Anytime I see a new Sony camera, I come to Mark's channel for the photography review first. I was worried that he was on his motorcycle tour in the US, but was so happy to see that he had the review on the channel. I believe Mark's reviews are the most detailed ones in regards to how to correctly set the camera for using all the features. Way to go, Mark!
I had to hit the ground running with this camera review. The camera was waiting for me as soon as I arrived back home - so I handed the RX-30 back and opened the RV box. Ideally I would have liked another week with the camera (too many new features to test in a short amount of time), but given I had to review the RIV in three days and the A1 in four days I can't complain. Sony want the RV back today so this of course delays the production of my 500-page eBook. I'll be jumping up and down to get the camera back as soon as possible.
Agreed. Mark truly knows his stuff. I've been a long time Sony user since the DSLR days, but Mark's videos still taught me a lot about the cameras that I own and understand.
I've got an old A5100 with some sigma lens ( 19mm and 30mm) and it has done me great service over the years, though rather based up now. Quite frankly I am amazed at the tech in this camera in comparison, but not only that your expertise in getting all that tech out of it both in the camera, your eye for detail and the software. The problem is that I just use it for food photography, the food is the passion and I do "enough" to make the photos make it look even better ( or perhaps less worse would be more apt ! ). I like bikes as wdell and so a comparison is that this camera is like a motogp bike and you are one of the riders, I am like the guy who wobbles around roundabouts in the rain hoping the front end does not slide and no tankslappers please. This camera would be wasted on me I have come to realise. Keep up the good work.
Yours is always the definitive review for Sony. Thanks. My first question is, “Does focus breathing compensation work with focus bracketing?” My second question is “Did Sony fix the ‘star eater’ filtering issue, or give us a way to disable filtering?
I experienced focus breathing with my 50mm Macro lens in my Focus Stacking test so had to rely on Photoshop's Auto-Align feature to overcome the differences found in the individual files. The Focus breathing Compensation lens correction option in the menus only appears when you change from shooting stills to shooting movies. I was not able to incorporate an Astro test in the short time I was allowed with the pre-production model. I haven't heard many people complaining about this issue for a couple of years now. I didn't notice it when testing the FE 14mm F1.8 GM but I am not a specialist Astro shooter.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks. Focus compensation with focus bracketing seems like an obvious, useful, and easy to implement feature. My experience is that neither Photoshop, nor Helicon do a great job of warping images with focus breathing distortion for focus stacking. Could just be my lack of skill. ;)
I’m debating between the a1 and 7rv. Considering I’m a college student I much rather go for the cheaper option. But can anyone tell me why the a1 is more than the 7rv even though the a1 is much older? This is the most money I’ve spent on gear and want to make sure I make the right decision
I don't like the speed of AF on any of the Macro lenses, which is why I prefer to use a 100-400 GM which has a really good close focusing distance. If you put on the 1.4x teleconverter you get even more magnification while retaining fast AF. I prefer this workflow so much I sold my 90mm Macro lens.
Great review, do you know if it's possible to zoom in to check focus while using full time dmf? On the a7riv I can press a button to zoom in and have a little crosshair in dmf, but it's not continuous focus, it'd be cool if we could have that little zoomed crosshair and AFC at the same time.
Thanks, very informative video. Can I ask, does the camera have a pre-capture type function. Perfect for wildlife and motorsports. If not do you know if Sony would or could add this feature in further firmware updates? - thanks
I’ll carry on testing for a 1-year period when I get my own unit and will constantly update my eBook and advice on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel
Great video, thanks a lot! But what about rolling shutter in video ?8k , but main 4k?Because f.e. A7 IV has bad 26.5 ms,worse than my old A7R II -16ms in FF,ufufuf...
Hi Mark, thanks for the very detailed review! Do you know how the electronic (silent) shutter performs for moving subjects? This camera seems almost perfect for wildlife photography, and silent shutter is a very important feature when photographing shy animals. I know that it won't have the sensor readout speed of the A1 or A9, but is it adequate for moderately fast moving subjects like a running fox, for example?
I personally would not use the electronic shutter for subjects moving quickly- I would purchase the A1 if you need distortion-free silent shooting - it was what it was designed for.
These cameras have come a long way in the last four years but image quality has not changed that much. It is more to do with additional features, camera operation, menus and AF performance.
