I think this is the dream camera for anyone who has shoots both APSC and full frame with Sony. With the number of megapixels in crop mode and the amount of features, its basically an a6700 combined with an A7R 5.
@@nafnaf0 I am already sorta doing it. A few months ago I replaced both my A7R (original "M1") and my a6000 with a A7r IV, which has really become very affordable in the 2ndary market. I use it with both full frame and APSC lenses. It's an ok solution for apsc. In my small APSC kit bag (a Billingham Hadley small pro) it really doesn't require any compromises in terms of lenses/other kit compared to my a6000. But it's not something I can throw into my work/day bag as an "everyday" camera, which the a6000 with a small 35mm f1.8 prime or the 16-50mm kit lens it could easily be. Part of me wishes I waited for the A7CR but affordability wise the A7R IV is good enough for me.
@@JimIBobIJones agree with your points. I have the A7rV and carry the 70-350 for the longer end of shooting. Far more compact lens that FF alternative with excellent results. But as you said, it's still noticeably larger than an A6000 series body and lens combo. I personally think the A6700 is a better choice than the A7cR as the whole package is much less expensive and smaller. Spending $3k on a body that's essentially identical to the A6700, and use it with APS-C lenses while plenty good may feel like one may be leaving IQ on the 'table' shooting in APS-C and a portion of that sensor. The Sony G lenses are great and tiny and I think well suited for this camera. Sigma and Samyang also have compact, lighter weight lenses that would work well the A7C bodies.
My buddy and I both own Sony APS-C cameras and love your videos! I’ve bought the Sigma trifecta of great primes and a couple other lenses largely because of your reviews. Honestly though, your time reviewing all this great camera gear may be your blind spot with the A7CR. Like you, I started with an A6000 and fell in love with the format. Unlike you, that’s still what I have. I invested in a bag full of great crop lenses, and I’ve since taken some amazing pix. I’ve wanted to step up into full-frame, but that’s a HUGE outlay for an amateur hobbyist on a budget. The A7CR might actually be a genius move by Sony to get guys like me to make the leap. Starting with just the purchase of the body, I can use all my crop lenses and get about 3MB more resolution, better auto-focus, better colors…pretty much WAY BETTER EVERYTHING compared to the A6000. As time and budget allow, I can start looking at FF lenses. To me, the A7CR looks like a perfect new camera body! It’s this kind of thinking that camera makers need to do to keep their industry alive. Kudos to Sony!!
My thoughts exactly, I thought Arthur would be THE youtuber that would have this idea. I'm still using the a6000 too and I think I might buy it just so I can have a FF and a APS-C camera at the same time, and use all my old APS-C lenses while trying some FF lenses at the same time
Yep, that s a me too !! :-) exactly my thoughts, I have an ageing a6500 that I looove because I am looking for a small as possible camera for my backpack travels. Yet I am looking for the best compromise on quality. So this a7cr to me, is the possibility to get an incredible upgrade, shoot in 26 MP when travelling still using my G apsc lenses and be very light. And the same time when back home, and when I will want to invest into some FF lenses, I can tryout the top FF 61MP :-) ... this is peeeeerfect ... genius move by Sony !!
Thanks for the video Arthur. To answer your question, "who is this made for?"... well, me! I am a hobbyist and do a lot of wildlife photography, amongst other things. Previously, I had 3 bodies; A1 (main) A9 (backup) and A6600 (travel camera). I now have A1 but have replaced the other 2 with the A7CR. It is almost literally 2 cameras in one. You can still get 26mp stills with APS-C glass that makes it compact for travelling (this paired with Sigma's 18-50 F2.8 is a great combo!) but when I need a second FF body, I can use this with all my FF glass too! I would definitely get an A1C to replace this if they released that too!
I’ll tell you who this is for: me. The only problem is that I’m going to have to stick with the A6700 for a year before moving to it only because spending $3k isn’t happening now. But here’s why- being able to use a lightweight compact camera that can do APS-C lenses without losing significant megapixels is a big deal. But at the same time I can also use full frame and get full resolution if I want too is great. I value versatility. I had the A7C and I REALLY liked it. I ended up selling it and getting the A7IV but I really missed the A7C’s size and weight. Getting the A7RV resolution though would be great. Sadly I just can’t do it right now.
I've done something similar and got a A7R IV to replace both my OG A7R and A6000 - as that has come down in the used market to being as cheap as a new a6700. Whilst the A7R IV body is just about compact for me to carry as much kit as before without getting a new camera bag, the A7CR is much more appealing - until you look at the price! I think I will stick to the 7R IV for a while. I don't need the AI processing and the autofocus is more than good enough for me.
@@JimIBobIJones I used to have the A7RIII and I really liked the megapixels I got out of that camera but the size and weight was a big change going from APS-C. After going through a variety of full frame cameras Ive decided I value size and weight very highly especially after an arm injury I just can’t handle the weighty/bulky cameras anymore.
@@Vern_LevineI agree with everything you said! After living in the point and shoot world for 25+ yrs I bought my first full frame camera, Sony, A7IV, (which is a beautiful device), in July 2023. I would really like the A7CR for all the reasons you described but it’s tough spending that kind of money, especially as a hobbyist who doesn’t use my camera to make money. Be strong and hold out! That’s how Sony gets most to give them all their money!
It's built for someone exactly like me!!! I love the a7riv, only downsize its the size. I do a lot of travel photography where every pound I carry matters. I also travel where my day pack is small where every cubic inch matters. When it comes to hiking, biking, mountaineering having a smaller camera is the best.
This could make sense as a splurge body for someone who has a lot of APS-C lenses but is interested in 1-2 FF lenses for specific uses as well. In APS-C mode, you'll get the 26 MP you get from the A6700 anyway. And now there's no form-factor compromise vs. the APS-C bodies.
Interesting Idea. How would be the rolling shutter performance in comparison? Another youtuber (cannot remember the name) mentioned that he had no option to shot 4k 60p with the A7R in APS-C mode for whatever reason. Is this true and the same with the A7CR?
I can answer the question in the meantime. Jason Vong has tested it. A7CR has no 4K60 Aps-C mode (but 1.2 crop Fullframe 4k 60p). Interestingly, rolling shutter at 4k24p is worser in Aps-mode than in fullframe mode. Strange. Therefore, video-wise I am happy that I went with the A6700.
