Sony unleashed the Sony A7 and the A7R in October of 2013. With the Sony A7 aimed for general use sporting a 24 MP sensor and hybrid autofocus, the A7R differs primarily with its 36 MP sensor, therefore making the A7R more suitable for specific types of photography that need high resolution such as landscape, architecture, studio and product photography. I had an opportunity to test both cameras in 2014, however, I did not have a chance to write detailed reviews for a number of different reasons. Hence, this is more of a catch-up, showcasing some images from my recent trips, along with the usual analysis.
Without a doubt, the A7R has been a significant release from Sony. With a 36 MP sensor, it has been the highest-resolution mirrorless camera since its release and has been another alternative to the highly-regarded Nikon D800 / D800E / D810 DSLRs for a long time (until Canon broke the record with its 50.6 MP Canon 5DS / 5DS R cameras). In fact, many photographers who did not want to switch from another system were happy to discover the A7R, because it allowed them to continue using their current and legacy lenses via adapters.
To address different needs, Sony released a total of three A7-series cameras with varying resolutions. Below is a short summary of the three camera classes and the type of photography they are intended for:
- Sony A7S (12.2 MP): Astro / Night photography, Event, Portraiture, Photojournalism and Video
- Sony A7 / A7 II (24.3 MP): Sports / Action, Event, Portraiture and Other general photography
- Sony A7R (36.4 MP): Architecture, Landscape, Studio, Fashion, Product and Macro photography
A detailed comparison of specifications can be found further down on this page.
Sony A7R Specifications
- Sensor: 36.4 MP Sony Exmor™ Full-Frame CMOS image sensor
- Autofocus System: Contrast-detection AF with 25 points
- Continuous Shooting: 4 fps
- Electronic Viewfinder: XGA OLED with 2.4 Million dots, 100% field coverage
- Viewfinder Magnification: 0.71x
- Movie: Up to Full HD movie shooting @ 60 fps
- Panorama Mode: Yes
- HDR Capability: Yes
- Battery Life: Up to 340 images (LCD)
- LCD: Tiltable 3″ LCD with 921,600 dots
- Shutter: Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
- Electronic Front Curtain Shutter: No
- Wi-Fi Capability: Built-in
- Weight: 407g body-only
- Price (MSRP): $2,299 (MSRP as introduced), $1,899 (current)
Detailed technical specifications for the Sony A7 II are available at Sony.net.
Sony A7S vs A7 vs A7 II vs A7R
Here is a detailed comparison of specifications from the four cameras:
| Camera Feature | Sony A7S | Sony A7 | Sony A7 II | Sony A7R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm | 35.9 x 24.0mm |
| Sensor Resolution | 12.2 MP | 24.3 MP | 24.3 MP | 36.4 MP |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 8.44µm | 5.97µm | 5.97µm | 4.88µm |
| Sensor Anti-Aliasing Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | No | No | Yes, 5-axis | No |
| Image Size | 4,240 x 2,832 | 6,000 x 4,000 | 6,000 x 4,000 | 7,360 x 4,912 |
| Viewfinder Type, Dots, Coverage | EVF, 2.4 M dots, 100% | EVF, 2.4 M dots, 100% | EVF, 2.4 M dots, 100% | EVF, 2.4 M dots, 100% |
| Built-in Flash | No | No | No | No |
| Storage Media, Type | 1x SD, UHS-1 | 1x SD, UHS-1 | 1x SD, UHS-1 | 1x SD, UHS-1 |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 5.0 FPS | 5.0 FPS | 5.0 FPS | 4.0 FPS |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-102,400 | ISO 100-6,400 | ISO 100-6,400 | ISO 100-6,400 |
| Boosted ISO Sensitivity | ISO 50, 204,800-409,600 | ISO 50, 12,800-25,600 | ISO 50, 12,800-25,600 | ISO 50, 12,800-25,600 |
| Autofocus System | Contrast-detection AF | Fast Hybrid AF | Fast Hybrid AF | Contrast-detection AF |
| Focus Points | 25 points (CDAF) | 117 points (PDAF), 25 points (CDAF) | 35mm: 117 points, APS-C: 99 points (PDAF) / 25 points (CDAF) | 25 points (CDAF) |
| Electronic Front Curtain Shutter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ Up to 60p | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ Up to 60p | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ Up to 60p | 1920×1080 (1080p) @ Up to 60p |
| 4K Output | Yes | No | No | No |
| LCD Size and Resolution | 3.0″, 921,600 dots | 3.0″, 921,600 dots | 3.0″, 1,228,800 dots | 3.0″, 921,600 dots |
| Built-in GPS | No | No | No | No |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Construction | Full Magnesium Alloy | Partial Magnesium Alloy | Full Magnesium Alloy | Full Magnesium Alloy |
| Battery Life | 360 shots (CIPA) | 340 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA) | 340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight (Body Only) | 446g | 416g | 556g | 407g |
| Dimensions | 126.9 x 94.4 x 48.2mm | 126.9 x 94.4 x 48.2mm | 126.9 x 95.7 x 59.7mm | 126.9 x 94.4 x 48.2mm |
| Price As Announced (MSRP) | $2,499 | $1,699 | $1,699 | $2,299 |
The first key difference is obviously the camera resolution – at 36.4 MP, the A7R has the highest resolution among the A7-series cameras and hence has the highest image size, the smallest pixel size and the slowest continuous shooting speed of 4 fps. It also is the only camera in the group that does not come with an anti-aliasing / low-pass filter, which provides a little more detail from high-quality lenses. Since the camera is not meant to be used for capturing fast action, it only features contrast-detection autofocus.
I specifically marked the Electronic Front Curtain Shutter (EFCS) line above in red, because of its significance. The A7R is the only camera in the group that does not have this much-needed feature. Lack of EFCS is the Achilles’ heel of the Sony A7R and as you will see on the next page of this review, it is the main reason why I cannot recommend this camera to any of our readers.
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