Don’t worry u won’t be selling me this camera, as amazing as it is. For sports and wildlife I prefer starting with an APCs in the first place not only is it much more affordable but something like the Fuji XH2 or even XH2S coupled with one if there tele zooms or there 200mm f2 add 1.4x or a 2x take your pic. U can get just as stunning 40mpx or 26 mpx images depending on which body u go with. Also the Canon R7 now has 32mpx unfortunately the lenses are still lacking though.
Let’s not forget Sony has the best focus systems at the moment - so switching systems will ultimately lower your hit rate for capturing sharp images. But if that’s not important the other systems will suffice
@@AlphaCreativeSkills maybe, but my priority is skin tones and colour science, Fuji focus system delivers more then enough sharp images to work with, with any modern camera these days the AF systems are amazing.
Mark , your videos cost me a lot of money , well spent anyway.....I saw a comment from a user that returned this camera because, in his assessment, fine tuning the eye AF was not as straight forward as he has hooped to be to accomplish what he had seen advertised in terms of AF accuracy, another pro that specializes in Birds in Flght claims that the AF works really well within a 40 yard distance, but, beyond that it struggles, I would be really interested to hear about your own experience about these two use cases . I currently have the original A7RIV and used mostly at sports events (soccer, baseball), and my keeper rate is less than 70% (with the 100-400 GM), my motivation to replace it by the RV would be an improved AF performance and the options to shoot RAW at medium and low settings (the full frame raw files are huge !!!)
My conclusion at the end of this video suggests the A1 is the best choice for sports/action & birds in flight and the A7RV for partly obscured/camouflaged wildlife. I offer extended support via my Alpha support channel - Patreon.com/markgaler
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Mark, you are right, I missed the last part of your video, my bad. I was assuming that since you were showing examples of fast moving motorcycles, you were also endorsing A7RV abilities to do sports. I am still looking into RV as a potential photo/video cam, and came across a post from PM-R-TV that is using Tracking On as a good means to configure and use his RV for sports (basketball in the sample he shows), for video, have tried this option ? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4iFC9BCVb1Y.html
I was waiting for your reviews, and was excelent like always, let me ask you something mark… as a nature and wildlife photographer and filmmaker, having the fx30 and the riv, do you thing I need to upgrade my riv to the rv or just go for the a1? I find myself i need those 4k120 when I’m filming wildlife, so the 4k120 on the a1 is a real dealbreaker for me (I know I have the fx30 too but can’t compare both cameras in this aspect..) and another thing, the do you know which is the shutter life count on the a1? Thank you in advice
The shutter count on the A1 will most likely be much higher as the A1 rarely uses its mechanical shutter. It shouldn't be an issue with either camera, however, as the R models get a premium build shutter mechanism. Advantages so the RV for wildlife is that you can initiate tracking when using the finder and it is most likely to track the animal more reliably in difficult conditions where the new AI subject detection is needed (animal partly obscured by obstacles and when it does not have it's head turned towards the camera.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you for your answer, very clear as always. do you think these new rv features will come in an update for the a1? taking into account that they share the same processors I guess that should not be an impediment for sony taking into account that other brands like nikon are putting all their features in their best models like the z9, I think sony would have to think a little more about the user and do this kind of thing with their flagship models
I am upset with Sony for not sharing an image of the separate AI processor that is inside the A7RV processor. This would indicate that it cannot be managed by the Bionz XR processor alone. The A7RV, A1 and A7SIII are all flagship models. The problem with the A1 as a flagship camera is that it is nearing the end of its 2-year product cycle. The Z9 only exists because Sony were kind enough to share their stacked sensor with Nikon - which surprised me a little as Nikon spent more than a year bagging Mirrorless technologies. They will forever have to go cap-in-hand to Sony - hoping that Sony will share its sensor technology in order to survive as an imaging company - a company that does not make imaging sensors.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I completely agree with you, I was aware that Nikon has the sensors it has thanks to Sony, I think that with what you are telling me it is not the time to think about the A1, a pity because as a wildlife photographer I really need those 4k120 and maybe sometimes those 30fps, i will have to choose to use my fx30 for slow shots and give the rv some time to see if my riv is worth the change or just wait for some new flagship model from sony, which really annoys me a bit since they could have thought of this before releasing the a1 without taking into account future updates, thanks for your response again and I'm always looking forward to your reviews, the only sony ambassador who really knows what he's doing
Hi on the a7rv i have set custom mode in 1 but can't set a manual white balance states not available in memory recall mode i am sure it was working before what can i do please
You cannot register a custom white balance in a Memory. Modify a Memory Preset such as Kelvin and then register that. I offer personal guidance on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel
Just shot a wedding with this camera and out of the clear blue in the middle the shutter mode switched to "DRO LO" bracket. Never heard of it. Couldn't figure out why I was suddenly getting 3 of everything. Is there anyway to lock down or block out portions of the menu so it doesn't get changed in the middle of an event?
