The Most Versatile Camera Money Can Buy | SONY A7CR

Former Sony A7RV shooter here. Just recently picked up a Leica Q3 and a used SL2. Minus the red dot and cool design, view finder, and weather sealing, I can confidentially say that Sony makes the better camera for thousands of $ less. The Q3 was really disappointing. The paint chips way too easily. It feels cheaper in the hand as compared to the Q2. It takes too long to boot up. And the autofocus is still way behind Sony despite the switch to phase detect. If you want the ultimate Leica experience, get an M11, with a 35mm or 50mm Summilux. Then use Sony, Nikon, Canon, or Fuji for everything else.

I bought the A7CR day one it was available. The first Sony since the a7iii that caught my eye in the same way. It’s been great. Having one camera that can do it all in such a tiny package is just phenomenal

Great video. You said it all. My A7CR made my A7R3 seem like a grandparent with it's new focusing features and larger sensor. Just watching you swap Sony glass for Leica glass and even Samyang glass shows that the body is just the start of an incredible journey in photography. We have to look at this not for what it can't do but what it can do. I hope one day soon people will look at these Sony bodies as professional tools, not an amateur's toy with the missing hump, but something that delivers professional quality work. Again, great video. You covered it well.

Can confirm this is one of the best cameras that I've ever used, and has become my go to. It is also one of the least value for dollar cameras that I've ever used, but I knew that going in. Would buy again

I just got mine yesterday . I have lots of pro cameras. And this is my new favorite

As an owner of the A7CR i have a few issues with it, that were known prior to purchase, but i underestimated how much they bother me (not enough to sell currently though) : Max mechanical shutter cappjng at 1/4000 of a second and using a bright aperture lens like tge gm 1.2 or 1.4 on bright days wide open. You cap iso and shutter too fast to be honest. I didnt have that peoblem with the Nikon as its base iso was lower and i could get faster mechanical shutters. The resolution of the screen and the viewfinder is only critical in manual focus on bright days. Build quality of the body itself and especially of the grip extension. It gets scrached and the coating gets peeled off quite fast. Never had such problems with my prior Panasonic/Nikon/Canon gear. I heard its not present on the A7RV, as the build is supposed to be better there. Also on the FX3, but on the A7C the body isnt really as solid, as I expected it to be. Not a toy, but def. not "pro"-grade, throw it into your bag type, instead: put it down slowly type. Autofocus subjects not automatically switching depending on the image. So if you have animal selected and try to shoot a person after and forget to switch, the autofocus doesn't latch on the eyes. This costed me a 5/6 really good shots at a farm or once with a dog owner. The ergonomics, I thought i would get used to, are still clunky. I have to move my hand quite a bit to reach some buttons. They are a bit Akwardly placed. Its not the distance, just the positioning. A perfect example is the ricoh gr iii which is a true joy to use and is even smaller

Agree 💯 I am in love with this camera.

I’m probably going to get the A7C II, but MAN, the CR really is several cameras in one. You basically get an additional APS-C camera for free (you could always slap on an APS-C pancake and make it literally pocketable). And you can put the grip on for those situations where compactness isn’t necessary or you really need the right ergonomics for big lenses. Crazy how flexible the CR is. I think Sony made a really good decision to add that grip to their line up.

Just started following you recently and have been enjoying your videos. The shot at 4:17 is my old neighborhood. Crazy how i can spot just the single alley.

Was I going to get this camera? Possibly. Am I going to get it after watching this video? Absolutely. Great video man! The B roll was CLEAN. Also the animated backgrounds on the photos don't go unnoticed! So good!

Going from the a7ii to a7cii 3 days ago, i can confirm how the autofocus is insanly good. I paired it with the 35f2.8zeiss+55 and omg, so compact LOVE IT

I have been back and forth on this camera. I have the A7R V and agree it's larger than I would like for an 'everyday carry'. But it's a pretty amazing camera. They're a few features missing on the A7CR that make me pause, and seeing the grip extension on the A7CR makes the camera look to be pretty close in size to the A7RV. I do like the corner viewfinder for shooting. I may still pick one up but waiting to see what's coming in 2024. And I agree with vintage lenses, there are soo many cool ones that have great characteristics.

I sold my nikon d850 off and bought a replacement sony a7c r. This camera opened the coffin from me. This is really easy to use and fast. I like it.

Love the commentary about moving away from really clinical looking images to those imbued with more character, patina, and intrigue, even if they're "not as good." In fact, it's the "not as good" factor that amplifies the allure of personal photography. It's why I still like instant photography and other forms of analog media. You get unexpected results that are an active contribution to the art beyond just the inputs of the photographer. Not many folks address stuff like that, but it is EXACTLY why I'd like the control and resolution of this rig, but with the ability to add some grit when you want. Thanks for the review.

I also have both grips and I also use them depending on what kind of lenses I have on my Sony A7cII 🙂

Really glad you made thius video. Once I get the coin together, this is going to be my camera.

No worries about the Q3, sold it for the A7Cr :D

Nice informative video...I am cheap...I use a pair of A7s bodies...but planning to buy a second hand A7c next month..I just wish it had a flip down screen vice side flip...I am mostly a street shooter... I rarely have any need for video. Cheers.  (My "go to" street cams for a long time were pair of Lumix GX9 bodies with some Pan-Leica glass...but alas I still craved full frame)

Solid review. I'd just note that if adapting manual lenses and a vintage look is the goal for cheap: The original A7s is pretty dang small and should be extremely cheap by now.

I've been shooting the A7RV for almost a year now as my main body and just picked up a A7Cii for backup, travel & video. I think Sony did a great job with the size and aesthetics. I great improvement - especially in ergo - to the previous gen. BTW, I just picked up the Smallrig (silver) baseplate/grip too! For me, the A7CR was not an option to replace my A7RV, for the main workhorse needs, but also, because it does not have a full mechanical shutter and the video is pixel binned (another reason why I picked up the A7Cii).