The Sony Full Frame Nex is finally here and called the A7 and A7r officially. Basically what we have here is two full frame e-Mount cameras based off the RX1 chassis and the best from the previous Nex camera designs. The viewfinder is now on the top in the middle and the camera body has weather sealing! The rear lcd is ultra high res and articulates just like the Nex-6. Customization looks plentiful with a Fn button and two other customizable buttons. Audio in and out ports, a hdmi and usb port with a metal weather sealed door.
Small NP-FW50 battery unfortunately, but an optional vertical grip is also available and looks like a killer addition for studio or wedding work. This new full frame camera system really does looks like a viable upgrade investment to me at the moment! Sony also announced the Cyber-shot RX10, and I will get to that after the full frame gear 😉
Sony A7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
The new Sony A7 looks like a blend of the RX1, Nex-7 and A900 to me, yet refined and optimized.
$1,698.00 (Body Only)
$1,998.00 w/ FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Sony A7r – Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
The full frame A7r is the better model of the two and looks pretty much identical on the outside minus the badge. The inside of the camera is much different though having a much beefier chassis design and of course the 36mp next generation full frame sensor. The new sensor has special micro lenses on each pixel and they offset them in corners to make up for the short 18mm e-mount flange distance, and angle of light hitting the sensor. This is a really good idea and alternative to a curved sensor design which I though they might use. I’m not sure how this will effect using old school lenses. $2,298.00 (body Only) [divider] Sony A7r Key differences:
36.3MP Full Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor
No Optical Low-Pass Filter
Gapless On-Chip Lens Design
Sony A7 VS Olympus OM-D E-M1
I loved the way the Olympus OM-D E-M1 looked when it was first announced not that long ago, and the specs are literally to die for! The smaller micro-four thirds sensor was the only downside for me personal and I wished Sony would come out with the same thing, but APS-C or full frame. Well the A7 and A7r are pretty much exactly that. See below for a more clear cut comparison view of these two awesome and very similar built cameras. Comparison images tool used courtesy of camerasize.com
Click images for a higher res view!
Sony A7 VS Olympus OM-D E-M1
Sony A7 VS Olympus OM-D E-M1
Sony A7 VS Olympus OM-D E-M1
Sony A7 VS Olympus OM-D E-M1
Sony A7 VS Nex-6
Sony Nex-6 vs Sony A7r
New Sony Full Frame E-Mount Lenses
Here are the new FE-Mount lenses (Full frame E-Mount)
FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens – SEL2870
Bundled with the a7 in this kit is the new FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS E-mount lens. This wide-to-portrait zoom incorporates three aspherical elements and one extra-low dispersion element into its design to minimize chromatic aberrations and enhance overall image clarity. An optical SteadyShot image stabilization system has also been added to minimize the appearance of camera shake to suit working in dim lighting and with low shutter speeds. Its minimum focus distance is 11.8″. Sony A7 w/ 28-70mm lens $1998 @ BHPhoto (Click Here) | Amazon (Click Here) [divider]
FE Vario-Tessar T* 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens – SEL2470F4Z
The Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens is a wide-angle to portrait-length zoom lens that features a constant f/4 maximum aperture to support consistent performance in regard to exposure settings and focus placement throughout the zoom range. Five aspherical elements and one extra-low dispersion element help to reduce aberrations and distortions while contributing to notable image sharpness and clarity. A Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to lens elements to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity. This lens also integrates Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to lessen the appearance of camera shake when working in low-light conditions or with longer focal lengths. Additionally, a dust- and moisture-resistant construction ensures this lens’ use in tough environmental conditions.
The mid-range zoom 24-70mm lens covers wide-angle to portrait-length perspectives and features a constant f/4 maximum aperture for consistent performance throughout the zoom range.
Five aspherical elements and one extra-low dispersion element help minimize aberrations and distortions throughout the zoom range while contributing to high overall clarity.
Tessar concept enables the lens design to be compact while maintaining high image quality and sharpness.
Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating lessens lens flare and ghosting for contrast-rich imagery with sustained color neutrality.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization minimizes the appearance of camera shake to better suit working with longer shutter speeds and telephoto focal lengths.
Dust- and moisture-resistant design enables ensured performance when working in inclement environmental conditions.
Circular diaphragm enables a smooth out-of-focus quality that is well-suited to shallow depth of field imagery.