You can temporarily lock the dials and buttons with a long press to the Fn button )once the function has been turned on). You will have inadvertently pressed the left button on the rear control wheel and rotated the dial to move to the bracket feature. I have a separate video tutorial for this function on my channel. You may like to consider downloading my 600-page eBook for your camera from my support channel. Patreon.com/markgaler
Another question. I've a Mac (MacAir M1) and the RAW files aren't supported in the latest version of Lightroom (and Adobe DNG converter). Had to process them in Luminar and could process them in Photoshop for stacking. Do you have another approach ? Thank you for any help.
The bikes in the video are moving much much faster than birds - just use the mechanical shutter when shooting stills or an A1 if you want to use an electronic shutter
@@AlphaCreativeSkills JUST, HA! If I could afford it, the A1 & 600 f4 & 400 f2.8 & possibly the 100-400GM would be in my arsenal a long time ago. Very rarely do I not crop in on wildlife. Thinking of moving over to Sony & until now, it was between the A7R4 & A7-4. Thank you for the reply.
Same sensor from r4 made me not to buy this. I am landscape photographer so my a7r4 will do the job for me for another 5-7 years. I had really big expectation from r5 but it did not nail.
I haven't noticed this one go down for several months: www.markgaler.com Only time this year was when they moved it to new servers. Most of my support, however, is now offered via Patreon.com/markgaler
So for the pixel-shift feature, does moving clouds still produce artifacts on the a7rV? I was a bit confused with the review where you said Sony now allows slight movement but then a few seconds later state that for some landscape shots it produces artifacts but is the sample shot that you showed of the playground apply to the a7RV? I thought one of the benefits of the a7rV is it will now detect movement and eliminate any potential artifacts.
Sony imply things can move but I I don't think the PSMS is immune from artefacts when this occurs - which is why I showcase my solution to fixing this problem when it does occur. Not sure if the other reviewers were faced with having to test this camera with a limited time frame, and at short notice, but this is what I was faced with. This is why I prepare 500-page eBook and work with a camera for 6-months or more, so I am completely ready to advise my patrons on my Patreon support channel.
Love the final comparison with the A1. I am upgrading from the A6600 and have long considered the A1 my only option, as the A7 IV doesn't offer the resolution I was hoping to have. (I wanted a full-frame camera with a crop mode comparable to what I currently get with the A6600.) But when I heard the A7R V was coming out I thought it might get me almost everything I'd get with the A1 for a much lower price. It would be sweet to have the stacked sensor and the burst rate, but the AI autofocus is simply amazing. This will be my next camera.
Sony pay a small retainer to Ambassadors to hashtag the images they post to social media. They do not pay Ambassadors to make eBooks, support videos, video reviews, respond to comments on social media or operate a Sony Alpha support channel < Patreon.com/markgaler >. Of the 400+ other Ambassadors you don't see many engaging with the Alpha community - because there is no obligation for them to do it?
Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 600-page camera-specific eBooks + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars + cameras settings files + access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler Ultra HD Album of images: flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcDit Purchase Camera from B&H Photo: bhpho.to/3SDEoI6
Hi Mark, thanks for this great video! Do you know what the difference between the RAW Lossloss L and Compressed RAW is? I don't think I completely understood the slide you showed with the different settings. Thanks.
Compressed Raw uses a lossy compression in a similar way that the JPEG format uses lossy compression (except Sonys Raw compression is much higher quality and big depth). Lossless compression uses a compression algorithm that loses no image quality, in a similar fashion to Adobe’s lossless DNG raw compression.