@@Simsel81 Hmm... it would be interesting to take a A7CR and try to shoot 4K60 in the 1.24x crop mode with an APS-C lens and see what happens... I imagine you would get a heavy vignette towards the corners.
Love your reviews Arthur, I think for me this camera appeals to me because of its size. I was a Nikon shooter for a long time, but when I saw the size of the APS 6000 series I was hooked. I want to move up to mural sized prints ( I shoot landscapes) and this maybe the ticket for me, Thanks again if you ever get to Bend Oregon I owe you at least a coffee or beer for all your hardwork and just to say thanks.
I was in the Camera Exchange store in San Antonio yesterday and was interested in this model. I am not into photographing but into video, so I started looking at the ZV-E10 and had one bad experience with this camera where the HDMI port stopped working after three days. Still have it but use it on the road. The ZV-E1 is what I bought because of the full frame and added features. Cheaper than the A7SIII plus it had one of the better imaging LCD screens that I can view outdoors. Has extra features and stabilization plus I picked the White color because of better heat tolerance. PP11 Cinetone is fantastic plus the 10 bit. I use the lesser 4k @ 30. I do not need the extended grip that comes with the A7CR. One card slot does not bother me and I like the internal mic. Lot more settings to get used too but I will learn them. I didn't know when Auto Framing is on that the stabilization is turned off. Should of figured it out immediately because of the Crop factor using the Framing feature. Less megapixels but great in low light. I put the APSC 11mm and it did great until while car vlogging I hit some bad parts in the road which are a lot in my area off IH35. The kit lens for the APSC cameras 16-50mm fared much better in those same conditions. Love your videos! Cheers!
Great review, Arthur. I've been shooting with an APS-C for a couple of years now (A6400), and like many, I'm thinking of jumping to Full frame, but the investment is holding me back. The A7Cr (and A7Cii in a lesser way) is appealing to me. True, the 61Mpx is overkill for my use of the camera, but its crop mode (26mpx) mean that it would basically be 2 cameras in one. I would get a FF and a great APS-C all-in-one. It would allow me to buy one good lens for travel, and I would still be able to keep all my good APS-C lenses. All that for about 1k$ less than an A7RV... This seems like a win-win for me. I'll still wait a couple of months just to see how it really performs. Keep up your good work!
This light, compact full-frame camera with a 61 mp sensor (26 mp in aps-c), 7-step IBIS, and a smaller, lighter aps-c telephoto zoom would be a very effective set-up for a hiking, backpacking landscape photographer. A Sony 20 mm f1.8 and Tamron 28-200 mm f2.8-5.6 on the original 24 mp a7C are already very effective for that use; but 300 mm at 26 mp in aps-c mode and better IBIS for use without a tripod is selling me for it. An image-stabilized, longer-range (350 mm) aps-c telephoto zoom would work even better (toward eliminating a tripod) and would have a longer effective range of 525 mm for photographing the wildlife on hiking and backpacking trips.
If price wasn't an issue, this would be my number one camera choice. After all, the best camera is the one you have with you... so, the lighter the better. And relative to weight, this is easily the most powerful camera in existence.
It is understandable why A7CR is constantly being directly compared to A7RV but it might not be the best way too look at it. Unlike say baseline A7IV and much more high end A7R5, the new A7CII and A7CR are essentially the same camera just with 33 or 61 MP resolution. Instead of thinking about A7CR as a smaller and reduced A7RV it may make more sense to look at it as the exact same $2200 compact A7C camera just with $800 option to upgrade the sensor and nothing more. Kind of like with laptops, you do not generally directly compare a 13" model with an option to upgade CPU to a 16" model, right? Personally, I went from APS-C to A7RIV some time ago and while I fell in love with extra resolution it always felt a bit too large, too heavy. And then A7RV became a little bigger and heavier yet. I am reluctant about upgrading to A7RV despite all its features, so this new A7CR may be the Sony's chance to sell me another one of their 61 MP sensors. The only thing that I do not like is the flip-only screen design, to the point of wondering if I'm crazy enough to try fixing that myself (I do have some engineering skills, enough so that it might not be impossible).
Remember, if you break it, you buy it. I for one don't get overly concerned by the flippy screen. It will do just fine. I see real benefits. It's a pro camera yet it is small like an a6700. You will walk around with it and no one knows what a powerhouse it is. You can take it to make professional videos or stills of models in public and not look too obvious. But most of all this camera just looks beautiful, every bit as good as the a6700, it's little brother. I'm glad to see Sony put so effort into making a rangefinder style boy, or one with an offset EVF. Far more comfortable. I look at the cost, then I look at my cash. If I can swing it, I will get it. Already have the a6700 so this will be put on the backburner. In time I will decide to sell a couple of camera things I don't need and buy the CR or just keep my A7R3 and be happy.
@ArthurR, this is the camera i willllllll buy. why you ask. i am at that point that i want to transistion from apc to full frame but : 1 i dont like the bulkyness of full frame 2 i dont have a ton of money to buy multiple lensens this way i can still use my aps-c lenses (and retain a decent pixel count !!), slowly buy full frame lenses and switchback to aps-c when i want a compact travel kit !!! best of both worlds !!! only real downsides 1 pay for more full frame pixels than i need (but that makes sure i have enough aps-c pixels) 2 i dont get the joystick and the fancy screen etc etc (dual card slots is not my main need for now)
I think a good use case is as a really good backup body/b cam for someone who already has an A7RV and doesn’t want to spend the money for a second one.
This with a couple (or three) of the compact fixed focal length lenses from Sony or Sigma (I series) would be brilliant. Enough pixels to compensate for the lack of zoom. I am a Canon person but am seriously tempted by this camera and the compact high quality lenses that the RF system lacks. Ideal for travel or every day.
This camera is quite intriguing for me. I’ve wanted an R5, but as a landscape photographer who doesn’t want a heavy camera that takes up a lot of space. It’s what primarily has kept me in APS-C.
