Sony a7cR Long Term Review

I've spent the last few months shooting with the Sony a7cR. Here are my thoughts.
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[@PhotoTrekr]

I've never understood why some people have a problem with a large lens on a smaller body. If the lens is large and/or heavy relative to the camera body, support the lens more. If the lens is a long heavy telephoto and you don't want to hold it, put it on a tripod by it's collar. The camera will be perfectly happy attached to the end of the lens. FWIW, I've been a photographer over 40 years. And I own two A7R5 bodies and an A7CR and an A7CII with a variety of Sony lenses. I've never once worried if a lens is too big for a body.

[@thegood9]

exactly. Most long lenses are overweight compared to the body, so...most of us are used to dealing with that. However, this is a travel camera (primarily), and people want a "balanced" configuration for the most part. At least that's why I bought this one.

[@Edlicious3DS]

I’ve been saying this for awhile. I’m a crack head and use the A6400 with the sigma 100-400mm with my hands 😅

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@Edlicious3DS See? Even a crackhead can figure it out. 🤯

[@KeithMeinhold]

I don't understand the issue either. I shoot perfectly comfortably with the a6000 and the 70-200/4 and the 18-105 lives on the body. Perhaps because I grew up with the AE-1 and large lenses I learned to hold my camera differently. The a7CR is my next camera no doubt, allowing me to use my APS-C lenses until I upgrade to FF lenses.

[@Pharesm]

Well, having a small 35mm lens don't want to go without. Others, I don't mind if they're big in relation to their quality and usefulness for my purpose.

[@stevearita3267]

Thank you for doing this long term review on the A7cR. I have the A7R5 and have been thinking about getting the A7cR as a secondary back-up camera, your review was very helpful. Thank you again for taking the time to do this.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you for the video. I’ve purchased the A7CR and a A7CII to use for travel and around town. I like traveling with two bodies and they complement each other. I also own A1’s and a A7RV but really like the nice smaller size. While I also wear glasses I’m able to get the diopter correction to allow me to shoot without my glasses. I use V90 cards and don’t suffer any real performance problems so far. I like the Sony extra grips but also use a SmallRig base plate. While I like smaller lenses I will use my smaller GM primes on it. Also trying out the Sony E 70-350mm APS-C lens on the A7CR in crop mode if I really want a lot of reach but don’t take that with me unless I know I will need it. Having fun with them so far. Take care.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Presently rewatched this and I was surprised my previous comment didn’t highlight that you forget to mention the included grip that can be used on the camera when wanting to mount a larger lens that is also easily removable in the field. Also when comparing it to the A7RV you mention the two card slots but not the great EVF and best rear display capability on any Sony camera. Maybe an update is needed if you want it to me recommended more. Would be nice if KZbin could add a recommended button to go along with a simple thumbs up. Take care.

[@theflyingbear]

Excellent review! And thank you for not adding annoying music like unfortunately many KZbinrs do. So it was a pleasure watching your very informative report! My choice for my 7cr are 2 of Sony's compact prime lenses, 24 / 2.8 and 40 / 2,5, and I consider buying the 20 - 70 zoom lens, and using it also with my 7cr but with the bottom mount plate that came together with the camera attached.

[@geogu3images]

There’s an EVF eyecup extender sold thru Amazon, it really helps in bright light. Shooting an A7r3 for years, I ordered the Q3 which was back ordered and unavailable forEVER. So I bought this A7Cr immediately after it came out, cancelled the Q3. Then upgraded my A7r3 for the A7r5, keeping my extensive lens collection. All set..

[@riparianlife97701]

Just bought the CR today. I never minded the 7c body in my hand, but I do appreciate the now-included grip extension. I also like having separate shutter speed and aperture wheels. Excited to try the AI autofocus in my first pro session with it tomorrow.

[@no1un0]

How did the AF go?

