I'm considering upgrading my wife's camera from her Canon 600D as she's starting to take her photography hobby a bit more seriously these days. I saw this deal and it seemed like a good potential option and I thought I might share, also I wanna see the comments (see me throwing questions down there).
Get the A73 for around ~1900 instead. Put the saved $2k towards a really nice kit lens like the Tamron 28-75. The A7IV isn’t worth the $4k asking price. The A7RIV is much better value at that price.
I guess the thing is that the articulating lcd screen on the back is something my wife has really enjoyed on the 600D, I think the A73 has like, better viewfinder, multiple storage devices, and some other advantages?
The smaller form factor and the rotating screen is the main reason I'm leaning this way though.
Also looking at probably getting a prime lens, (maybe 50 or 80mm) since those are the kinds of photos she likes to take.
Personally 90% of my shots are taken with a 35mm and 85mm lens combo.
The F1.8 Sony lenses will give you amazing quality for the price and are light and compact
If you want compact with an articulating screen go for the A7C with a small prime like the 35 2.8 Zeiss. The size difference isn’t huge though use camerasize.com to compare sizes. The A73 is better built, has two card slots (not sure if the A7C has two), better viewfinder etc. Another excellent option for a small(ish) FF body is the canon rp if photo is your focus.
@bindok: Yea I need to look at the Canon cameras, (i havent yet) I think the autofocus is supposed to be a real draw on the sonys, I can see that handy for taking photos of our kids.
Thanks for the tip about camera size too
Be aware that the Canon 600D is a crop sensor camera. All these Sonys you're comparing are full frame.
So firstly, any size savings you're thinking about will be lost because of the larger lenses.
Secondly, if it matters, even with an adaptor, you won't be able to use your old lenses.
@PeppaPigDidNthngWrng: while this is mostly true, as described above by OP, if they are just using small primes like the 50mm, size will still be advantageous in the a7c or a73. Either way can't go wrong IMO.
A7III can be bought for well under 1900 atm.
$2159 @ Camerapro https://www.camerapro.com.au/6278-sony-a7iii-mirrorless-came…
$300 Sony cashback (apparently this has been taking some time for some people https://promo.sonyanz.com/redemptions/sony-australia-bonus-c…)
10% cashback from shopback (~196.27) at Sony (Price match Camerapro via Sony Online)
= $1662.73 after cashback.
Excellent price for the A73!
the A7C and A7 is a in-between model as in its designed to give you photo and video.
Consider a A7RIV? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/666681
Yea I've been thinking about it, be real nice if we do some massive prints I guess with the resolution bump.
Just the screen rotation is nice on the A7C and the price is nicer, I guess I think the A7C and A7 is a bit more like an all rounder entry level to full frame as far as I can tell. The A7R IV is definitly on my radar though,
Besides the resolution bump are there any other key advantages you could point out on the A7R?
I think you should consider what your needs actually are, for me 61MP is way overkill and it really slows down your workflow as Mitchins has mentioned. There is also the issue that unless your not using really good glass and nail everything, all those imperfections will have greater effect on the output.
A7C's main draw card is it's small and compact, but what glass do you intend on mounting on it? IMO one of the main issues is the bodies got smaller but the lens don't. So you end up with super unbalanced setups.
FWIW, While A7III prob will be fine and meet needs, Sony is well known to drop support for products like a hot potato once a new one is out.
@ballofspam: Looking to run primes on the camera, 35, 50, 80, not sure but mostly that I think.
Sony is well known to drop support for products like a hot potato once a new one is out.
Yea this is a good point, I maybe need to see what updates are out already for the cameras, i guess the C hasn't been "replaced" yet so maybe it'll live longer? also it's a bit newer so maybe that makes a difference?
@spazworm: Trying not to be a Sony basher.. but.. unless your thinking about the f2's or 1.8's ergonomics is going out the door, this isn't Sony's strong suite anyways.
Realistically, Sony support is subpar. Can you live with it today? the bugs and quirks. Even if it was a new model it may not get fixed, the fix is often found in the next model. On paper the A7III and A7C should be the same in AF but it sounds like the new software seems to be giving it a edge. But does it matter? You get used to any camera and learn to deal with it's short comings
Sounds like this is going to come down to form factor and aesthetics
I'm a professional videographer/photographer who uses the a7III on a regular basis - let me just say with 99% confidence that you don't need an a7R IV. I actually think that most photographers don't. The a73 is a fantastic camera (I'll lump a7C in there with that too as they're identical sensors and mostly same specs). If a 600D is what your wife is happy with, the a73 will absolutely be enough.
People will have different opinions.
The A7 in general is a good all rounder and fine for most people, the A7Riv has more resolution but when you don’t need it, the larger files can get annoying. I find the A7 range hits the sweet spot for me.
