Please Help Me Choose a New Camera

wittyusername on 25/12/2019 - 11:47

I'm getting ready to jump ship from Olympus' Micro 4/3 system and move to a mirrorless full frame system, especially after a recent safari where the Elephants came out at dusk and my EM1 couldn't handle the noise. Given the price and range of mirrorless full frames, I am thinking I'll bypass the APS-C sensors.

Typically I try and shoot a lot of different things. I do a fair amount of adventure photography (skiing, snow camping trips, rock climbing etc), wildlife photography, landscape and travel photography.

For these, the main things I'd like are:

  • A decent burst mode for action shots.
  • Decent resolution for printing between A2 and A3 sizes, allowing for crops and still printing.
  • 2 SD slots would be amazing for the ease of backing up photos when I'm in areas that don't have much access to computers.
  • Focus bracketing is something I've really enjoyed for macro photography, so that'd be nice too.
  • A good autofocus is essential, as I often need to whip out the camera, grab a quick snap or two and make sure I don't fall.
  • Since I'm hiking and climbing with it a lot, it'd be nice to have a small form and weight.

Current Lens systems on the Olympus - (would be great to find something similar for full frame - although I can't seem to):

  • 7 - 14 mm f/2.8 (14-28 FF equivalent)
  • 12 - 100 mm f/4 (24-200 FF equivalent)
  • 100 - 400 f/4.0-f/6.3 (200-800 FF equivalent

Basically asking for any input from your experiences with the following cameras and their lens systems, and any lenses that might align with my current system. Also anything I may have totally forgotten about and is important to you when considering a new camera. Here is the DP Review side by side comparison of the bodies.

Sony:
A7r III
Pro: High resolution (42MP), decent amount of lenses, dual SD slot, 10 FPS burst
Cons: Expensive, lenses are expensive, weather sealing below average, poor ergonomics, sony don't seem to upgrade firmware
Cheapest Price seen: $2799

A7 III
Pro: ok resolution (24MP) good autofocus, longer battery life, dual SD, 10 FPS burst
Cons: less resolution, expensive lenses, weather sealing below average, sony don't seem to upgrade firmware
Cheapest Price seen: $1988

Canon
EOS R
Pros: Good resolution (30MP), good autofocus and eye autofocus, good ergonomics, cheaper and plentiful lenses (w/adapater), weather sealing seems ok
Cons: single SD, bigger and heavier than the sonys, need additional adaptor for legacy lenses, Only 8 FPS, no 3rd party lenses without adapter(?)
Cheapest Price Seen: $1993

EOS RP
Pros: ok resolution (26MP), good autofocus and eye autofocus, good ergonomics, cheaper and plentiful lenses (w/adapater), weather sealing seems ok
Cons: single SD, bigger and heavier than the sonys, need additional adaptor for legacy lenses, only 5 FPS no 3rd party lenses without adapter(?)
Cheapest Price Seen: $998

Nikon
Z6
Pros: ok resolution (24MP), 12 FPS shooting, rugged weatherproofing / body, lens selection w/adapter, ergonomic, good battery
Cons: 1 sd port, no 3rd party lenses without adapter(?), average battery grip
Cheapest Price seen: $2149

Z7
Pros: excellent resolution (45MP), 9 FPS shooting, rugged weatherproofing / body, lens selection w/adapter
Cons: 1 sd port, no 3rd party lenses without adapter(?), average battery grip
Cheapest Price seen: $2149

Thanks for taking the time to read this essay. Merry Christmas!

Electrical & Electronics Camera

Comments

  • IVI on 25/12/2019 - 12:33
    +2

    What?

    No Panasonic candidates?!?

    • wittyusername on 25/12/2019 - 12:48

      Oof, That S1R is looking very nice…

  • O15 on 25/12/2019 - 13:26
    +4

    I have an a7R III, which is the first (and currently only) interchangeable lens camera I have owned, so keep that in mind with anything I say.
    I also own about 10 lenses ranging from a Laowa 5x macro to Sony's 200-600 G with a few different zooms and primes in between.

    As I said, I've only owned my Sony but I try to keep up with what's happening in the broader photography realm and it does seem that Sony provides the best mirrorless experience at the moment (and mirrorless is definitely the way forward over DSLR).

    That said it does seem like Nikon and Canon have some good things going for them.

    If you want to do large prints, with cropping, I would definitely recommend the a7R III over the a7 III.
    I shoot birds so I often have to crop quite a bit and the extra resolution really helps me with this.