[@riparianlife97701]

@@no1un0 The AF is unreal. I no longer even check focus while shooting. The camera's got it.

[@ArminHirmer]

Yeah, sold my Q3 for this one. And its not that the Q3 is an amazing camera, but only 28mm...

[@woodyssoundup]

I've been thinking more and more about this camera and swapping out my A7RV... Love the RV but realistically, it's much more technical and has way more features and buttons than I ever use. I miss the simplicity of when I owned the original A7C as well as the weight with a smaller lens if carrying it on full vacations.

[@Harshpatil_GooglePlus]

Exactly how I felt with my A7IV. Used it for two years and sold it for the same price as I bought it at and replaced it with A7CII. I don't miss those two custom buttons nor the bigger EVF or the multiple SD card slots. The ergonomics are better than what I was used to back in the days with a6000, with which I shot thousands of photos. I get it for people in more professional settings, who might prefer the larger bodies but as a hobbyist, wanting to carry the camera to places, these A7C bodies are perfect.

[@bondgabebond4907]

@@Harshpatil_GooglePlus What is funny is that going back to the 80s, I purchased the Nikon F2A and FE2. I love the F2A for its historical value and reliability. It is a beast, but I really like the FE2 for the same reasons people like the A7C cameras, they are smaller and lighter. I have the A7R3 which is heavy and a beast like my Nikon F2A. But my new A7CR is really nice, light, compact, everything I want in a camera. I don't miss buttons because I tend to use it manually more than totally automatically. I'm used to it from my film camera days. But the EVF needs work. I can't explain by but the EVF on my a6700 feels better, easier to use, yet the two compact bodies are so close in dimensions and size. I really have to work to center my eye on the CR but not on the a6700. Go figure. But I still love it for its versatility and its very large 61mp sensor. I am doing things differently due to that sensor. It's really a great camera, along with the equally great a6700.

[@bondgabebond4907]

Good video. Sony's other camera that is good at everything but with an aps-c sensor is the a6700. It, too, has the same focusing technology of the A7R5. It also is a better all around camera than the A74. That is something considering I had the A74 and realized the a6700 was better. When the A7CR/II came out, my interest in them piqued. I finally got the A7CR mainly for the 61mp sensor and the compact body. After using the A7R3 for years, I really wanted something more compact. To help with handling the CR, I added the Small Rig bottom plate and that made it far comfortable to use. I really have no problem using large lenses, such as the original 70-200mm f4 and even the 200-600mm zoom. Though the 200-600 sits on a tripod most of the time. You gave a great review.

[@rphandler]

Excellent informative review. I have not had issues with long lenses on small bodies. I used to shoot the original 4/70-200 G on a Nex-7. My left hand goes to the center of gravity of the lens/camera combination where it balances. Saving total weight is my goal. Having owned many FF Sony bodies (I now use an a7Rv) I'm experienced at customizing the buttons. With the a7Cr some combinations of functions are impossible and will need transfer to the Fn fields, and inconvenience. As a fellow wearer of eyeglasses and often relying on exact MF (for instance with close-up nature photography), the compromised size and resolution of the EVF are a deal breaker. Manual focus with the a7Rv EVF is a pleasure. In contrast the tiny EVF of my Fuji x100v is inadequate causing me to struggle.

[@Gerald_G]

Nice, thorough information without too much techie details. Also cool stuff at 0:31 👊🏼

[@cameraprepper7938]

I wish that Sony will make a Camera a little bit like this, I like the design with the EVF in the corner, but I need much more resolution and magnification from the EVF, I also need a joystick, it should be video no video function at all ! I do not like the "fully" articulating screen which makes the camera too thick, a tilt screen is enough. A better built quality with the other things I mentioned and I will get two of those.

[@tobefree3718]

Why make a video all about compactness abd size and then stick a lens like that on it? It negates the whole premise of the small canera argument.