The alleyway scene is doubly impressive because the camera was working against a bunch of wall art that is very distracting and may even come across as transient faces to a less well trained learning model.
I'm not in the Sony system, nor do I need another camera, but Mark's overview of the new A7RV is so good, and the promise of his upcoming e-book so tantalizing, that I'm finding myself considering this new camera. Thank you Mark, your videos and photography are inspiring.
Sir, how could one become a Sony Alpha Ambassador ?.. ‘Any info would be very much appreciated. ‘Been shooting with Sony for 6 years now & I would like to take my passion, my knowledge of their products a step further if I may..
I was approached by Sony because I was a regular keynote speaker at photo conferences, had written 30 books for an International publisher and was contributing regularly to several magazines (where I frequently said nice things about Sony’s innovative camera designs). More recent (younger) influencers are often approached because they have over 100,000 followers or subscribers.
Great Review 👍🏻 I hope the focus bracketing will although came to A1 with Firmware Update. It is the only function that I am missing. I hope the will support their flagship well.
Hi Mark, still waiting for a7rV pre settings like you did for a7rlll. I wonder if there be any for a7rV 1. Hand held lanscape, 2. Tripod mount lanscape, 3. Action, 4. Street photography. I am a member on your Web site (patrian) Thank you so much. Hal.
The best review by far of the SonyA7R5 that I picked up yesterday. The information from Mark will allow me to get to grips with the camera and get the best out the new menu system and establish my workflow. Im upgrading from a SonyA7R3.
HI. I too have a A7R2 and A7R3....The A7R5 is a bit of a leap given its newer and improved menu system. It's not going to make you a better photographer but it might in certain situations, wildlife and especially birds in flight, make you a more effective one due to the vastly improved auto focus and perceived reach. Given that almost every bird photograph I take is cropped in post the A7R5 with its 61MP sensor allows you to shoot 26MP images in APSC mode. The advantages are smaller file sizes, less cropping in post and complete auto focus coverage. I shoot with the Sony 200-600 often with a 1.4 extender. All this gives me an 'effective' 1200 ish lens outputting detailed 26MP images. @@vikesbenbetter
As someone who just bought an A7RIV, I don't see myself upgrading anytime soon, but this is an intriguing camera. I can only hope that Sony would apply a few of these smaller quality of life updates to the A7RIV, like Small and Medium Raw sizes, the internal BULB function, and the shutter closing at power off. That would be fantastic, but I guess I won't hold my breath.
2019 was a very good year for firmware updates - let's hope Sony update as many cameras that can take some of these new features. The new Subject detection, however, requires its own AI Processor so we won't be seeing this appear on older cameras.
A7R4 hasn't had a firmware update for 2 years and I doubt Sony will be adding new features to it. As a current A7R4 user, the main things that'll make me want to upgrade to A7R5 are the stunning viewfinder that you'll never forget after trying out, the IR sensor for more accurate AWB, and the vastly improved UI responsiveness that comes with the XR processor. The downsides are the increased weight (665g -> 723g) and reduced battery life (530 -> 440 shots with viewfinder), which Mark didn't mention in the video.
I mainly use my 100-400 GM and 400 F2.8 GM + 1.4x teleconverter for sport/action/wildlife. I did a full review of the 200-600 G and compared it to the 100-400 GM.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills thank you, I purchased the A9M2 because I wanted to use the affordable reach of the 200-600, but had to sacrifice resolution, since the A7RIV could not play well with the lens, I’ll be looking out for a review that addresses this issue.
Great review Mark. I’m so pleased Sony decided to continue with the existing sensor and put their development effort into the surrounding features instead. It’s a huge upgrade with many of the things I felt were always missing now in place. That new monitor arrangement will also allow use of a standard bracket whilst being able to rotate the screen, very clever. Does it have the capability to flip the screen around with it facing inwards against the camera for protection? One area I would like Sony to improve on is its custom settings management. I’d love to see an additional micro SD card slot or more in camera memory to hold more settings. (So I can also routinely format the second card slot). Then being able to select a memory position and use a dial to cycle through 20 or more memory settings with the name I have chosen for each appearing on the screen for a period of time. Keep the other two top dial positions for those priority memories. Imagine the settings packs you could create, particularly with all the AI customisation settings now available.😉
Yes - you can flip it and set it to the body with the monitor protected. I also like your suggestion for more on-board memory (as my own workflow is driven by these memories - one of the reasons I have such a high hit rate of sharp images).
