Sony a7cR - Hands On Review From Brazil Safari - Best Travel Camera, Here's Why

I just took the a7cr on the its first cruise, I was thrilled and impressed. I used a combination of crop and FF lenses. I used raw M mostly and was able to go seamlessly between lenses and got stunning images. For animals and epic landscapes I would switch to raw L and a FF lens. The details, color and dynamic range blow you away. The single card is not an issue, I regularly upload my images via usb C to usb C cable to lightroom mobile on my phone. It would get to the cloud as soon as I had wi fi. A small rig bottom bracket is much better than the supplied grip, it has an arca Swiss plate and is flat. Also I added an eye cup from Amazon, get the one for a7cr or cII, the one for the a7c is different. It shades stray light, adds comfort and protection. For me it is perfect.

As a professional, this camera would never work as my main camera ... jk i bought one. Love it.

Hey Dave - just an FYI, the studio portion has audio only on the left channel. All of your concerns are completely valid. No joystick is unforgivable on a hybrid camera these days. At these prices, I don't imagine they are going sell well.

4:51 I’m almost pee myself! That was hilarious 🤣😂🤣

Great video, facts, opinions, no blah blah! Thanks!

I’m a non professional/ hobby shooter who buys a camera for a very very long term. I have a few questions, if you can help. My immediate trip is Kenya/Tanzania. I want to buy a full frame and carry a 70-200/200-600 for the trip. Between the R iv and cr I’m guessing the CR is better. Latest hw and longer support? Does it feel very weird having a 200-600 lens on a CR?

Very nice video, thank you! I´m shooting mostly on longer hikes in the mountains (landscape but also animals and some astro), size matters. Cropping ability is also important, sometimes I also need the resolution for bigger prints. Now I have a A7R III but sometimes I would like a smaller body like my old A6000. The quality of the EVF and the backscreen hold me back, I would be fine with no joystick. I have to try...

I'm confused... at 1:02 it shows images captured using Bird Eye AF at 11fps. In all the reviews I've seen for the A7CR they say that max fps is at 8fps - 7fps in e-shutter mode). How did you get 11fps? Did you drop down in resolution or something?

You should use the mechanical shutter on fast moving subjects then you wont have that bending.

Do you have any issues with the burst rate? i believe it shoots 8fps but I have heard that it slows down very quickly after the first few shots even with a fast SD card

Brazil is beautiful !

Thanks for the overview. I've been very seriously considering this camera to put a small prime lens on for use as an everyday carry camera. What is preventing me from pulling the trigger however is the lack of a joystick. Like you mentioned, the tracking is amazing but it isn't able to read my mind as far as subject choice is concerned. Currently the X-T5 is the camera I use for wildlife and I thought I could pick this up and possibly use it to replace the X-T5 for wildlife as I expand my lenses. I have been in situations when the tracking on the X-T5 wasn't sticking to the subject and I needed to use the joystick. Although this is typically occurs in lower light situations. So I am concerned about running into this issue and missing shots. Maybe Sony will release a A7CRa version that addresses the low resolution LCD/EVF screens and adds a joystick. I'll buy that one!!! Cheers, Greg

May I ask what lens did you bring for this trip?

Some of the cons are none in my book. Viewfinder on the left seems to be an issue for you, because you are left-eyed. For me as a right-eyed person it is perfect. I don‘t touch anything with my nose. I have Joysticks on other cameras, but don‘t really need it for my style if photography on modern Sony cameras. The AF system is just so good. I can get by with the AI-based AF in combination with the perfect tracking.

Why test a rangefinder style camera with the viewfinder on the left and then complain it is a rangefinder style camera with the viewfinder on the left? Just get the A7R5!

Excellent review Dave. A couple comments. You are the first reviewer I've watched who didn't feel the add on grip was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Just saying, but hey, that's a personal choice. Personally, when I buy a new camera, before it's even delivered, I buy a screen protector, and a SmallRig grip extender. With larger lenses, I wouldn't want to be without one. The other thing, is the joy stick. I get why everyone thinks it should have one, like the full size HDMI port, but let's get real. Where are you going to put it? I don't know about you, but on my A6700 (near identical back) my thumb fills the entire space, Maybe if you got rid of the AF On button and/or the Fn button? 😁

The selfie screen is the deal breaker for me, being only a stills shooter. The screen on most of the Fujifilm cameras (X-T line with the exception of the X-T4, GFX 100S, 50S II) is ideal really, although the one on the A7R5 is also excellent. Sony should have put that one on the new A7c line.

Thank you for the video. Im a Sony shooter who just sold my A7C and A7IV and own a A7RV and A1. Looking at both the A7CR and A7CII and haven't been able to decide on which but your video may have convinced me. Was favoring the C II for hopefully lower noise but you don't appear to consider it an issue. is there any negatives not shared by both the A7C R and A7C II?

Wait. What was that throw-away line about the a7c2 being better in low light? Why?

What lenses did you use with the a7cr/ what lenses do you recommend for travel photography