The A7c is a more recent system, so as compared to the A7iii comes with a newer hardware, including some of the processing elements.
In a nutshell: the A7c has a newer and better AF system, but smaller size and weight (the viewfinder is slightly smaller too).
As per https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3513684056/sony-a7c-vs-son…
$2122 @ Camerapro https://www.camerapro.com.au/10047-sony-alpha-7c-mirrorless-…
Price match with Sony for 10% cashback via Shopback (~$1,929.09 after cashback)
If you're looking at photos only I would consider the cheaper A7III (~$1662.73 via similar process + Sony cashback promo), A7C is a clear upgrade for video (flip out screen, no recording limit, better AF) but trades blows with A7III for photography IMO (bad viewfinder, worse ergonomics, one less control dial, better AF/tracking, better colour science). The A7C does feel significantly smaller to me without the EVF which is good if you value portability. Another drawback is that it only has 1 SD card vs 2 on the A7III.
Yea the size and compactness is a bit of a consideration here, not only is it likely to be more comfortable for my wifes smaller hands but yea, if it's smaller you're more likely to bring it with you, that whole, "the best camera is the one you have with you" argument.
I've owned both and the missing EVF hump might seem minor to some but it really did make a big difference in portability and felt a lot less conspicuous.
I'm pretty curious about the software difference between the A7III and the A7C since the latter is a bit newer.
Whilst i've read that they've improved the navigation of the A7C over the III, the iii is not that bad. It's pretty much like most other SLR interfaces from Nikon and Canon. I wouldn't make it your main concern with deciding. One thing that i decided iii over c was having both thumb and forefinger dials to manipulate fstop and shutter speed. If you're not going to use the camera in manual mode much, then the A7C would be fine
Go the A7C.
The A7III does have a juicey Sony Cashback so you may consider this instead?
Unless you have a specific need for the A7IV (eg better tracking for sports photography), the A7C / A7 III represents great value.
For general photography, get the Sony 24-105 or the Tamron 28-75. Tamron is better for low light but the Sony has better reach. Don't get primes unless you have a specific need eg Sony 85mm for portraits. Zooms give you flexibility and convenience.
I think my wife really really enjoys the true depth of field effect drawing the extra focus to subjects so she almost always reaches for her 50mm prime over her zoom lenses on her 600D currently, I'll look at getting a zoom at some stage most likely but I'll be grabbing a prime first I guess.
I went from a Canon APS-C to Sony Mirrorless.
I used loved my Canon 50mm f/1.8 for the bokeh (shallow depth of field). However 50mm on a crop sensor isnt always practicle as it was not wide enough.
Bokeh (shallow depth of field) is achieved in many ways, but with respect to hardware you need a lens with a fast appeture (and this can be prime or zoom).
Your wife will be able to get similar bokeh on a f/2.8- f.4.0 full frame lenses to what she was able to get with the Canon 50mm f1.8.
Having said that, it sounds like the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 would be the lens for her!
A7c $1999 here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/667345
Get the SB 3% discount GCs to save further. Or 4.5% discount GCs that some people manage to get through membership of Sun super and the likes. Max ebay allows is $1500 GC value. The rest you pay with Afterpay.
Does your wife want to move from a Canon to a Sony system? That’s a big change and something that possibly needs to be discussed with her as she may have some input? I’ve used Canon for 15 years and any time I’ve used the Sony setups, even their flagship Alpha pro bodies, I’ve really disliked using them. Many other professional photographers share that opinion too. I know plenty of people that jumped ship to the Sony systems after all the hype about them being a game changer, but have since returned to the canon system, costing themselves a lot of money along the way.
You can pickup a Canon 5DIV for a good price and that will get her a good 5 years. There is also heaps of Canon EF glass available on the second hand market as professionals are converting to the new RF glass. I use a combo of both EF and RF. You could possibly get her an EOS R body and EF to RF Adaptor, allowing her to utilise existing EF lenses and the new RF ones.
Yea she has been quite interested in the Sony system sorta seperately to what I've been researching. Also she's really keen on going mirrorless and I guess I've heard that sony are a bit ahead in that space? It is something I probably need to reflect on a bit though considering the lenses we have already etc.
Sony were ahead for a while, but since the launch of the R6, R5 and now the R3, they have taken a backseat again to Canon. The amount you would likely spend getting new glass in Sony, you could have purchased the R6 and the EF-RF adapter and continued to use her existing glass. The glass is the most important element in my opinion. if you take a good quality lens and attach it to a low end body, you'll get a better photo than if you took a flagship body and added a low end lens.
What lenses does she currently have in the Canon lineup?