[@dalejones146]

The A7CR comes with a grip extender that works well with bigger, heavier lenses. I'm a little surprised you didn't mention that but that's a minor negative in an otherwise excellent and very informative review.

[@andriyurenov7215]

Was going to write the same

[@realgoose]

First video of yours I’m seeing. Thank you for the long term review. I’m considering this camera. A lot of great info. If I can make a request… please remove or adjust the light just off to the right. It’s shining directly into the camera and I found it very distracting. Our eyes are drawn to the highest contrasting areas of a frame and I want that to be your face, not a rear light.

[@stkuj]

I wish Sony had the same photo/video/s&q switch like on the A7CR for the A7RV-like bodes. Personally, I find that I over turn the multi-dial. Also, I feel the push-button then turn isn't really needed either on the A7RV-like bodies. BTW, wondering why you don't use the Smallrig baseplate/grip extension?

[@fabiolaspina2832]

Only one question... how many people shot with only one hand? So, I think that the weight of the lens is only a specious argument.

[@karenschlotke5796]

Thank you for the review. I'm shooting with a Leica SL2 right now, also doing streetphotography and it's just too heavy for me. So the a7CR looks really interesting as a camera to carry around all day on the streets. The only thing that stops me is the small viewfinder. I really need it and can't only use the screen.🤔

[@18yearsoldnot]

Damn I’m debating between these two cameras. I currently have a Leica tl2 and a sigma fp which I recommend if you want lighter but their af sucks ass. Apparently lumix are announcing a new camera on Thursday or something so I’d wait and see if they have an l mount equivalent to the cr

[@danielmartin7674]

you need to get the compact 24mm, 40mm, and 50mm Sony lens for this camera. I have them for my a7c2 and really like them.

[@ditchauto]

I have the 24 and the 40mm. Great lenses for sure.

[@JoshuaPeterson_yt]

@@ditchautoThose were the 2 I chose as well. The 40 & 50 were too close together to really need both. I love the 40mm paired with the A7CR

[@PureToxin]

I'm looking at upgrading from my a6400 to this camera. I was going to use my 18-105/f4 powerzoom in super35 mode until I acquire some additional glass. Do you think I would get better night time performance using the a7cr in super35 mode with a APSC lens over a a6400? I know the A7CR has better in-body stabilization for night photography so i'm assuming.. yes, I just wasn't sure if you get the benefits of the bigger sensor if you're using super35 mode or if it still captures the light as a full frame sensor and the crop is electronic. I have faster lenses but I would probably sell them, I just don't think I can sell my 18-105/f4 powerzoom; I love it too much. If the sensor still captures the light as a full frame sensor in super35 mode and just applies a electronic crop, I think my apsc 18-105 lens might be a perfect travel camera with a A7CR

[@BenSussmanpro]

Thanks. I have the same camera and wanted to see your experience with it. I also love this camera; however, my only complaint is that the menu doesn’t always display on the screen unless I have the display opened & extended. I also had the same problem with the original A7C (which I sold). Do you have this problem? I just learned to live with it - I rarely use the menus except to format the card.

[@dmille6]

fantastic camera.. all that is missing is a small joystick on the back to move the focus point

[@ditchauto]

Yes!!!

[@taemin-walks-the-streets]

What's going on with the bizarre noise pattern at 0:33 in the background for the man in the green sweatshirt and the black door?

[@MatisMedia]

I know you mentioned it but can you elaborate a bit more at using this for sports ? Is shooting 8 frames per second too slow? I’m worried that shooting that might make me miss shots for sports but then again something that shoots faster is much more expensive

[@jeansebastientlebreton]

Very helpful!

[@personaltrainersg]

Does your 24-105mm allow tracking focus while zooming? Because thst totally does not work on my a9iii

[@BenSussmanpro]

Yes - I have the same combo (CR + 24-105). It does indeed track while zooming in or out & does so pretty well.