I saw somewhere that Rxm2 wasn't a big seller for Sony. Truthfully I feel that this is the direct competitor to the Leica and X100 style cameras. The 2.5 40mm and 50mm prime lenses would be amazing to carry around and have that much MP. Now Sony just needs a 35mm. When its time for me to leave the A6400 this will definitely be my holy grail
I see the analogy of the A7CR’s 61MP sensor to the Leica Q3’s 61MP. For me, knowing what the A7CR offers I’m never looking at the mythical, magical, je ne sais quoi of the Leica again! Leica fans will always take the Leica Q series, but I can hear in my mind Sony engineers saying, “Rest assured if you get the A7CR you’ll have the better camera, and more money in your pocket!” With the ref to a newer version of the RXM2, its been 8 years so maybe it’s time to give up on that thought! Still, one can effectively create that camera with the A7CR and one of the tiny Sony, 24/40/50mm,f2.5/f2.8, G lens, (given this would be slightly larger still.). Some will scream at me but the +5mm difference makes the Sony 40mm lens a proxy for 35mm. If you need 35 mm that focal length in a compact size why not go with the well revered, Zeiss, 35mm, f2?
The thing is if you are not using your camera for hobby is hard to risk going out there with a single card slot. No matter how reliable SD cards are nowadays.
I used to shoot strictly APS-C then got an A7IV and cannot go back. I took the a6000 and then the a6400 on so many multi-day backpacking trips and miss the size and weight but this a7cR would solve this and then some. The full frame is just built different, figuratively and literally.
I immediately bought one ,to update my A7r4 use along side . It's just a wonderful cam being able to use both Full/Apsc 61mp/27mp ,lens is the main reason.Now wish it can come with some high iq compact lens .lightness & compactness is the key & does almost everything right ,as the bigger one
Seems to me that it’s for folks who might have looked at Leica Q3 but for less money like that they get interchangeable lenses. Travel. Journalists. Street photo.
If the A7CR had come out before the A6700, I would probably have bought instead. It is a camera that can be used with full frame lenses for maximum resolution or APS-C lenses for maximum lightness when travelling. If it just had the multi tilt screen or better EVF I would upgrade, but as not I will stick with the A6700 despite it being less flexible in use.
For me the dealbreaker swapping my A7r IV for this one is the lack of a fully mechanical shutter. Since I shoot wide open a lot of the time it'll ruin my bokeh at very wide apertures and fast shutter speeds (say, 1/800+). And I can't always use the (fully) electronic shutter instead. It's a real pity, but perhaps this was the only way they could save on the shutter and at the same time guarantee a long service life. Perhaps.
For me its a tempting upgrade. I shoot manual Voigtlander E- mount on A7III, and also a Leica Q2 28mm. This looks like a cheap alternative to an M11 rangefinder with the same sensor. EDC size is important.
This feels like a good alternative to the Q3, now that you mention it. It doesn't have the Leica prestige but it is half the price, and allows for multiple lenses.
If 4k60p (no crop) and 4k120p (with crop) video are important to you, then A6700 beats them both. Either 7C involves crop at 60p and neither supports 120p.
Thank you for the video. I received my copy last week and I’m very happy with it and plan to use it along side my A7RV as both a backup and a travel version. It’s not a replacement for the super functionality of the A7RV. The light additional grip is a nice addition ergonomics but will still often use a SmallRig base plate that is only $29. Will consider selling my lightly used A6700 and APS-C lenses if I think that is now redundant but we will see. Can we no get a real 28mm f/2 lens from Sony or Sigma to go along with it.
The use case for this is the same as a Fuji x100 vi and a Leica Q3. Don't let the fact that it's not a fixed lens or a vintage style body fool you...put a pancake 28mm on there, and it's a monster travel/EDC camera.
The C series is aimed at occasional and well off tourist who wants something stylish, straightforward and easy to carry on the Grand Tour. It is aimed at the cruise market. The cost of producing it is minimal given all the gubbins are taken from the RV. As for the RX, I had one of those but it was too small and fiddly even for my average hands. I would go CR instead, especially the silver top one.
Only professionals really need 61 megapixels (in my opinion), though I’m only an amateur. I suppose 61 MP would be great for poster size or billboard size photos. File size is too large for me. I might consider the a7Cii if I really wanted to move to full frame. Thanks for the review. I’d like to see a comparison between the a6700 and the a7Cii (assuming you buy the a7Cii).
I want this camera. I am using Sony APSC for many years and I am waiting for a A6xxx style FF camera. I am also using Leica m10 with a few M lenses. To me, buying this camera is equivalent to buying my targeted 3 cameras, i.e. an A6700, an A7CII and a Leica M11. I can use A7CR for my Sony APSC lenses and still have 26mp for each photos. I can use A7CR for Sony FF lenses in future and I can use A7CR for my Leica M lenses. So, for me, buying this one camera effectively means owning 3 cameras.
I would really have liked much more time on the EVF. It is usable if you are right eye shooter? is it big enough for older people to see all the cramped information? A lot of people would expect a 4MPixel EVF for such sensor resolution... We know it's a A7R V minus few bits... The difference between a channel and another is when they dive in what matters... Maybe some other viewers would have been interested in the screen brightness, others in the buffer size (which is very limited with so many megapixels and such card support... a single CFExpress might have been better)
I don't think the view finder will hurt your ability to take great images. Unless you're using manual focus lenses and don't want to punch in. I think the high view finders are more of a luxury than a necessity.
Great video as usual. Regarding your comment about the grip though, many of the other reviewers I watched showed that Sony packaged a grip extender with the A7CR, so that may be a non issue. Regarding who's this camera for: well, for an amateur/hobbyist like me. One small body that is in effect both a FF and APS-C camera that gives me the ability to crop in post and/or to extend the reach of the lenses I already own; for someone who travels and wants a light kit but the FF capability; for someone who doesn't need the pro features of two card slots, CF Express type A (although that would have been really nice to have); and someone who feels the A7RV is too costly and is far more camera than they need. Unfortunately, I bought the A7IV a year ago new for $2,500 and am not ready to take the hit in selling it for $750-$1,000 less than I paid for it in order to buy a $3,000 A7CR. And, except for its size, the A7IV is still a terrific camera.
It surely is a niche luxus product. I see it targeted at the same group as the A7Cii. Looking for the same thing but with no budget limitation and making use of that high megapixel. I mean on travel this is perfect. Bring a light 24 1.8 , 70-200 F4. Bam with crop mode you got a 35 and a 105-300 there as well. Bring whatever lens you need as well. Practically, a high megapixel like this, turns your prime into a zoom lens
The market for this camera is someone like me who already has a full frame/GFX set up, its an additional camera for someone who wants a tiny light travel camera. Its an additional camera, not your primary one.
This camera makes some sense for the wedding professional that Carrie’s two bodies. It could be a cheaper second body option. Thinking more deeply, why not two a7crs. You now have two cards and a second body. This combination is a $1,000 less than the a7r5 a7c r combination.
