It is indeed ten years since Sony launched the original Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R, and since then we’ve seen an avalanche of new A7 models and spin-offs. From being a pioneer in mirrorless camera development, Sony has gone on to dominate the full frame mirrorless camera market – though Canon, Nikon and Panasonic might have something to say about that.
I haven’t tested every single Sony Alpha 7, but I have used most of them, including the Sony A7R II, which I owned for some time, the A7 III, A7 IV, A7R III, A7R IV and A7R V, all of which I’ve reviewed for Digital Camera world. I’ve not spent much time with the A7S series cameras as these are very video-specific and that constitutes only a part of my work.
There’s also the spin-off Sony A9 and A9 II sports/action cameras (I’ve used the original A9) and the massively powerful (and expensive) Sony A1. Given the latest AI processor and subject recognition tech being added now to the A7 series, though, I do wonder if the A9 and A1 will continue.
And then there’s the new Sony A7C II and A7CR, replacements for the original Sony A7C. Sony is clearly keen to develop this more compact and boxy ‘rangefinder’ style design, but I’m not a fan. I don’t think they’re nice to hold or to use, and once you fit any of Sony’s bigger or better lenses, they lose any small size advantage they once had.
The fact is, I’ve sold off my Sony kit (A6000, A7R II and various zooms and primes). It’s not because it doesn’t do the job – it’s very effective – but because, well, I don’t much like using Sony cameras. I don’t think they’re quite big enough for the lenses, and I find them quite charmless and dull.
Currently I’m using Canon kit, which I’m finding better in some respects and worse in others. I may also have to try Nikon Z – I spent some years writing for Nikon magazine N-Photo back in the DSLR days. Maybe one day I can find a full frame mirrorless brand I can stick with!
But in the meantime, happy birthday, Sony Alpha 7! You may not be my dream camera after all, but you’ve certainly changed the whole full frame camera market.