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Sony A7 vs Sony Nex-6 – Depth of Field Compared @ 50mm

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In this post I’m going to compare the Sony A7 vs Sony Nex-6 while using the Metabones III lens adapter and a Canon EF L Lens. More specifically the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L Lens, so I can use the same equivalent focal length on each camera. In this test I went for 50mm on the Sony A7 which works out to ~32mm on the Nex-6 when you do the crop factor math. So, both cameras @ 50mm with the same exact lens will show you exactly what the larger sensor gets you as it relates to depth of field specifically.

We already saw the Sony A7 VS Sony Nex-6 High ISO comparison (Click Here), and a different lens will not change the noise levels. Detail might be slightly better do to the better optics, but the noise introduced will still be the same. This is more of a depth of field comparison than anything else.
Now let’s get on to some testing shall we?

Sony A7 VS Nex-6 @ 50mm

Using the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L Lens and the Metabones III lens Adapter for these Lab test shots. Sony A7 – Full Lab Scene @ F/4

Sony A7 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4
Sony A7 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4

Sony Nex-6 – Full Lab Scene@ F/4

Sony Nex-6 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4
Sony Nex-6 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4

100% Crops

A closer look at the Depth of Field difference between the Sony A7 full frame sensor and Sony Nex-6 1.5x crop factor sensor.

Sony A7  Sony Nex-6
@ f/4
Sony A7 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4
Sony Nex-6 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/4
 @ f/8
Sony A7 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/8
@f/16 
Sony A7 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/16
Sony Nex-6 w/ Metabones III, EF 24-105 f/4 l lens @ F/16

Closing Remarks

Clearly the full frame sensor advantage is huge when it relates to depth of field. This is why I personally love the full frame format so much more than the crop factor format. I really like isolating my subjects from the background whether it be a person, flower, or even a car. When it comes to shooting landscape images usually you want everything sharp from the front to back. This can be a little harder to do with a full frame sensor depending on where you focus and what focal length lens you are using.

Often f/11 or f/16 will have to be used where f/8 might have worked before. This can also be an issue when photographing groups of people or a family. You need to make sure everybody is sharp front to back, and you might need to adjust your settings if your used to shooting f/4 or f/5.6 with a crop factor camera. I know when I switched way back in the day I had to make some adjustments. Now shooting mostly with the Nex-6 I tend to crave that super narrow depth of field I became so accustomed to. I must say, it’s nice to be shooting full frame again on the regular 😉

I’ll catch up with you all later, and I will be working on the Sony A7 review for the next few days or so. Please feel free to ask questions or comment below as always!
Thanks again for checking in and you support with the affiliate links,
Jay

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7 Comments

  1. Hi Jay,
    many thanks for your writing and thoughts.
    What do you think to make some comparison between the Alpha 7 in crop mode and the NEX-6?
    Best wishes
    Reiner

    Reply

    1. H Reiner and thanks for the comments and request!
      That is a good idea, and I will try and do that today if I get the time. I’m currently writing the full review for the A7, but I’ll try and get that done asap.
      Jay

      Reply

  2. Hi Jay,
    I got the A7 recently but have not had too much time to spend with it so far .One thing I noticed and I wonder if you could comment .Even if I choose single ‘Single Shooting’ mode if I keep my finger on the shutter a little too long the camera will take another frame or two .Should that happen ? Thanks,Tom

    Reply

    1. Hi Tom,
      No that should not happen. You are probably just lifting your finger enough for the camera to re-focus and fire again know? Like a half shutter press?
      Thanks for the comments and question 😉
      Jay

      Reply

  3. Only focal point, aperture and lens width determines dof. Youve focused closer to your camera with the a7,hence the shallower dof. Focus on the same distance and you will see the same dof regardless of sensor size 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Jonas and Thanks for the comments 😉
      I think I know what your saying, but the fact still remains the sensor is physically larger in relation to the aperture iris of the same lens.
      I did focus on the same distance in relation to the camera body and estimated equivalent 50mm focal length. Can you advise how to test it the way your suggesting?
      Thanks again and excellent photography on your website! A pleasure to check out 😉
      Jay

      Reply

  4. Would be interesting to do the exact same test, except using a metabones SPEEDBOOSTER adapter on the nex-6 to see if it can compete with the full frame A7

    Reply

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