[@personaltrainersg]

@@BenSussmanpro wow ok maybe the 9iii is just calculating too fast for the lens to keep up

[@MeAMuse]

There is a grip for it though right? I am thinking of buying one for a safari trip. I currently have an A7R3 which is good enough, but I am thinking I want 1 camera attached to a big prime, and the other on my 100-400. I think with a grip, this will work fine for a big prime, but after the trip it gives me a compact option.

[@powdermuaythai]

considering this one; bought a a7r5 recently but it had a dead pixel on the sensor right out of the box. they replaced it & the replacement also had one... now looking for something different lol

[@nicedward7544]

I love the side placed evf. Why oh why couldn't they make this with 2 card slots

[@seanmatias1360]

I love my A7CR.

[@raybecerra2738]

I just got one. I’ll use it as a A camera. My a73 is no a B camera 🥴

[@ajasont]

Do you miss the autofocus joystick? I use that all the time on my larger bodies, and feel like it would be hard to shift to and trust the touchscreen.

[@relaxsounds6970]

I have the a7cii and i dont miss the joystick, i use the real time tracking focus and recompose, it detect near eye and faces, and use "af on" button with button recall option with Wide focus área because eye autofocus on "af on" only focus when detecta there is a eye, not a back or a object

[@dwightlooi]

You forgot one thing. The OFFSET EVF is so much better than the centrally placed one on the A7RV or any of the full size A7s. Why? Because your nose is in free space instead of being pressed against the LCD unless you twist you head and look through the corner of your eye.!

[@TopshelfJunior]

I swear...last night at like 2am on Amazon...there was a glitch in the A7CR pricing.. It was $2200 !!! I was SO close to doing it lol. And no, it wasn't like new.. and no, it wasn't renewed.. It was brand new, for the black version.. while the silver version was $2900. I couldn't believe it, then I fell asleep lol. Woke up this AM and it was fixed lol.

[@ditchauto]

Dang. I would have bought a second.

[@AndrewSacoman]

I saw it as well and bought it! Sold and shipped by Amazon, brand new in black. Same price as the A7Cii

[@TopshelfJunior]

@@AndrewSacoman Fire !!! I was asking myself the next day if I was seeing things or if I dreamt it lol, I knew I saw it ! lol.

[@compaadres88]

I use small lens

[@Pharesm]

How does it do, when you want to use apsc lenses for a really small setup for hiking and such?

[@kevinkillsit]

It's great, in APSC you can get it 26MP still. I'm going to pair my A7CR with a 20mm Viltrox and a 40mm G F2.5

[@Pharesm]

@@kevinkillsit I keep asking Viltrox to make a small 24mm equivalent, for daylight. Their 16mm is just too big. I consider 24mm super important ...mostly for daytime.

[@07SATS]

I still have a Sony A7CR along with Leica Q3 along with Fuji X-T5 and X100v. The serious issue I have with A7CR is skin tones come out of JPEG and they are subpar compared to Leica and Fuji. If you tell me how I can achieve great in camera skin tones for JPEG, you Won the battle. Please help me here. I am still struggling and not happy with A7CR because of the in-camera JPEG skin tone colors.

[@ditchauto]

You can adjust this in camera profiles which affect jpg images.

[@07SATS]

@@ditchauto Thanks for the reply, tried and it doesn’t work. If you have any profiles created you can post in next video on how to get correct skin tone! You will get millions of views for sure as most of the people are struggling with it!!!!!

[@ajnajai]

Check out Sony film simulations. There are some great ones

[@stkuj]

I like Standard/Neutral, but you may try Portrait Creative looks. Set AWB to Priority White. If it's still not to your liking, then set WB manually and tweak Creative Look Style. Personally, I have no issues with skin tones on my A7RV (in fact, these are the best skin tones and color science ever from Sony).

[@montalvojr]

Who holds a camera with one hand? You always have one hand on the lens and the other on the grip but should eliminate any imbalance. Come on man.....