A lot of People want smaller camera. I like my a7c i don’t want a bigger body. It fits nicely in the bag or a pocket with a small 40mm lens. Also a big flash 60rm2 is much less taller on my a7c. A7cII and A7cR (with extended grip included) is very interesting. I will wait a7cIII and a7cR2 as i would want a new processor more powerful and on smaller die size that generates less heat. I said a year ago that releasing the bionz xr processor in the new small body a7cII a7cR and a6700 would generate too much heat. And this is the case. I will wait a new generation of processor. My a7c does the job for my need. I prefer to invest in Davinci Resolve 19 studio for 2025. And i just received my Weebill 3s combo which is fantastic with the Sony a7c.
Ok, awesome. Now I absolutely don´t know what the heck to do! I wanna replace my old A6300 (bought in 08/2018). The A6700 would be a logical choice, right? But 1,700 USD god damn...Now this model is 3,000 which is even more unreachable for me. Holy smokes.
You are way too fond of what you want from camera. I dont care about viewfinder, or grip at all. Loved the NEX-3. I would love to have most minimal camera with best image quality, and if you cant frame photos with screen and without viewfinder, that is your loss. And maybe train grip strenght.
Sony plays with customers. They intentionally removed joystic, 8000 shutter speed, some custom buttons making people thirsty after those. So those will be included on 'a7cr ii' and people will buy them again. You just have to wait.
They shouldve made this an upgraded a7RIV. That way what they couldve packed in a couple more features with the price difference and sold it for $2,600 $3000 is just not worth it for the camera.
Sony should come out of the boxy look for such compact cameras - they should give some sort of shape at the top of the camera and a corner cut - like the one we see on Nikon Z30.
Let's be real, this camera was made for Arthur. What is funny is how he trying to talk himself out of buying one. He wants it, badly. Question, will his wife let him????
Like the size but it comes with too many compromises for $3k. A single normal SD card, a better viewfinder than what the A7c had but not even close to that of the A7RV, rear screen implementation that's ok but nothing exciting again compared to the A7RV. One point that I haven't heard anyone talk about is this sensor demands better glass in front of it. That generally means GM level lenses which are bigger, heavier and make this camera/lens combo balance poorly. As I said, I like the size of this camera, I bought the A6700 and with my APS-C lenses that combo is great. You make a good point with Sony shooters that have the A7rV and if this came in at $3k with all the features of their camera for a lot less would be upset. But Sony seems to not care about their supporting base, as each new model brings features that everyone has been sitting tight waiting for a firmware update that never comes... and no shortage of angry Sony shooters out there already.
I agree these new A7C cameras are a real head scratcher. Wait a couple of months buy an original A7C sub-$1000 or pay a couple hundred more than the A7Cii for an A7IV in my market.
A7cR is a joke because if you are a professional get the A7R5 because it's an investment. And if you are a hobbyist why the hell would you need a 61mp sensor. Get one of the hybrid one.
I was looking forward to this because 61mp would mean I can use my old apsc lenses and still get 26mp. Also because of the crop factor, all my prime lenses would now be two lenses. 24mp in ff mode and 36mp in apsc. 85mp in ff mode 127.5 aps-c. But now I am disappointed and would rather save the $800 and pick up another ff lens
I also have no idea why did they bother to bring this camera out and in that price point. If it was 2500$ then yes even if had A7riii sensor....3k$ for no dual card, 8fps! And no 8k.... Crippled it in too many ways Sony!
The one area I can see this body going are those crazy people in Alaska and norther European lands where there are beautiful vistas and lots of snow and ice. Carrying this smaller body will do just as good as the bigger body. But time will tell. People will amaze us as this CR will probably sell like hotcakes since it is a mini R5 at about a grand less.
@@bondgabebond4907 A7riv* it has nothing from the A7rv except for some new firmware upgrades and the AI cheap. No new 4d screen, no 8k, ibis is also inferior like its 8fps!
I would absolutely love a side by side comparison video and picture shot of the A6700/A7CR/A7C2 just to really make an informed purchase and a (Best use case) scenario. 🤌 please and thank you ☺️🙏
I think this is the dream camera for anyone who has shoots both APSC and full frame with Sony. With the number of megapixels in crop mode and the amount of features, its basically an a6700 combined with an A7R 5.
It also just opens up your lens choices if you don't need the full 61MP. Most APS-C lenses are pretty light.
It really is. Would dream about using like a 24mm, 55mm and something like a 70-300 APSC for the long end
Hmm.. that is really a good way of thinking about it. You really could use APS-C lenses with it too (it is basically identical to the A6700)
@@nafnaf0 I am already sorta doing it. A few months ago I replaced both my A7R (original "M1") and my a6000 with a A7r IV, which has really become very affordable in the 2ndary market. I use it with both full frame and APSC lenses.
It's an ok solution for apsc. In my small APSC kit bag (a Billingham Hadley small pro) it really doesn't require any compromises in terms of lenses/other kit compared to my a6000. But it's not something I can throw into my work/day bag as an "everyday" camera, which the a6000 with a small 35mm f1.8 prime or the 16-50mm kit lens it could easily be.
Part of me wishes I waited for the A7CR but affordability wise the A7R IV is good enough for me.
@@JimIBobIJones agree with your points. I have the A7rV and carry the 70-350 for the longer end of shooting. Far more compact lens that FF alternative with excellent results. But as you said, it's still noticeably larger than an A6000 series body and lens combo. I personally think the A6700 is a better choice than the A7cR as the whole package is much less expensive and smaller. Spending $3k on a body that's essentially identical to the A6700, and use it with APS-C lenses while plenty good may feel like one may be leaving IQ on the 'table' shooting in APS-C and a portion of that sensor. The Sony G lenses are great and tiny and I think well suited for this camera. Sigma and Samyang also have compact, lighter weight lenses that would work well the A7C bodies.