FE 70-200mm F4 OSS Telephoto Zoom Lens – SEL70200G
The new premium 70-200mm G Lens covers a generous zoom range of 70-200mm and is an ideal choice for travel photography and long-range shooting. The innovative optical design of the new zoom reflects its G Lens pedigree. Two ED glass elements are combined with three aspherical elements for high resolution and contrast throughout the entire zoom range, minimizing distortion and color aberration. Like the new Carl Zeiss prime lenses, the 70-200mm Gmodel has a circular aperture that enables smooth, professional quality background defocus, and maintains a constant F4 maximum aperture for plenty of brightness at all zoom settings. It also features Optical SteadyShot to cut the effects of camera shake while shooting. *Pricing and availability for the new G Lens 70-200mm F4 OSS Telephoto zoom is still TBD.
FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Lens – SEL35F28Z
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens is a prime, wide-angle lens that features a fast, bright f/2.8 maximum aperture to support enhanced low-light performance and greater control over focus for shallow depth of field and selective focus imagery. Three double-sided aspherical elements, totaling six aspherical surfaces, work to minimize spherical aberrations and contribute to notable image sharpness. A Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to lens elements to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity. An internal focusing mechanism maintains the overall lens size during focusing and aids in faster, more responsive performance. Additionally, a dust- and moisture-resistant construction ensures this lens’ use in tough environmental conditions.
This prime wide-angle lens features a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture to benefit working in low-light conditions and for greater control over the plane of focus.
Three double-sided aspherical elements, for a total of six aspherical surfaces, help to reduce spherical aberrations while also contributing to high image sharpness and clarity.
Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating lessens lens flare and ghosting for contrast-rich imagery with sustained color neutrality.
An internal focusing mechanism maintains the overall lens length during focusing for greater consistency and faster performance.
Dust- and moisture-resistant design enables ensured performance when working in inclement environmental conditions.
Nine-blade circular diaphragm enables a smooth out-of-focus quality that is well-suited to shallow depth of field imagery.
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens is a prime, normal focal length lens featuring a very fast and bright f/1.8 maximum aperture to support working in dimly-lit conditions and for greater control over focus for shallow depth of field imagery. The sophisticated Sonnar optical design enables high resolution and sharpness with optimized low-light shooting capabilities. A Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to lens elements to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity. Additionally, a dust- and moisture-resistant construction ensures this lens’ use in tough environmental conditions.
This prime normal-length lens features a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture to benefit working in low-light conditions and for greater control over the plane of focus.
Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating lessens lens flare and ghosting for contrast-rich imagery with sustained color neutrality.
Dust- and moisture-resistant design enables ensured performance when working in inclement environmental conditions.
Nine-blade circular diaphragm enables a smooth out-of-focus quality that is well-suited to shallow depth of field imagery.
Sony came out with a few key accessories for the A7 and A7r including the Vertical battery Grip, LAEA3 and LAEA4 lens adapters!
Vertical battery Grip – VGC1EM
This black Vertical Battery Grip from Sony allows for long-term, comfortable shooting in the vertical orientation with your Alpha a7 or a7R digital camera. It accepts 1-2 NP-FW50 batteries, which are available separately, to extend and possibly even double your shooting time. The grip uses a battery with lower power first, then automatically switches to the one with greater power when the first runs out. Remaining battery power is displayed as a percentage on your camera’s LCD monitor. Additionally, batteries can be replaced without turning off the camera.
The grip offers an extra shutter button, located at the low position, and other controls placed appropriately for easy, comfortable access. A strap hole allows you to attach the optional STP-GB1AM Grip Belt. The buttons, dials, battery cover and connecting terminal on the grip are securely sealed for dust and moisture protection. $298
A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter – LAEA3
A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter – laea3
The black A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter from Sony enables you to attach any A-mount lens to an Alpha E-mount full-frame digital camera body. It supports Auto Exposure (AE) and features an aperture mechanism. The adapter is also configured with a detachable tripod mount for supporting large, heavy lenses. Additionally, the ALC-B55 camera body cap and a rear lens cap are supplied. $198
A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter – LAEA4
A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter – laea4
The black A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter from Sony enables you to attach virtually any A-mount lens to an Alpha E-mount full-frame digital camera body. Teleconverters and Minolta XI lenses are not compatible. The adapter features a built-in AF motor, aperture-drive mechanism and Translucent Mirror Technology to enable full-time, continuous, TTL phase-detection autofocus. AF is supported with all A-mount lenses except STF models, and auto exposure will be enabled with all compatible lenses. Translucent Mirror Technology effectively directs light to both the imaging and focus sensors simultaneously, enabling AF to work seamlessly even during video recording and continuous shooting. For video, aperture is fixed at the maximum f/stop of the lens or at f/3.5, whichever is lower. The adapter is configured with a tripod mount for supporting large, heavy lenses. An ALC-B55 camera body cap, ALC-R1EM rear lens cap and carrying pouch are supplied. $348 [divider]
Sony A7 and A7R Field Test
Check out this awesome field test by Chris Niccolls via TheCameraStoreTV
[quote]
Published on Oct 15, 2013
We’ve been hoping for someone besides Leica to make a full frame, interchangeable lens mirrorless camera, and Sony has finally produced the cameras we’ve been waiting for! In this episode The Camera Store TV’s Chris Niccolls checks out the new Sony A7 and A7R, full frame mirrorless cameras with killer specs for the price. See if they live up to the huge promise they offer.[/quote]
It also includes the Lock-On Autofocus function first seen in the Sony A58, which tracks your subject as it passes between focus points, or strays outside of the focus point coverage area. (It’s the first time this tech has been included by Sony in a camera without phase detection.)