Its now 14 bits in BULB The online manual states the following: Resolution is limited to 12 bits in the following shooting modes: [Cont. Shooting] when [RAW File Type] is set to [Compressed]
With all of the new features: focus stacking, bulb functions and AI AF, I'll be upgrading from my A7r3. Oh yeah, the flippy screen is almost the most important for my low, extreme close shots.
Thanks for the positive feedback - Through a sense of duty I watched four other reviews, which were not at all bad, but couldn't help noticing how much presenters talk to camera while not showing photos.
I don't have any camera for quite sometime. Looking at this in addition to Canon R5, Nikon Z8. No sports shooting. Mostly photos of fabrics, mannequins wearing mens fashions. Video for RU-vid. I have narrowed it down to these 3. For my application what would work best?
As a Sony Ambassador you could really only expect me to answer that by suggesting the Sony. The A7RV is, however, a high-end high-resolution camera that may be overkill for your needs when the entry-level full-frame A7IV or APS-C A6700 would meet your needs just as well. 60 megapixels is useful for photographers making exhibition size prints, shooting 8K videos or need to crop really tightly in post-production editing because there 400mm lens was simply not long enough.
The 85mm F1.8 is an excellent lightweight Portrait Prime, but it is not comparable to a GM II - check out my review of the GM2 lens: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZZuLWi8A-WA.html
Thanks for a great review, as always great detail and excellent explanation of features and great photo examples, especially the motogp shots. I attend a couple of motogp events each year but as a normal punter with no privileged trackside access I find I crop a lot of shots, even using the 200-600mm, so the big question for me in looking to upgrade from my A7iii is whether to go for the A7iv or this A7rv, how does the autofocus and tracking compare between the two, is the A7rv the best option in your opinion?
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Many thanks for your reply. The question of budget is always a tough one, I can afford the A1 but I couldn't really justify the cost against the use I would give it!
Attention. DXO software can work ONLY with full true RAW File. NOT with Medium RAW in 26Mpix!!!!!!! is the BIG problem of this camera. No software work with M-RAW file.
_-Raw is a new file format that DxO need to support. This is possible with a future DxO software update. Maybe this question would be better placed on a DxO forum as I am sure they won't read the comments below a Camera review video.
Late to the game, but thank you for such a wonderful overview! Traded my A7IV for this FF, MF, and APS-C workhorse! Wish I'd known about all the improvements and MRAW / 26mp Crop Mode before buying the M4. Everything (aside from fps) I was underwhelmed by on the A7IV now has me smiling ear to ear on this amazing "R" variant. Thanks again!
I have a7Cii and A7RV, there is hell of difference in between two. 61 mp picture is mind bellowing, 33mp picture of A7Cii looks garbage in front of a7rv. Nothing is overkill, it is truly beast camera. In terms of photography there is no Second option. I laughed when I read people comments that 61mp overkill.😀
8.3 Megapixels is displayed on a 4K screen so the primary advantage of the high resolution sensors is people who own 8K monitors/TVs, print very very large or crop very tightly in post-production editing. I own the A7CII as a second camera and the 33 Megapixel sensor is far from 'garbage'.
Hi Mark. Recently I considered upgrading A7iv to A7RV. What perplexed me was the value of moving from 33mp to 61mp. I understand all the newer better features of the A7RV but I could not see 61mp being an advantage other than cropping, and there are disadvantages. And I do prefer the feel of the smaller A7iv. In real world viewing or even printing, do you see advantage of 61mp vs 33mp? Perhaps there is more of a medium format look? Thank you.
I have an A1, A7CII and A6700 because I don't need all my cameras to have ultra-high resolution. I provide my Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler with Raw files they can download from my camera reviews so they can assess whether they need more megapixels. I also offer the opportunity to discuss a Patron's personal needs on the Q&A forums (Premium Plus members). This is a conversation rather than just a quick yes or no answer.