    I have a photo printer which does up to A2 and this camera definitely provides enough detail for A2 prints, even with some cropping. I have also gotten larger prints from print labs.

    How much you can crop will also greatly depend on the lens you use and how sharp it is. For example, detail at 100% zoom looks very different between my 200-600 G and my Sigma 105 1.4 (the latter being one of the sharpest lenses available for E mount).

    Sony's lenses can be quite expensive but with Tamron and Sigma making some really solid native E mount lenses, you don't have to look to "cheap" third party options, with questionable sample variance, to save money without compromising image quality.
    With that said, Sony's lenses are usually exceptional, they just come with an equally as exceptional price premium.

    I'm not aware of direct replacements for those lenses but off the top of my head, you'd be looking at;
    Wide 2.8 zoom:
    Sigma 14-24mm 2.8 $1,800
    Tamron 17-28mm 2.8 $1,300
    Sony (GM) 16-35mm 2.8 $2,800

    The Sigma would be my pick from these. I'm looking at purchasing something in this range.

    Medium f4 zoom:
    That's a bit tougher. The only thing I can think of is the 24-105 f4 Sony G for around $1,600.
    I have this lens and it performs very well.

    We've got a few 2.8 zoom options, now.
    Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 $1,600
    Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 $1,100
    Sony (GM) 24-70mm $2,300

    I have the Tamron, which I have been happy with. However, if the Sigma was out at the time (was released a couple of weeks ago) I would have gotten it instead, for the extra 4mm at the wide end.

    That focal length equivalent, for the super tele is outside what is available for (I think) any full frame.
    Right now, the closest native glass would be the Sony G 200-600 5.6-6.3 for $2,800. Then to get you past 800mm you could either user crop mode 16mp(?) on the a7R III (of course you could also just crop in post) or you could use the 1.4x TC to get you to 840mm at f9.
    This combo works well for still subjects but I would not use 200-600 G + 1.4x TC for BIF.
    The 1.4x TC can borderline do BIF when coupled with this 100-400 GM (560mm at f8).

    • wittyusername on 25/12/2019 - 17:46

      Thanks for the detailed reply!

      The a7R iii is currently at the top of my list, mainly for that buffer when cropping and printing! Awesome that you have your own printer - do you find it worthwhile?

      Cheers - having spoken with the gf, she is making me save instead of dig into my house deposit, so I guess I'll have a lot of time to think, I just saw the A7r III for a cheap price and got a bit excited with post!

      • O15 on 25/12/2019 - 17:58
        +1

        I love having my own printing. I can run of prints without worrying about the print lab stuffing up the colours (I've had some shocking results for various labs).
        What almost out me off was some reviewers going on about needing to print every over day to avoid wasting lots of ink.
        I haven't really had a problem in this regard.

        • wittyusername on 25/12/2019 - 18:40

          If you don't mind me asking, which printer do you have? Do you have an estimated cost of inks?

          • O15 on 25/12/2019 - 19:56
            +2

            @wittyusername: Sorry, I did intent to put that in my post. Blame the Christmas rush!

            I have the Canon Pro-1000.
            I think I worked out that an A2 print, on Canons Pro Luster (one of their best papers) is around $8 (that's paper and ink). The printer gives you a breakdown of ink usage (per colour) for each print).

            Not cheap to run but if you're serious about it, it's worth it and much cheaper than somewhere like Officeworks.

            It takes twelve (yep, not a typo) different inks and a replacement set cost me around $750.
            I've done a few dozen prints, mostly A2 and A3 and have so far only needed to replace three cartridges.
            It's worth noting that the starts cartridges are smaller than the replacement ones you buy and some of that ink is 'lost' to the initial filling of the lines. So with those two things in mind, you'll get many more prints from your replacement cartridges than you will from the starter cartridges.

  • Dan83 on 25/12/2019 - 13:30
    +1

    Been down the upgrade rabbit hole many times. For the type of active photos you are talking about I think you have a great system and would suggest staying with it. Of course full frame is nice, but the weight will be massive compared to what you currently have, reduced somewhat if you accept taking a big hit in focal range.

    • wittyusername on 25/12/2019 - 17:48

      Cheers, it's a tempting hole to jump headfirst into.

      My main thing is dusk and dawn photos where the ISO needs to be increased and noise is very noticeable over 500 or so.
      I already think my kit is a bit weighty, so I'm not sure how I'll be fooling check in clerks at the airport when it's another couple of kg heavier.