My buddy and I both own Sony APS-C cameras and love your videos! I’ve bought the Sigma trifecta of great primes and a couple other lenses largely because of your reviews. Honestly though, your time reviewing all this great camera gear may be your blind spot with the A7CR. Like you, I started with an A6000 and fell in love with the format. Unlike you, that’s still what I have. I invested in a bag full of great crop lenses, and I’ve since taken some amazing pix. I’ve wanted to step up into full-frame, but that’s a HUGE outlay for an amateur hobbyist on a budget. The A7CR might actually be a genius move by Sony to get guys like me to make the leap. Starting with just the purchase of the body, I can use all my crop lenses and get about 3MB more resolution, better auto-focus, better colors…pretty much WAY BETTER EVERYTHING compared to the A6000. As time and budget allow, I can start looking at FF lenses. To me, the A7CR looks like a perfect new camera body! It’s this kind of thinking that camera makers need to do to keep their industry alive. Kudos to Sony!!
My thoughts exactly, I thought Arthur would be THE youtuber that would have this idea. I'm still using the a6000 too and I think I might buy it just so I can have a FF and a APS-C camera at the same time, and use all my old APS-C lenses while trying some FF lenses at the same time
Yep, that s a me too !! :-) exactly my thoughts, I have an ageing a6500 that I looove because I am looking for a small as possible camera for my backpack travels. Yet I am looking for the best compromise on quality. So this a7cr to me, is the possibility to get an incredible upgrade, shoot in 26 MP when travelling still using my G apsc lenses and be very light. And the same time when back home, and when I will want to invest into some FF lenses, I can tryout the top FF 61MP :-) ... this is peeeeerfect ... genius move by Sony !!
Thanks for the video Arthur. To answer your question, "who is this made for?"... well, me! I am a hobbyist and do a lot of wildlife photography, amongst other things. Previously, I had 3 bodies; A1 (main) A9 (backup) and A6600 (travel camera). I now have A1 but have replaced the other 2 with the A7CR. It is almost literally 2 cameras in one. You can still get 26mp stills with APS-C glass that makes it compact for travelling (this paired with Sigma's 18-50 F2.8 is a great combo!) but when I need a second FF body, I can use this with all my FF glass too! I would definitely get an A1C to replace this if they released that too!
love your reviews. straight to the point, no long-winded intros, just the stuff we care about. thanks again!
I’ll tell you who this is for: me. The only problem is that I’m going to have to stick with the A6700 for a year before moving to it only because spending $3k isn’t happening now.
But here’s why- being able to use a lightweight compact camera that can do APS-C lenses without losing significant megapixels is a big deal. But at the same time I can also use full frame and get full resolution if I want too is great. I value versatility. I had the A7C and I REALLY liked it. I ended up selling it and getting the A7IV but I really missed the A7C’s size and weight. Getting the A7RV resolution though would be great. Sadly I just can’t do it right now.
I've done something similar and got a A7R IV to replace both my OG A7R and A6000 - as that has come down in the used market to being as cheap as a new a6700.
Whilst the A7R IV body is just about compact for me to carry as much kit as before without getting a new camera bag, the A7CR is much more appealing - until you look at the price!
I think I will stick to the 7R IV for a while. I don't need the AI processing and the autofocus is more than good enough for me.
@@JimIBobIJones I used to have the A7RIII and I really liked the megapixels I got out of that camera but the size and weight was a big change going from APS-C. After going through a variety of full frame cameras Ive decided I value size and weight very highly especially after an arm injury I just can’t handle the weighty/bulky cameras anymore.
@@Vern_LevineI agree with everything you said! After living in the point and shoot world for 25+ yrs I bought my first full frame camera, Sony, A7IV, (which is a beautiful device), in July 2023. I would really like the A7CR for all the reasons you described but it’s tough spending that kind of money, especially as a hobbyist who doesn’t use my camera to make money. Be strong and hold out! That’s how Sony gets most to give them all their money!
It's built for someone exactly like me!!! I love the a7riv, only downsize its the size. I do a lot of travel photography where every pound I carry matters. I also travel where my day pack is small where every cubic inch matters. When it comes to hiking, biking, mountaineering having a smaller camera is the best.
Would love to see a comparison between this A7Cr solely in crop mode vs. A6700.
This could make sense as a splurge body for someone who has a lot of APS-C lenses but is interested in 1-2 FF lenses for specific uses as well. In APS-C mode, you'll get the 26 MP you get from the A6700 anyway. And now there's no form-factor compromise vs. the APS-C bodies.
Interesting Idea. How would be the rolling shutter performance in comparison? Another youtuber (cannot remember the name) mentioned that he had no option to shot 4k 60p with the A7R in APS-C mode for whatever reason. Is this true and the same with the A7CR?
Exactely my thoughts as well
I can answer the question in the meantime. Jason Vong has tested it. A7CR has no 4K60 Aps-C mode (but 1.2 crop Fullframe 4k 60p). Interestingly, rolling shutter at 4k24p is worser in Aps-mode than in fullframe mode. Strange.
Therefore, video-wise I am happy that I went with the A6700.
@@Simsel81 Hmm... it would be interesting to take a A7CR and try to shoot 4K60 in the 1.24x crop mode with an APS-C lens and see what happens... I imagine you would get a heavy vignette towards the corners.
Love your reviews Arthur, I think for me this camera appeals to me because of its size. I was a Nikon shooter for a long time, but when I saw the size of the APS 6000 series I was hooked. I want to move up to mural sized prints ( I shoot landscapes) and this maybe the ticket for me, Thanks again if you ever get to Bend Oregon I owe you at least a coffee or beer for all your hardwork and just to say thanks.
I was in the Camera Exchange store in San Antonio yesterday and was interested in this model. I am not into photographing but into video, so I started looking at the ZV-E10 and had one bad experience with this camera where the HDMI port stopped working after three days. Still have it but use it on the road. The ZV-E1 is what I bought because of the full frame and added features. Cheaper than the A7SIII plus it had one of the better imaging LCD screens that I can view outdoors. Has extra features and stabilization plus I picked the White color because of better heat tolerance. PP11 Cinetone is fantastic plus the 10 bit. I use the lesser 4k @ 30. I do not need the extended grip that comes with the A7CR. One card slot does not bother me and I like the internal mic. Lot more settings to get used too but I will learn them. I didn't know when Auto Framing is on that the stabilization is turned off. Should of figured it out immediately because of the Crop factor using the Framing feature. Less megapixels but great in low light. I put the APSC 11mm and it did great until while car vlogging I hit some bad parts in the road which are a lot in my area off IH35. The kit lens for the APSC cameras 16-50mm fared much better in those same conditions. Love your videos! Cheers!
