Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - Alpha a7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) - Black
Average customer rating
4.7
(25 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 25 reviews
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Star
0
95%of customers recommend this product.
(
21 out of
22)
Customer Reviews for Sony - Alpha a7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) - Black
Customer Rating
5
Makes photography fun again!
on September 14, 2014
Posted by: rickytog
Like the other reviewer, I started my SLR journey in 1976 with a Minolta SRT-101. I used that camera for almost 15 years. It was an extension of my world, that viewfinder was my world!
With journeys into Nikon territory (N6006, and even a P&S Coolpix), and various iPhone models I never got the same feeling as I did from my old SRT-101. That pure joy of "seeing", and making "the shot".
Fast-forward to 2014 and the Sony A7... the joy is back! From full manual to anything else, this camera makes me appreciate the pure image again. It does have a lot of tech, but it's not the focus of what you're doing. And the camera even feels like the SRT in my hands. I love what this camera does for me! And the images are just beautiful.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
The Digital Nikon FE I Always Wanted
on October 22, 2014
Posted by: Jefenator
The Nikon FE was a triumph of simplicity and rugged durability from the manual 35mm film SLR days. I used to travel with one and a few lenses. Since going digital in 2001 I've been wanting to recapture that more involved, contemplative shooting experience, but was repeatedly thwarted. (The digital SLRs are not the same thing at all...)
The Sony A7 is the first digital camera that allows me to work with the old manual lenses I like, uncropped and in a reasonably compact and affordable form. More importantly, it is extremely friendly for manual focus. Much friendlier than most DSLRs and usually quite a bit better even than the old manual film bodies.
This product has no competition at the moment, except of course the more specialized 7r and 7s models. The plain old A7 is a good all-purpose choice that is easiest on the budget.
I really like the control layout and build quality. Some yearn for the full retro experience but, much as I admire and crave that, I think Sony's approach makes the most sense for the digital age. You don't get the simple shutter dial with an "A" setting but you do get a mode dial that lets you change entire groups of settings before you even power up the camera.
Image quality is superb. Even with a cheap old manual lens, I can usually get closer to a true 24 megapixel capture than I ever could with my APS-C camera with the best lenses. I find I really appreciate and use the extra low light and shallow focus capabilities. The colors seem more vivid and natural as well. This format definitely feels like "home" to me now.
This camera may not be for everyone, but for the more hand-crafted approach, I can't imagine a better way to shoot.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: om2018
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
I am an expedition leader and this camera follow me around the planet from the Baja desert, patagonia rain forest and Scandinavian winter, this camera performs well at -30c
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Product!
on March 23, 2021
Posted by: BroScuffed
Gender:Male
Great product and I would definitly recommend! Very high quality and good for using as a webcam when recording games or streaming (with the elgato camlink). Very portable and I have never had a problem with it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
Superb images, but with compromises
on September 27, 2014
Posted by: dhaImages
The images produced by the Alpha 7 are simply superb. I have been shooting with the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 and the kit lens (28-70mm)--but mostly the Zeiss. Paired with the Zeiss, the photos are simply unsurpassed (I also have Canon 5dii). The kit lens is adequate for casual photos, cityscapes, and very convenient but there is a significant difference between the Zeiss and the kit zoom (as would be expected when comparing any zoom to a fixed focal length). The camera is also easy to work with, having multiple dials permitting manual control and customization without accessing menus. I greatly enjoy shooting with it and the results have been excellent.
There are some negative aspects to this camera.
1) The battery life is truly abysmal. I have no idea what it is rated for, but after three hours and maybe 120 shots in a European city I would find my battery near zero. I could easily use three batteries in a single day without shooting any video. In order to accommodate this when traveling, it is essential to have at least two chargers with you in order to be ready for the next day. Sony should remedy this by sending everyone who bought the camera an additional battery and an external charger, because the battery performance is way below what it should be. I also shoot portraiture professionally; I would never think to use the Sony for this simply because I couldn't make it through a single session on one battery, which is standard on my Canon.
2) The system moves back and forth between the EVF and the back screen when you lift the camera to your face. But the system is not smart enough. In a city or a museum, I would frequently want to shoot at waist level to stabilize the camera at the end of the strap. This permits you to take advantage of the back screen articulated. However, if the camera is within 8 or 9 inches of your body, the screen won't come on because it thinks you are raising the camera to use the eye-piece. This is very frustrating. Not sure how they missed that.
