In the addendum to the preview, the author notes that the dials can be used as a combination "shutter and aperture priority mode". This is actually really handy for photography. Looking at the comparison photos on dpreview, there seems zero doubt that this camera out resolves the Canon5D3, particularly in the area of microtextures. A pretty amazing achievement by Sony.
Shooting experience is added to DPreview preview - http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-alpha-7-7r/5
The iso up to 6400 is ok for noise reduction and it seems the DRO function and Contrast settings can increase the dynamic range to a point which can be enough for sun/shadow situations:
http://similaar.com/foto/flaat-5n/index.html
http://similaar.com/foto/flaat-5n/technical-tests-1.html (see the shadows lifting in the waveform increasing dro level and lowering contrast)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex5n/7 (change the dro level to see the dr improvement in the graphics lines)
@apefos 5D3 looks good in that comparison.
It appears the A7r performed very well at ISO 3200 compared to the D800 and 5D3. I would say that it seems like a very solid performer in low light if kept to a reasonable ISO. 5D3 is the best at low light of the 3 at ISO 6400. A7r was still workable with some NR IMO.
My take is that the A7r is a good bargain with it's lower price, good low light, smaller size, super flexible lens mount and 1080 60p.
More samples from same press event
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/sony/7-and-7r/sample-photos-285.html
Gordon Laing from Cameralabs did the tests to compare the low light noise performance from Sony A7, A7R against Canon 5D3 and Nikon D800e, just download the original files from vimeo (straight from camera) to compare the noise in low light in all isos (navigate in the vimeo pages to find all the 5d3, d800e and a7/a7r low light videos):
The dream low light performance and moire aliasing free is what I would like to have also...
So, if you are in a hurry get the 5D3, it is the solution for these things right now. The 720p 60p from 5D3 upscales nicely. If you can wait, maybe Canon will release the 5D4 with 1080p 60p, wifi, dual pixel af in the future...
I suppose there will be a 750D with same improvements, but APS-C and will need some denoise. The 70D sensor cleans pretty good up to 6400 iso with neatvideo.
@apefos, thanks, I see what you mean. I have an external monitor, I'm looking for as you say the "dream" low light performance and lack of aliasing/moiree.
Sony A7 test shots comparison with other cameras:
@DrDave, I think the Sony A7/A7R will not be better than 5D2 for low light, maybe similar? or even worse? I think if your main goal is to improve low light performance the Sony A7/A7R do not worth over the 5D2, go for the 5D3 or just keep the 5D2. But if you want wifi, 1080p 60p, articulated lcd, e-mount to use legacy lenses, then A7/A7R are good choices. The 5D3 25600 iso with small denoise is perfect.
Remember there are new 5" or 3.5" Lcd in ebay with interesting design and good price for the 5D2 and 5D3:
I would like to use a full frame camera, but it seems the lower price A7 will suffer from moire and both A7 and A7R does not bring the dream low light performance and great dynamic range... I think if you can wait it will be better give a time to see if a Canon 5D4 will come with 1080p 60p, Digic6, better 25600 or 51200 iso, Dual Pixel AF, wifi... and it will be a great full frame camera. Also, good picture styles can improve DR in Canon cameras a lot. Resolution from Canon is on par with A7R.
@DrDave, are you suggesting that you get sharper video from your GH2 at ISO 3200 in a dark room like this? Also remember that the lens used was a Zeiss 35mm f2.8 which I would guess most of us would like to use a lens that is a bit faster in a situation like that dark room. I also wonder what the NR setting was on the A7r. IMO ISO 3200 is a bit high. Personally I really only go as high as ISO 1600.
I saw an A7r low light video that seemed to show a bit sharper video. I'm guessing they didn't have it cranked up to ISO 3200. Need more tests with different settings I guess.
@apefos, how do you think it compares to the 5D2, just as a reference? I don't have the 5D3.
As someone who constantly has to make videos in spaces that have flat or smooth curved surfaces that are partly in shadow, the new Sony seems less "blinky" in the shadows, even at ISO 3200 in the vid above. However, the vid above does not seems as sharp as what I would get with the GH2 and the Panny 20mm. Maybe part of that is NR.
Smooth transitions from the lamp, which usually would be problematic in the center where the bulb is. I'm assuming the bulb is not that bright.
Some things I perceived:
A7R resolution is slightly better than A7, just a little, but makes difference, but not a main reason to decide. Iso performance is pretty equal for both cameras, not a reason to decide. Maybe the moire performance in the roofs will be the most important difference. To my eyes 5D3 resolution is similar to the A7R, better than A7. Dynamic range in 5D3 can be improved with custom picture styles, and it is moire aliasing free, curious to see moire aliasing tests in A7R and A7. 5D3 iso performance is the king, 25600 iso from 5D3 is similar to 3200 iso from A7 and A7R or even a little bit better. If you are low light hungry would it worth using an external LCD in the 5D3 instead of the tiltable LCD in the A7/A7R and lose wifi, 1080p 60p, and the short flange mount ?
maybe he will do moire comparisons between a7 and a7r...
Man, these jpg(!!!!!) examples are insane, i want those 14 bit raw stills!
I must say that i've been very impressed with the A7r video i've seen so far. It looks to me like it has good enough detail for most purposes aside from maybe high detail landscape shots. This is really good since it also appears that the camera does a good job in low light and has very good DR. Gotta say that FF with mirrorless mount is very enticing. Talk about flexibility of lens choices!
I'm not sure i've read if anyone confirmed that the APS-C Crop mode of the A7r works in video or not. Anyone confirmed that it does the crop mode in video?
If you want to see how the Sony a7R performs in low-light environment, check out this article:
http://www.slrlounge.com/night-sony-a7r-low-light-performance
Here is a video shot with A7R that you can actually download:
Here is same the video slightly graded and deinterlaced(??)
Hard to judge because of the shaky footage, but to me it seems pretty sharp. What do you pixel peepers think compared to GH3 for example? Is it worth investing to A7R or would you wait for the next "big one"?It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!