Great review, Arthur. I've been shooting with an APS-C for a couple of years now (A6400), and like many, I'm thinking of jumping to Full frame, but the investment is holding me back. The A7Cr (and A7Cii in a lesser way) is appealing to me. True, the 61Mpx is overkill for my use of the camera, but its crop mode (26mpx) mean that it would basically be 2 cameras in one. I would get a FF and a great APS-C all-in-one. It would allow me to buy one good lens for travel, and I would still be able to keep all my good APS-C lenses. All that for about 1k$ less than an A7RV... This seems like a win-win for me. I'll still wait a couple of months just to see how it really performs. Keep up your good work!
This light, compact full-frame camera with a 61 mp sensor (26 mp in aps-c), 7-step IBIS, and a smaller, lighter aps-c telephoto zoom would be a very effective set-up for a hiking, backpacking landscape photographer. A Sony 20 mm f1.8 and Tamron 28-200 mm f2.8-5.6 on the original 24 mp a7C are already very effective for that use; but 300 mm at 26 mp in aps-c mode and better IBIS for use without a tripod is selling me for it. An image-stabilized, longer-range (350 mm) aps-c telephoto zoom would work even better (toward eliminating a tripod) and would have a longer effective range of 525 mm for photographing the wildlife on hiking and backpacking trips.
Can you please test the IBIS with non Sony lenses? The A7RV only offers 5 stops for those.
If price wasn't an issue, this would be my number one camera choice.
After all, the best camera is the one you have with you... so, the lighter the better. And relative to weight, this is easily the most powerful camera in existence.
It is understandable why A7CR is constantly being directly compared to A7RV but it might not be the best way too look at it. Unlike say baseline A7IV and much more high end A7R5, the new A7CII and A7CR are essentially the same camera just with 33 or 61 MP resolution. Instead of thinking about A7CR as a smaller and reduced A7RV it may make more sense to look at it as the exact same $2200 compact A7C camera just with $800 option to upgrade the sensor and nothing more. Kind of like with laptops, you do not generally directly compare a 13" model with an option to upgade CPU to a 16" model, right?
Personally, I went from APS-C to A7RIV some time ago and while I fell in love with extra resolution it always felt a bit too large, too heavy. And then A7RV became a little bigger and heavier yet. I am reluctant about upgrading to A7RV despite all its features, so this new A7CR may be the Sony's chance to sell me another one of their 61 MP sensors. The only thing that I do not like is the flip-only screen design, to the point of wondering if I'm crazy enough to try fixing that myself (I do have some engineering skills, enough so that it might not be impossible).
Remember, if you break it, you buy it. I for one don't get overly concerned by the flippy screen. It will do just fine. I see real benefits. It's a pro camera yet it is small like an a6700. You will walk around with it and no one knows what a powerhouse it is. You can take it to make professional videos or stills of models in public and not look too obvious. But most of all this camera just looks beautiful, every bit as good as the a6700, it's little brother. I'm glad to see Sony put so effort into making a rangefinder style boy, or one with an offset EVF. Far more comfortable. I look at the cost, then I look at my cash. If I can swing it, I will get it. Already have the a6700 so this will be put on the backburner. In time I will decide to sell a couple of camera things I don't need and buy the CR or just keep my A7R3 and be happy.
@ArthurR, this is the camera i willllllll buy. why you ask. i am at that point that i want to transistion from apc to full frame but :
1 i dont like the bulkyness of full frame
2 i dont have a ton of money to buy multiple lensens
this way i can still use my aps-c lenses (and retain a decent pixel count !!), slowly buy full frame lenses and switchback to aps-c when i want a compact travel kit !!!
best of both worlds !!! only real downsides
1 pay for more full frame pixels than i need (but that makes sure i have enough aps-c pixels)
2 i dont get the joystick and the fancy screen etc etc (dual card slots is not my main need for now)
I think a good use case is as a really good backup body/b cam for someone who already has an A7RV and doesn’t want to spend the money for a second one.
The RIV would be better suited for that
Honestly, I would love to own this. I am not a professional and I prefer compactness. So if I had infinite budget, this not A1, would be my pick.
@jmventertainment7 Isn't ZV-E1 essentially the A7CS? There is no EVF but with it being primarily intended for video it might not be a big deal.
This with a couple (or three) of the compact fixed focal length lenses from Sony or Sigma (I series) would be brilliant. Enough pixels to compensate for the lack of zoom. I am a Canon person but am seriously tempted by this camera and the compact high quality lenses that the RF system lacks. Ideal for travel or every day.
This camera is quite intriguing for me. I’ve wanted an R5, but as a landscape photographer who doesn’t want a heavy camera that takes up a lot of space. It’s what primarily has kept me in APS-C.
I saw somewhere that Rxm2 wasn't a big seller for Sony. Truthfully I feel that this is the direct competitor to the Leica and X100 style cameras. The 2.5 40mm and 50mm prime lenses would be amazing to carry around and have that much MP. Now Sony just needs a 35mm. When its time for me to leave the A6400 this will definitely be my holy grail
I might be even better if Sony refresh the Zeiss 35mm/2.8 prime in a slim pancake form and not as part of the 24/40/50 design line
@@Cfyzium Agreed! I love the design of the 24/40/50.
I see the analogy of the A7CR’s 61MP sensor to the Leica Q3’s 61MP. For me, knowing what the A7CR offers I’m never looking at the mythical, magical, je ne sais quoi of the Leica again! Leica fans will always take the Leica Q series, but I can hear in my mind Sony engineers saying, “Rest assured if you get the A7CR you’ll have the better camera, and more money in your pocket!” With the ref to a newer version of the RXM2, its been 8 years so maybe it’s time to give up on that thought! Still, one can effectively create that camera with the A7CR and one of the tiny Sony, 24/40/50mm,f2.5/f2.8, G lens, (given this would be slightly larger still.). Some will scream at me but the +5mm difference makes the Sony 40mm lens a proxy for 35mm. If you need 35 mm that focal length in a compact size why not go with the well revered, Zeiss, 35mm, f2?
Since the Leica Q3 is still hard to get. Thinking getting this plus compact 24 or 28 mm prime as substitute
for some people it makes a lot of sense to pay extra for the grip and dual cards
for Job many people must need Dual Card no choose
For some it doesn’t lol that’s the good thing about options
The thing is if you are not using your camera for hobby is hard to risk going out there with a single card slot. No matter how reliable SD cards are nowadays.
@@CLVlogs05yet thousands of professionals live with dslrs with single slot and 10 year old auto focus and they make bank…..
