Sony Alpha 7

Sony ILCE-7

Type	Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
Sensor	35.8 x 23.9mm Exmor full-frame HD CMOS Sensor
Maximum resolution	6000 x 4000 (3:2) (24 megapixels)[1]
Lens	Sony E-mount
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/8000 - 30 sec, BULB
Exposure metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Focus modes	Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View
Continuous shooting	5 frame/s
Viewfinder	Built-in 2.4 million dots OLED Electronic viewfinder
ASA/ISO range	Auto, 100-25600
Rear LCD monitor	3.0 in (76 mm) Tilting XtraFine LCD, 1,230,000 pixels
Storage	Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC
Battery	NP-FW50, InfoLITHIUM, 7.2 V, 1080 mAh, 7.7 Wh, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions	127 x 94 x 48 mm
Weight	Approx. 474 g (16.7 oz) (camera body, card and battery)

The Sony ILCE-7 and ILCE-7R (α7/α7R) are two closely related digital cameras announced 16 October 2013.^[2] They are Sony’s first full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and share the E-mount with the company’s smaller sensor NEX series. They are targeted at experienced users, enthusiasts and professionals.^[3]

Sony's new model naming prefix strives to unify model names. “ILC” indicates Interchangeable Lens Camera followed by an indicator of A-mount “A” or E-mount “E”^[4]

The products are more commonly known as the α7 and α7R. Pre-annoncement rumours speculated that the new camera would be named Sony NEX-9.^[5]

Although the α7 and α7R use full frame sensors and have have a DSLR-shaped design, their sizes and weights are less than Olympus OM-D E-M1 with its small micro four thirds sensor and can also be compared with the lightest Fullframe DSLR.^[6] Compared to the smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR Canon EOS 100D, the α7 is 67 grams heavier and a bit larger, but the thickness is only two thirds of Canon's.^[7] The α7 price is significant lower than a comparative Fullframe DSLR price, but still higher than that of a low or mid-end compact camera price.^[8] Compared to the Nikon D800E, the weight of Sony α7R is only about a half and the price is about two-thirds, a maximum image quality in a compact body, but lacks of built-in stabilization, slower Single AF and Continuous AF, and has no built-in flash.^[9]

Variations

There are two different types of cameras available in the α7-series. They are the α7 & α7R.

The "R" model is the "resolution" version of the series, with a new, higher-density sensor design, and priced $600 more than the α7 at launch, but has no optical low-pass filter as the sibling has. However, the α7R does not include the faster hybrid auto-focus system found on the lower-resolution model.

Model differences

α7R

• 36.4 megapixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor.
• No optical low-pass filter.
• 4 fps max speed.
• 25 point for Contrast-Detection AF

α7

• 24.3 megapixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor.
• Optical low-pass filter.
• 5 fps max speed.
• Fast Hybrid autofocus system (Phase Detection AF + Contrast-Detection AF) with 117 points

Features (universal for α7-series)

• Exmor APS HD CMOS full frame sensor (With different megapixels depending on camera version)
• TruBlack XtraFine LCD screen (3"/ 7,5 cm) with 921.6K dots resolution with tilt functionality.
• 1.3 cm (0.5inch) Electronic Viewfinder.
• 1200-zone evaluative light metering.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.
• LED-auto focus illuminator.
• Multi Interface Shoe.
• 9 customizable buttons and 45 assignable functions.

Reception

The cameras received positive reception from the critics. DxOMark crowned the α7R as the highest full frame with sensor quality by a mirrorless camera with the score of 95 and has same score with Nikon D800, but one point behind of Nikon D800E,^[10] while the sibling has score of 90 and better than Nikon Df, Nikon D4 professional DSLR camera and Sony SLT-A99.^[11] The Verge rated the cameras 8.3 out of 10 commenting that "It might be a few years before we realize it, but when the DSLR is relegated to a niche status among specialty photographers and full-frame mirrorless cameras dominate the market, we’ll have the α7s to thank as the cameras that started it all."^[12] EPhotozine which rated the α7 rated 5 stars, meanwhile praised the α7's price for being "the cheapest full-frame digital cameras currently available" while being lighter and smaller than comparable cameras.^[13] It awarded the α7 as the "Camera of the Year."^[14] The α7R was awarded by Imaging Resource as the "Camera of the Year".^[15]

References