The Sony A7 still sports the company’s mirrorless E-mount, but it now accepts new Sony FE full-frame lenses. Five Sony FE lenses debut alongside the camera, and Sony tells us it aims to have 10 FE lenses by the end of next year, and 15 lenses by the end of 2015. Of the currently-announced lenses, two are primes, and three are stabilized zooms.
Although it doesn’t provide a count for the number of seals, Sony describes the A7’s magnesium-alloy body as both dust and moisture-resistant. The HDMI port is interesting, too, though. According to Sony, it’s the first to automatically detect 4K displays, and provide a 4K ultra high-def video output when one is detected. The HDMI port is also unusual in that it can be used at the same time as the camera’s LCD monitor.
The SonyCyber-shot DSC-RX10 Digital Camera is a compact, point-and-shoot camera that features a large 20.2MP, 1″, Exmor R, CMOS sensor. Updating from the successful RX1 and RX100 digital cameras, the RX10 houses the new BIONZ X image processor. The built-in, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, 8.3x optical zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 24-200mm, covering abroad range of focal lengths to provide versatile, multi-functional shooting from one zoom lens. A constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 is effective in low light and provides shallow depth of field focus control. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is also available to help minimize the effects of camera shake when working in dimly-lit conditions and with greater zoom magnifications. The lens also features 7 aspherical elements to minimize aberrations and distortion and Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating, which helps to reduce surface reflections, lens flare, and ghosting in order to produce imagery that is rich in contrast and clarity. A new Direct Drive, Supersonic Wave Motor (SSM) provides fast and smooth autofocus action while Eye AF enables precise eye-detection focusing with confirmation that a subject’s eye is in focus even if their head is partially turned. Flexible Spot areas allow precise focus placement, and Lock-on AF keeps focus locked on a moving subject, even if that subject leaves the frame momentarily. Seamless close-up shooting is also supported, which no longer requires the need to switch to a dedicated macro mode, for focusing on subjects as close as 11.8″. The RX10 also features a large 3.0″, 1228K-dot, Xtra Fine LCD monitor with a tilting design to better serve working from high and low angles. WhiteMagic technology is incorporated into the display to increase the effective brightness of the screen. Also, the XGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder integrates four aspherical elements for sharp eye-level composition. An automatic eye-sensor recognizes when an eye is at the viewfinder and illuminates the EVF while turning off the LCD. Full HD 1080 video is supported in both 60i/p and 24p frame rates and in both AVCHD format and MP4. A built-in stereo microphone and an external mic jack are provided as is a headphone jack from audio monitoring. Professional features such as full manual exposure control and uncompressed off-camera recording are also supported. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Connectivity) allow for easy wireless connections to smartphones and tablets in order to transfer images for sharing as well as to use your smartphone as a remote control via the free Sony PlayMemories app. The compact magnesium alloy body of the RX-10 is moisture and dust resistant and offers a built-in pop-up flash, the Sony Multi-Interface shoe for connecting flashes, microphones, lights, monitors, and other accessories. A selectable click or click-less manual control ring on the lens lets you adjust numerous camera settings without taking your eye from the image and customizable buttons provides fast access to the camera settings that you need most.
~$1,298.00
Closing Remarks:
Anybody want to buy my Sony Nex-6? 🙂 Seriously, I really want one of these full frame A7 cameras, but can’t decide on which one. The higher resolution would be good for everything except sports very often. The focus speed is very import when it comes to capturing photos of moving kids and dogs for example. The new Eye AF feature looks awesome for when your really close to your subject and using a fast lens like f/1.8 for example. The face recognition does an excellent job currently, but having the eye is clearly better. Even if it leaves the frame it will remember and track from one focus point to another. The issue is speed though, because contrast AF is significantly slower than the hybrid AF, so this really matters to me. Thanks, Jay
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