I used to shoot strictly APS-C then got an A7IV and cannot go back. I took the a6000 and then the a6400 on so many multi-day backpacking trips and miss the size and weight but this a7cR would solve this and then some. The full frame is just built different, figuratively and literally.
Thanks for the detailed review i wonder does it have all the same crop mode funcionality and does it have focus stacking thanks.
I immediately bought one ,to update my A7r4 use along side . It's just a wonderful cam being able to use both Full/Apsc 61mp/27mp ,lens is the main reason.Now wish it can come with some high iq compact lens .lightness & compactness is the key & does almost everything right ,as the bigger one
Seems to me that it’s for folks who might have looked at Leica Q3 but for less money like that they get interchangeable lenses. Travel. Journalists. Street photo.
If the A7CR had come out before the A6700, I would probably have bought instead. It is a camera that can be used with full frame lenses for maximum resolution or APS-C lenses for maximum lightness when travelling. If it just had the multi tilt screen or better EVF I would upgrade, but as not I will stick with the A6700 despite it being less flexible in use.
the name's mouthful. I thought it was a corvette. hahaha
For me the dealbreaker swapping my A7r IV for this one is the lack of a fully mechanical shutter. Since I shoot wide open a lot of the time it'll ruin my bokeh at very wide apertures and fast shutter speeds (say, 1/800+). And I can't always use the (fully) electronic shutter instead. It's a real pity, but perhaps this was the only way they could save on the shutter and at the same time guarantee a long service life. Perhaps.
For me its a tempting upgrade. I shoot manual Voigtlander E- mount on A7III, and also a Leica Q2 28mm. This looks like a cheap alternative to an M11 rangefinder with the same sensor. EDC size is important.
This feels like a good alternative to the Q3, now that you mention it. It doesn't have the Leica prestige but it is half the price, and allows for multiple lenses.
Diver I think will be good for diver it smaller size is perfect with smaller housing when traveling this make it’s easier to loads or carry with you.
waiting this video come out 😍
If 4k60p (no crop) and 4k120p (with crop) video are important to you, then A6700 beats them both. Either 7C involves crop at 60p and neither supports 120p.
Thank you for the video. I received my copy last week and I’m very happy with it and plan to use it along side my A7RV as both a backup and a travel version. It’s not a replacement for the super functionality of the A7RV. The light additional grip is a nice addition ergonomics but will still often use a SmallRig base plate that is only $29. Will consider selling my lightly used A6700 and APS-C lenses if I think that is now redundant but we will see. Can we no get a real 28mm f/2 lens from Sony or Sigma to go along with it.
It comes with that curtains to protect the sensor? I always get the the sensor dirty while changing the lens.
Yes! I have the A7CR.
Do you know the least noise-suppressed, most noise-suppressed ISO and maxiso when using Flexibleiso, cine s-log3 on Sony ac7r?
The use case for this is the same as a Fuji x100 vi and a Leica Q3. Don't let the fact that it's not a fixed lens or a vintage style body fool you...put a pancake 28mm on there, and it's a monster travel/EDC camera.
The C series is aimed at occasional and well off tourist who wants something stylish, straightforward and easy to carry on the Grand Tour. It is aimed at the cruise market. The cost of producing it is minimal given all the gubbins are taken from the RV.
As for the RX, I had one of those but it was too small and fiddly even for my average hands. I would go CR instead, especially the silver top one.
I just think use the A7Cr with APSC Lens for photo
is it better than use A6700 ??
or it is bad /not work idea ??
Two stops better IBIS is the only major advantage that comes to mind.
Same trash viefinder, not worth it for photo and for video A6700 is better.
First like! Cheers from Singapore :)))
I can't seem to find an answer anywhere. Does the a7CR have focus bracketing like the a7RV? If not, that is something that I just don't understand.
Only professionals really need 61 megapixels (in my opinion), though I’m only an amateur. I suppose 61 MP would be great for poster size or billboard size photos. File size is too large for me. I might consider the a7Cii if I really wanted to move to full frame. Thanks for the review. I’d like to see a comparison between the a6700 and the a7Cii (assuming you buy the a7Cii).
61 megapixels is awesome for those of us who like to crop the heck out of our photos, and then enlarge them.
All the features for landscape photography are there. FF landscapers on a budget?
I want this camera. I am using Sony APSC for many years and I am waiting for a A6xxx style FF camera. I am also using Leica m10 with a few M lenses. To me, buying this camera is equivalent to buying my targeted 3 cameras, i.e. an A6700, an A7CII and a Leica M11.
I can use A7CR for my Sony APSC lenses and still have 26mp for each photos. I can use A7CR for Sony FF lenses in future and I can use A7CR for my Leica M lenses.
So, for me, buying this one camera effectively means owning 3 cameras.
I would really have liked much more time on the EVF. It is usable if you are right eye shooter? is it big enough for older people to see all the cramped information? A lot of people would expect a 4MPixel EVF for such sensor resolution... We know it's a A7R V minus few bits... The difference between a channel and another is when they dive in what matters... Maybe some other viewers would have been interested in the screen brightness, others in the buffer size (which is very limited with so many megapixels and such card support... a single CFExpress might have been better)
I don't think the view finder will hurt your ability to take great images. Unless you're using manual focus lenses and don't want to punch in. I think the high view finders are more of a luxury than a necessity.
Great video as usual. Regarding your comment about the grip though, many of the other reviewers I watched showed that Sony packaged a grip extender with the A7CR, so that may be a non issue. Regarding who's this camera for: well, for an amateur/hobbyist like me. One small body that is in effect both a FF and APS-C camera that gives me the ability to crop in post and/or to extend the reach of the lenses I already own; for someone who travels and wants a light kit but the FF capability; for someone who doesn't need the pro features of two card slots, CF Express type A (although that would have been really nice to have); and someone who feels the A7RV is too costly and is far more camera than they need. Unfortunately, I bought the A7IV a year ago new for $2,500 and am not ready to take the hit in selling it for $750-$1,000 less than I paid for it in order to buy a $3,000 A7CR. And, except for its size, the A7IV is still a terrific camera.
I think a global shutter a7c will be the next new camera. But yes, RX1R3 would be fantastic.
It even comes with a grip to turn it into a DSLR form factor 😂
New to the Sony line. Is the R for photography focus or video ?
