: Electronic (100% coverage)
- ISO Sensitivity: 100 - 102,400
- Shutter: Silent Electronic (30 - 1/8000 seconds)
- Burst Rate: 5 FPS
- Focus Points: Hybrid Focus with 399 points
- Wireless: Wifi/NFC
- Weight: 22 oz / 625 g
Small, Light, and Ready for Action
To an itinerant photographer, one of the top benefits of these mirrorless beasts is how much smaller and lighter they are compared to bulky DSLRs. Even when packing native Sony FE lenses, it feels like you're carrying around a camera that's barely there.
The Sony A7 weighs in at just 22 ounces—that's lighter than the Canon 5D Mark III, for crying out loud! The old saying has never rung more true: the best camera is the one you've got with you. With the Sony A7R II in my grip, I find myself snapping away during everyday adventures far more often than with other gear.
Image Quality - Epic and Beyond
Sony's sensor tech is top-notch, and the images produced by the Sony A7 and A7R cameras are astoundingly good for their diminutive size. In fact, DxOMark rates the Sony A7R II image quality higher than a Canon 5D Mark III. Not too shabby, eh?
The shorter, squatter sensor design on the A7R (A7) allows for more light to be captured, producing images with less noise and more texturey details. Think of it as their secret sauce delivering that incredible image quality.
Weather Resistance
I do a fair share of my shooting in various weather conditions—be it snow in Iceland, thunderstorms in Turkey, or the desert heat in Israel. No worries, the A7R II passed with flying colors in all those situations. Alright, I did lose my little flash hot-shoe cover and had an annoying waterfall mist error, but other than that, no sweat.
There's a tad bit of debate about the weather resistance, but in my experience, the Sony A7R II is pretty hardy. Just don't abuse it by taking it out in pouring rain or dropping it in a lake, and you should be good. The cold, though, might be an issue for the batteries; they drain fast in extreme temperatures.
Zoom and Prime Lenses Galore
You're not cursed to use the same Sony lenses if you've already invested in glass from other manufacturers like Nikon or Canon. Metabones adapters let you use lenses from other brands on your A7. That said, to make the most of this feather-light setup, I'd recommend going with Sony FE lenses specifically designed for the A7 line.
I keep things minimal with just two lenses in my bag: the Zeiss FE 16-35mm F4 for wide shots, and the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 for the telephoto stuff. Here are some lens options you might want to consider:
- Zoom Lenses:
- Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4
- Zeiss FE 16-35mm F4
- Sony FE 70-200mm F4
- Sony FE 24-240 F3.5-6.3 OSS
- Prime Lenses:
- Sony FE 28 F2.0
- Sony FE 35 F1.4 ZA
- Zeiss FE 55mm F1.8
- Zeiss FE 35mm F2.8
- Sony FE 90 F2.8 Macro G OSS
If you're looking for professional-grade glass, the Sony FE 16-35 F2.8, FE 24-70 F2.8, and FE 70-200 F2.8 might be just the ticket.
Ease of Use and Menus
The Sony A7R II's menu system is user-friendly, with most buttons customizable to your heart's content. Just watch out for that weirdly-placed video recording button on the right grip—you might start recording in the heat of the moment and then scratch your head about what's happening!
I love the custom modes on the camera dial for easy access to my most commonly-used settings, and the quick, intuitive controls make things simple and straightforward.
Video Capabilities
The Sony A7R II is more than capable of delivering high-quality 1080 video with a smidge of slow motion. The camera includes external 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks, which is pretty handy for the video-minded among us.
The A7R II also features intense autofocus and internal 5-axis sensor stabilization, making for smooth, steady video clips.
Battery Life
One downside to the Sony A7R II's compactness is its battery life. With such a snug battery compartment, it's tough to pack a larger battery, resulting in a shorter lifespan. I've gone through two batteries on a lengthy shooting day, so make sure to bring extras or invest in a Power Bank.
In-Camera Apps
I've found the Smart Remote Control app to be a Godsend when it comes to shooting selfies or group shots, and the Time Lapse App, while not the most user-friendly, still gets the job done when I need it.
But hey, these days, there are wireless intervalometers available on the market that might suit your needs even better.
Accessorize With the Best
These are the accessories I can't do without:
- Wasabi Batteries & Wall Charger
- Peak Design Camera Strap
- Sony 43M Flash & LED Video Light
- Vello Wireless Shutterboss II
Wrap It Up
The Sony A7R II definitely has its Prowess, if I may say so myself. It boasts stunning image quality, streamlined sizes, and is fairly weather-resistant. However, it does have a short battery life and a few other quirks. Ultimately, my verdict? The Sony A7R II is an excellent choice for travel photography and offers some serious bang for your buck.
- The compact and lightweight Sony A7R II, being a mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor, makes it an ideal gadget for tech-savvy travelers who value both superior image quality and the convenience of a smaller, lighter setup.
- Equipped with features like 4K video recording, wireless connectivity, and autofocus capabilities, the Sony A7R II is not just a camera but also a versatile piece of technology that caters to the needs of modern photographers embarking on their journeys across the globe.
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