3) In complex lighting situations the meter has a tendency to overexpose. This is counteracted by adjusting the exposure compensation which is at one's finger tip, but it requires constant adjusting for relatively similar situations. In some of my samples, the images were shot well below what the meter said was a good exposure. In effect, I stopped trusting the meter and habitually shot 1/3 or even 2/3 below the center point on the meter. When touring, I like to shoot Aperture Priority, but because of the need to pay such close attention to exposure, I might as well have had it on manual. What this means is that more casual snap-shooters should avoid this camera because it requires that you understand what you are doing to take full advantage of the cameras capabilities.
These three issues are frustrating in their own right and they require adjustments by the photographer. Except for the battery, they can be accommodated. Overall, I very much enjoy shooting with the camera. I like the relatively small size of the body and lenses (compared to my DSLR) and the image quality, when appropriately exposed, is first rate.When traveling I leave my DSLR home and carry the A7 and a NEX-7 body. The images on both are of the highest quality. I have blown up A7 images to full poster size; they are gorgeous. And I regularly print at 18x12 in my studio--images are beautiful. I shoot exclusively in RAW so I cannot say anything about in-camera JPG. This is a serious camera for people who know what they are doing, so those who rely upon JPG may want a simpler tool anyway.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
SRT 101
on April 15, 2014
Posted by: graphite
I fell in love with photography using an all manual Minolta SRT 101. I really enjoyed the direct creative control of that instrument. I never enjoyed dslr photography as much. So when I first learned how to adapt vintage glass to the modern mirror less camera I was overjoyed. I went out & bought a Sony Nex 5n (because of the price) & then sold that for a Fuji X e1 (for the view finder & retro style) I was disappointed with both. Regardless of image quality crop factor had always separated the image I got from the one I saw in my head. Crop factor always caused me to have to take a few extra steps back in order to frame the shot & compromise the shallow depth of field. With the a7 & my vintage lenses, all fast primes, I get exactly what I envision. The controls of the a7 make it very easy to adjust shutter speed & iso quickly. The digital view finder is bright & clear with no jitter or lag. Focus peaking & focus magnification makes manual focus fun & easy. The image quality of the raw files require very little post production. They write fast to the memory card. They open in light room looking like film, with wide dynamic range & lots of head room for creativity if you choose to play with saturation & contrast. Only at high ISO do they require a small amount of color noise reduction & highlight recovery. This camera meets all of my expectations. It is as much of a joy as my SRT 101.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Sony A7 - a pleasure to use
on October 26, 2014
Posted by: DMax
I bought the A7 after using a Nex 5N and Nex 6 - both of which I loved and still use regularly. However, I wanted FF as well, hence the A7 purchase. I have never regretted it and love it. The menu systems have improved with each iteration, and I find the one in the A7 easy to set/customise and use.
I have one FF AF lens for now, and the rest are all MF - everything from OM's, to Leica Ms, LTMs and Rs, as well as Nikon and Canon FD (in other words too many).
For me IQ is especially good with the result that I have sold most of my DSLR kit and will be selling more in the future.
Highly recommend the A7, certainly for anyone with legacy lenses, and for those wishing for an excellent digital mirrorless.
I have one FF AF lens for now, and the rest are all MF - everything from OM's, to Leica Ms, LTMs and Rs, as well as Nikon and Canon FD (in other words too many).
For me IQ is especially good with the result that I have sold most of my DSLR kit and will be selling more in the future.
Highly recommend the A7, certainly for anyone with legacy lenses, and for those wishing for an excellent digital mirrorless.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Great little full frame camera
on December 8, 2013
Posted by: y8rdoc
What a fun camera. Very responsive and great images. Easy to handle and switch between modes. Nice and light but packs a big punch.
My only disappointment was Lightroom/photoshop not recognizing RAW photos. Hopefully they will update their plug-ins soon. Also couldn't register as Sony website has not been updated to recognize the product number. The price you pay for being on the cutting edge! Overall just love it!
My only disappointment was Lightroom/photoshop not recognizing RAW photos. Hopefully they will update their plug-ins soon. Also couldn't register as Sony website has not been updated to recognize the product number. The price you pay for being on the cutting edge! Overall just love it!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com