R stands for Resolution. The R branding means it'll be a photography focused high resolution camera
The shutter is the main downside. 1/4000 max and 1/160 flash sync.
It surely is a niche luxus product. I see it targeted at the same group as the A7Cii. Looking for the same thing but with no budget limitation and making use of that high megapixel.
I mean on travel this is perfect. Bring a light 24 1.8 , 70-200 F4.
Bam with crop mode you got a 35 and a 105-300 there as well.
Bring whatever lens you need as well. Practically, a high megapixel like this, turns your prime into a zoom lens
For me, it replaces my Leica Q2 as my travel camera and now I can have other lenses than just the Leica's 28mm 1.7!
Your right, I don’t really get this release, not for me
In my opinion, good for a FF and APSC hybrid camera.
I would snap buy an RX1R III.
The market for this camera is someone like me who already has a full frame/GFX set up, its an additional camera for someone who wants a tiny light travel camera. Its an additional camera, not your primary one.
This camera makes some sense for the wedding professional that Carrie’s two bodies. It could be a cheaper second body option. Thinking more deeply, why not two a7crs. You now have two cards and a second body. This combination is a $1,000 less than the a7r5 a7c r combination.
A lot of People want smaller camera. I like my a7c i don’t want a bigger body. It fits nicely in the bag or a pocket with a small 40mm lens. Also a big flash 60rm2 is much less taller on my a7c.
A7cII and A7cR (with extended grip included) is very interesting. I will wait a7cIII and a7cR2 as i would want a new processor more powerful and on smaller die size that generates less heat. I said a year ago that releasing the bionz xr processor in the new small body a7cII a7cR and a6700 would generate too much heat. And this is the case.
I will wait a new generation of processor. My a7c does the job for my need. I prefer to invest in Davinci Resolve 19 studio for 2025. And i just received my Weebill 3s combo which is fantastic with the Sony a7c.
Im getting this and the a9iii
saving my money for the rx1r3 or the a7cr2
I imagine this would be great for macro?
A7CR how many card slots?
1 (there, I saved you watching the video).
Should have put the better LCD with full tilt/swivel screen of A7RV on A7CR
im still waiting for update camera of my a5100
Ok, awesome. Now I absolutely don´t know what the heck to do!
I wanna replace my old A6300 (bought in 08/2018).
The A6700 would be a logical choice, right? But 1,700 USD god damn...Now this model is 3,000 which is even more unreachable for me.
Holy smokes.
Take a6600, it's very good camera, especially after a6300.
Awesome
I'd guess we'll see an Alpha 7 compact about a year after a new Sony medium format platform hits the market.
It's for people traveling and doing street who still want the image quality but need to trim down their bulk.
i think it's just a lot of megapixels for little money, which some people like
That’s the appeal for me, I have an A7iii currently but am curious about this one for sure. My main interest is landscape photos anyway.
@@Harvester88 i would probably buy it too but i have only like 20% of my lenses are fullframe so it's wayy to expensive
You are way too fond of what you want from camera. I dont care about viewfinder, or grip at all. Loved the NEX-3. I would love to have most minimal camera with best image quality, and if you cant frame photos with screen and without viewfinder, that is your loss. And maybe train grip strenght.
Sony plays with customers. They intentionally removed joystic, 8000 shutter speed, some custom buttons making people thirsty after those. So those will be included on 'a7cr ii' and people will buy them again. You just have to wait.
Sony should release a successor to the a6100. The A6700 is too expensive.
Agree! A6200 would be awesome at sub-$1000
They shouldve made this an upgraded a7RIV. That way what they couldve packed in a couple more features with the price difference and sold it for $2,600
$3000 is just not worth it for the camera.
I'd rather get a Nikon RED to keep my A6700 company in the shelf :)
Sony should come out of the boxy look for such compact cameras - they should give some sort of shape at the top of the camera and a corner cut - like the one we see on Nikon Z30.
First view like and comment ❤️
A7CR = RX1R
A7R5 >> 1STOP+ VIEW FINDER
Wedding photographers don't need duel slots... really.
Let's be real, this camera was made for Arthur. What is funny is how he trying to talk himself out of buying one. He wants it, badly. Question, will his wife let him????
It is not the same at all as the 7R5.
Like the size but it comes with too many compromises for $3k. A single normal SD card, a better viewfinder than what the A7c had but not even close to that of the A7RV, rear screen implementation that's ok but nothing exciting again compared to the A7RV. One point that I haven't heard anyone talk about is this sensor demands better glass in front of it. That generally means GM level lenses which are bigger, heavier and make this camera/lens combo balance poorly. As I said, I like the size of this camera, I bought the A6700 and with my APS-C lenses that combo is great. You make a good point with Sony shooters that have the A7rV and if this came in at $3k with all the features of their camera for a lot less would be upset. But Sony seems to not care about their supporting base, as each new model brings features that everyone has been sitting tight waiting for a firmware update that never comes... and no shortage of angry Sony shooters out there already.
I agree these new A7C cameras are a real head scratcher. Wait a couple of months buy an original A7C sub-$1000 or pay a couple hundred more than the A7Cii for an A7IV in my market.
A7cR is a joke because if you are a professional get the A7R5 because it's an investment. And if you are a hobbyist why the hell would you need a 61mp sensor. Get one of the hybrid one.
I was looking forward to this because 61mp would mean I can use my old apsc lenses and still get 26mp. Also because of the crop factor, all my prime lenses would now be two lenses. 24mp in ff mode and 36mp in apsc. 85mp in ff mode 127.5 aps-c. But now I am disappointed and would rather save the $800 and pick up another ff lens
I also have no idea why did they bother to bring this camera out and in that price point. If it was 2500$ then yes even if had A7riii sensor....3k$ for no dual card, 8fps! And no 8k.... Crippled it in too many ways Sony!
The one area I can see this body going are those crazy people in Alaska and norther European lands where there are beautiful vistas and lots of snow and ice. Carrying this smaller body will do just as good as the bigger body. But time will tell. People will amaze us as this CR will probably sell like hotcakes since it is a mini R5 at about a grand less.
@@bondgabebond4907 A7riv* it has nothing from the A7rv except for some new firmware upgrades and the AI cheap. No new 4d screen, no 8k, ibis is also inferior like its 8fps!
I would absolutely love a side by side comparison video and picture shot of the A6700/A7CR/A7C2 just to really make an informed purchase and a (Best use case) scenario. 🤌 please and thank you ☺️🙏