July 21, 2022

Fullframe Mirrorless Cameras - Sony and Canon

To be complete, we probably should look at Nikon and Fuji also. We won't. This is simply because I am already using Sony mirrorless in the APS_C format. Also I have several Canon fullframe DSLR cameras, and more importantly a number of excellent Canon lenses.

People often say (and they are very much right) that it is more important to select your lenses (or lens system) than the camera. You will end up changing bodies several times, but you will keep your investment in lenses long term. When I started, this seemed absurd, but now I can say it is absolutely true.

My investment in APS-C format Sony lenses is not extensive and has no relevance whatsoever to my possible choice of a full frame Sony body. My involvement with Sony mirrorless just gives some emotional momentum towards considering a full frame Sony mirrorless body. I have friends with full frame Sony mirrorless, and understanding the Sony lineup somewhat, helps me to put Canon cameras in perspective.

A7 versus A7R

Why do we have A7 and A7R? As near as I can tell the "R" cameras are "more gooder" and go better. At least that is what the official Sony literature says.

Sony A7R IVa

This is the monster with a 61 megapixel sensor. The "a" refers to an upgrade that improved the rear screen resolution. Currently $3500 at BH photo, $3000 on Amazon. 567 focus points. In body image stabilization. 5.76m pixel EVF. 3 inch 2.4m pixel rear screen. No flash (I always consider this a good sign).
This would seem to be the current Sony "flagship".

Sony A7R IIIa

This camera is $2800 with 42 megapixels. 399 focus points In body image stabilization. 3.69m pixel EVF. 3 inch 2.4m pixel rear screen No flash

Sony A7 II and III

The A7 II is $1400 with 24 megapixels and image stabilization. 117/25 focus points. 2.36m pixel EVG, 3 inch 1.2m pixel rear screen.
The A7 III is $2000 with 24 megapixels and image stabilization. 693/425 focus points. 2.36m pixel EVF. 3 inch 0.922m pixel rear screen.

Despite the same pixel count, the III has an updated and better sensor, what they call a "back illuminated BSI" sensor. It looks like neither of these have in camera flash, ticking that all important box. So for the extra money, the III gets you a better sensor and much better autofocus.

Canon mirrorless cameras

I am not trying to give an in depth review of these cameras, but just get myself oriented in the world of full frame mirrorless bodies so I can read some reviews and understand what the "field" looks like.

Canon was late to the mirrorless party, with Sony leading the charge, but it is clear now that Canon is jumping on the mirrorless train with wild abandon.

I have a strong bias towards a Canon body by virtue of owning several high quality EF mount lenses. Canon offers a relatively inexpensive RP to EF adapter ($99) and clearly expects people to be doing what I intend to do, preserving their investment in Canon lenses and sticking with the Canon system.

Just not having to purchase the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM lens is $2300 I don't have to spend if I continue to use my Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L lens. That is nothing to sneeze at and is just one of several lenses.

One thing I absolutely want from a Canon mirrorless body is image stabilization. None of my lenses have it and it would be a great addition. Also my current DSLR is the 5D mark II with 24 megapixels. It would be attractive to get a mirrorless body with a denser sensor.

I have no interest in video and am wary of these "vlogger" oriented cameras for what I like to do. Any video features I get are nice "bonuses" to know about and have in case my interests shift someday, but in no way drive my decision making.

Canon R

$1800, 30 megapixels, 5655 focus points. It has image stabilization, but apparently only works with video. This makes this camera a loser from my perspective and we move on.

Canon RP

$1000, 26 megapixels. Once again the image stabilization is "video only". We continue on wondering what is up with image stabilization that only works for video.

Canon R6

$2500, 20 megapixels. This is a weird camera with a low pixel count and optimized for low light performance (and cost). You actually only get one stop (ISO 102400 versus 51200). This makes no sense to me, but maybe it meets some peoples needs. You do get full 5 axis image stabilization and 1053 focus points. The EVF has 3.69m pixels, which is nice. Rear screen is 3 inch with 1.62m pixels and is a touch screen.

Canon R5

$3900, 45 megapixels. You get full 5 axis image stabilization and 1053 focus points. The EVF has 5.76m pixels, which is great. Rear screen is 3.2 inch with 2.1m pixels and is a touch screen. This looks like the winner, if you have $4000 to spare.

Canon R5 versus Sony A7R IV

One key point in the above review is the superior weather sealing of the Canon body, as well as the way they manage the shutter to avoid sensor dust. These are practical details that many reviews overlook.

The R5 uses the touch screen for menus and almost everything.

The Strong point of the Sony A7 cameras is their autofocus, and the ability of the cameras to shoot fast bursts and such. Like video, these are not things I care a lot about. Yet most sports photographers are still using Canon. There are differences in layout and ergonomics, which generally boil down to individual preference.

A complaint about the R5 is that the low light (high iso) noise performance is not as good as Canon claims it is. They hide it by doing noise reduction in the camera (doing what people think is a good job). But the claim is that this is "baked into" the RAW file.

Some people don't want more than 45 megapixels.

I find this comment interesting:

I am a former Canon user but switched when I got tired of waiting for Canon to make a meaningful update to the 5D2. I shoot a Sony a9 and a7RIV. In my opinion, the Canon R5 is clearly a better all around camera than the a7RIV whereas the a7RIV is a slightly to moderately better landscape camera than the R5, and the a9 is a moderately better sports camera than the R5. Of course, the Sony A7SIII is a clearly better video camera than the Canon R5.
And smart people point out it is all about lenses; bodies come and go.

Canon R3

$6000, 24 megapixels This is their flagship camera with a pro body like the "1D series" DSLR cameras. You get full 5 axis image stabilization and 4779 focus points. The EVF has 5.76m pixels, which is quite something. Rear screen is 3.2 inch with 4.a5m pixels and is a touch screen. It is the only camera offered using their DIGIC X processor and has a very fast frame rate (maybe great for sports shooters).

Sony A7R V

This is now "expected" in late October of 2022 (October 26 according to some sources). One expectation is the ability to shoot 8K video -- which matters not to me. The EVF may be upgraded to 9.44 M dots (now in the A7S III). Whether it will stick with the 61 megapixel sensor is unknown.

Conclusion

It looks like the Canon R5 would be the camera for me. The build quality is better for the R5; it uses magnesium alloy in places where the R6 uses polycarbonate.

A suggestion is that the R5 is like the 5D and the R6 is like the 6D, which is helpful if you know those DSLR cameras.

An interesting note I read that puts the "mere" 20 megapixel resolution of the R6 in perspective is that in 2002, Canon released the full frame 1Ds camera with 11.1 megapixels (and a price tag of $8000). This was considered to be the first time a digital camera had surpassed the resolving power of 35mm Kodachrome film.


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Tom's Digital Photography Info / [email protected]