      • Dan83 on 25/12/2019 - 19:33
        +1

        Sorry but you'll never get anything with longer reach that is remotely light with full frame. I have a 150-600 Tamron, around 2kg and about the lightest 600mm going I believe. And the aperture is no good anyway. Your dusk example I assume is about your telephoto? Try the 300 f4 maybe? Still a little heavy but it's aperture equivalent is not much worse than mine. Then you can keep the other lenses lighter, anywhere that a large aperture is not important. I have MFT too, and my setup is purposefully super light. Admittedly I haven't been using it in ages, but I would if my main photography was still travel. Now I'm mainly landscapes, Astro, and occasionally weddings so my full frame is awesome.

  • johnno07 on 25/12/2019 - 18:59
    +1

    I have owned three Sony mirrorless cameras - the NEX-5, NEX-7, and (currently) the A7. I found the A7 suited all of my needs as the more "general purpose" of three in the prosumer lineup. It's also a hardy thing - still going strong after 6 years of ownership (though I did recently get some water into the LCD). For your purposes the A7R III does sound like the way to go, even though the A7III seems to have the significantly better AF (taken from the A9). Obviously the A7III also wins on price.

    I can't comment on anything non-Sony, aside from saying nothing on the market has made want to switch manufacturers. I really do wish Sony would update their UI though, it basically hasn't changed since it was released in 2011.

    I assume you've read this:
    https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/sony-vs-sony/a7iii-vs-a7rii…

  • OzHunterNSW on 26/12/2019 - 09:30

    To cut to the chase, the innovation lies in the image sensor. You should be looking for a Quantra Image Sensor (QIS)..
    If not, Sony are leaders in image sensors and their latest achievements lie in the ability to capture images in extreme darkness.
    Now ring a reputable Camera House

  • Barrj46 on 26/12/2019 - 15:18

    Interested in where you saw the Z7 Nikon for $2149?

    • wittyusername on 26/12/2019 - 19:46

      Sorry mate, typo. Copied and pasted from Z6 - cheapest I have in my notes is $3458.

  • TheSmegger on 26/12/2019 - 21:45
    -4

    People still spend stupid money on cameras? Just whip out your phone, take the cleavage shot/dick pick/elephant trunk and send it to your latest stalk. /s

  • sharka on 26/12/2019 - 21:48
    -2

    iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • graham johnson on 28/12/2019 - 08:50
    +1

    Well, I have a Nikon Z7 after upgrading from my Nikon D800, and seriously looked at buying a Sony A7R3 BUT if you have ever looked into getting ANY Sony product repaired either in warrantee or out. YOU WOULD RUN AWAY. They are bloody hopeless.

    Plus they are horrible to hold in your hand.

    IMO at the moment seeing the 5 year warranty and price of the Canon EOS RP at the moment (around $1100) body only. You would buy that.

    https://www.digidirect.com.au/canon-eos-rp-body?gclid=CjwKCA…

    Would I buy it ? No, I like my Nikon's and would buy a Nikon Z6 in your position. There will be a heap of lenses coming..The system is only 12 months old

    • wittyusername on 28/12/2019 - 10:26

      Thanks for the response. Interesting to hear about the difficulties with Sony warranty. My first Olympus had an issue with it in less that 6 months, and I sent it back and forth to the Australian Warranty place 3 times before demanding an exchange at the retail store I bought it at. It really soured me on Olympus, but in the last 5 years it's been a pretty fantastic system - just pray you don't need to deal with their repair centre!

      I've got little hands, so the grip isn't a huge deal - also likely to use a battery grip on extended trips.

      Price isn't a deciding factor for me, although I am cheap and it has a huge impact. I do like the look of the EOS R and RP, but I wish they had dual SD slots (for ease of backing up when I'm miles from nowhere), and it'd be nice if the EOS R had a bit higher resolution. Also IBIS has been very helpful for me previously, I haven't shot without it, but I'm sure it'd be a shame to say goodbye to it.

      I think I do need to look a little bit more into the Nikon mirrorless systems. I'd most likely get an adaptor and use traditional F mount lenses due if that were the case.

      • graham johnson on 28/12/2019 - 22:42

        I would have liked 2 card slots, but it uses XQD or CFexpress cards. They are of a way higher quality than SD. i have heard of NO reports of these cards being corrupted or failing.

        BTW, IBIS is just amazing on the Z7. the image just steadies up in the view finder. Incredible

        I only have 2 F mount lenses left. A 200-400 F4 and the 70-200 F2.8. They will be gone when i can afford the Z mount Equivalents

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