Nothing fancy yet
I think one of the reasons she's leaning to Sony is she's thinking about taking more photos of our daughter as she grows up (she's 9 months old now) and might move around a bit, Sony seems to be well known for it's good autofocus and it might make a difference for her?
@spazworm: If you can put together the funds for an R6, she will be set for years to come. From experience, the autofocus system on the R6 and R5 destroy the Sony lineup. Ive tested them against the A7RIV and it doesn't even come close.
If I was buying my partner a new body and lens, I would lean towards the Canon R6 with an EF-RF adapter, a second hand EF24-70II and an RF35mm f1.8. Alternately, you can get the R6 with the RF 24-105 for under $4k atm. If you went the Sony route, by the time you've got a similar kit, you'll of spent the same amount but there is a tiny second hand market in comparison. There is so many mint condition Canon EF lenses around for a fraction of the RRP because a lot of people moved to the RF system and don't want the double ups.
@Buz1986: Yet to mention here is that Sony UI navigation is clunky and not user friendly even in the latest models. Unless you are a pro and very experienced with Sony A7, or leave it on Auto all the time, by the time you muck around changing the settings to what you want, the moment is well and truly over LOL…
Buy the A7C
I recently bought the A7C to pair it with the new Sony compact prime 24mm F2.8 G.
Body and lens together have a total weight of 800gm and you can easily carry it in your handbag.
Also get the A7c instead the A7III because the former has the updated AF tracking system which the older A7III does not have. It has one of the best eye AF tracking you can get. I am still amazed how it get tack sharp eyes shot after shot. I can see my own reflection in my subject's eyes when I zoomed in. That's how sharp it is. Whether they are moving or if I am moving, the AF will simply lock on.
I had a canon 5D2 then I moved onto a Fuji Xt2. Getting the sony is simply life changing because of the shots I am able to take.
I considered the A7IV too but the extra 2k isn't worth the difference.
I have also considered the R5/R6 too but the body is simply too bulky compared to the A7c and the canon lens too expensive.
Get the A7C , you wont' regret it.
So the tracking system is actually a lot different between the A73 and the A7C? is that both running the latest updates and everything? I know the A74 seems to have a really big improvement on the tracking but I don't know much about the difference between the 3 and the C.
Yeah the two AF systems are different with the A7C having the more updated and improved version.
There are a few comparative reviews and videos on youtube.
People mentioned there are some ergonomics issue with the A7c because of the smaller size and missing buttons but I didn't have many issues in that aspect.
The other thing people talk about it the EVF. Yes it is small in size and the resolution is lowish. But because of the tilt screen, I take most of my shots using the bigger back screen and I got used to that pretty quickly.
Oh and did I mention you can take one hand selfie with this full frame camera with ease? =)
I’ve got the 7c.
I am very happy with it. Overall a very capable and compact camera.
I use it with a 28mm f2 as my walk around compact setup.
I also have the 24-70 f4 as a great all in one setup.
I also have the 55 f1.8 lens for it too.
All of those lenses feel very balanced on that size body.
If you start going for f2.8 24-70 lenses, then you will feel a bit more imbalanced on the weight and size. Those lenses get big!
Overall i think it’s a great body if you know what you like to shoot and what lenses you like to use. For me with my above lenses I get a reasonably compact travel setup which suits my needs perfectly.
Definitely aimed for the hobbyist and not professional (one memory card slot as eg.)
Yea I guess I don't actually know what sort of a game changer the two memory cards brings to the table? people are filling them up and swapping back and forth a lot? This is something I'd like to know more about.
I see the main reason for two memory cards:
1.) I have turned up to take photos accidentally and have left the memory card on my laptop. Then showed up unable to use my camera because I'm a potato who forgot to bring a memory card.
i.) If I had two memory card slots - I would always leave one permanently in. I see this as a redudancy.
2.) Memory cards can be unreliable and get corrupt (not often but it can happen). If you're shooting a wedding and charging a client a couple thousand dollars, they expect photos and 100% reliability. Even 99% reliability is not good enough.
i.) If I had two memory card slots - I can see this as a redundancy to help ensure that closer to 100% reliability.
3.) maybe some other features available that I'm not aware of…
Overall I think for a hobbyist - not really needed.
Also Ted's do a $200-400 discount when purchasing with a G or GM lense
I got the a7c earlier this year and have been very happy with it. I was tempted to go down the micro four-thirds path but this body is hardly any larger and you get full frame. I bought it with the Sony 28-60 kit lens and have since added the Tamron 70-300 and Sony 20mm f1.8.
the only slight bummer for me with this camera is it has the older menu system, but that's hardly a deal-breaker.
I'm very curious to get some opinions about this camera as I'm looking at this and the A7 IV at the moment, obviously very different prices at this stage. Keen to get some opinions. Looking for a camera mostly for photography, not so much for video