Was a bit worried I'd have some regrets for getting my A1 a few months back after seeing this but I'm still happy I went that way. I do hope that Sony add the focus bracketing to the A1 in a firmware and am excited to see what they do with a future Mark II to that camera - the articulating screen would definitely be very handy for the kind of work I do.
Sony have worked on approximately a 24 month product cycle for the R cameras. if they repeat this with the A1 we should be due a new camera around March next year. Hopefully Sony will share some of the love with the existing A1. I repeatedly ask Sony to be kind to A1 owners.
Is this camera compatible with 200-600mm lens?? Sony a7r4 is not compatible with 200-600mm lens... Can I get pin sharp images from this two combo??If possible please reply..
I have yet to test this combination- all the reviewers got very limited time with this camera prior to the announcement. I chose the 400GM, 100-400, 70-200 and 135 and then ran out of time.
Thanks Mark for your reply. Actually I have Sony a7r4 camera with 200-600mm lens. I have facing blurry and sharp image issues. I didn't get pin sharp images from this two combo. I am still worry..because If I buy a7rv, will the same a7r4 issue coming or not??
Hi Mark. I've had this camera for a year now and because the on-off switch is "looser" than my older Sony bodies it often gets bumped into the on position. I can't find a setting that powers the camera down when it's inactive for a period of time (only to blacken the display). Does such a setting exist? Thanks for the always informative videos!
There are power settings in the setup menu, but the most common cause of premature battery drain is leaving Bluetooth on (which disables the timed power shut down). I offer full support on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.
Looks to be an excellent camera. My only gripe so far is the very slow rate at which focus 'bracketing' (stacking) records frames. I had envisaged the same rates as A7R4 Hi and Hi+ burst modes, which continuous autofocus follows without overly frequent problems. Such high rates might (but only might) enable at least some automatic focus bracketing success when hand-held macro shooting live insects when they (all too often very briefly) stop fidgeting or the object they're attached to isn't being moved by wind. Use of a tripod is usually impracticable in my experience. Sadly, the ponderously slow focus bracketing frame capture rate I've seen in demo videos will greatly reduce or even destroy the probability of successful hand-held stacked macro of fidgeting and/or frequently wind blown live insects. Stills creation from 8k video is another potentially useful feature. Is the Sony in-camera 'Photo Capture' feature available in the A7R5 playback menu? How good is the quality? I'm still investigating alternative screen or frame capture methods which achieve zero or minimal loss of quality. Any comments regarding that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Very useful review Mark. To implement this in A1 the RV chip will not be sufficient but it will have to handle 10 fps to 30 fps three times load. Does such fast DDRAM or Cache chip exist ? Even with parallel processing about 3 times capacity will be required. The cost will be huge. And battery drainage? It will be complete redesign.
If the AI can't be done with the existing chip, the AI processor will almost certainly be updated and added added to the A1 MKII in 2023. It's just a matter of time.
In my search for reviews, this is the one that gives me all the information I need, thanks! It will however be difficult choosing between the A1 and the A7RV..)
It's interesting that the 'V" can recognise tigers @40:02 Mark - my A7S3 can't recognise either of my pedigree Bengal cats as 'cats' at all (in animal mode)? Nor can it recognise motorcycle riders helmets either in any mode...
I use A7-IV, my main genre where I would like to monetize the work is obviously wildlife, but for some reasons I have to start with sport photography. I read your opinions to some questions down there, but I am now wondering which way should I go, as I suppose stacked sensor is clearly a winner to achiving sharp photos in burst sequence (you said, it's going to be mixed sharp/unsharp with BSI sensor). But now, if we compare the systems, is Stacked sensor for like OM-1 the same quality as for A1/A9III? Because you could choose A7-IV with BSI sensor, and then OM-1 with Stacked sensor (7,8 ms readout), then what would be the benefit for each? Would you go stacked sensor no matter what system? OM-1, Z8.. and so on.. (PS: Bokeh, ISO handling... blah blah blah... --> those info aside.. I just want to talk there about the sensor) I invested a lot to Sony gear, so the choice should be A9-III as it has pre-capture, for wildlife and I could combine it to the sport as it has stacked sensor. But then OM-1 is also having that type of sensor (prrobably MUCH less stickier but still..) for the 33% of the price. It's complicated...
The Micro four-thirds sensor of the OM-1 is four times smaller than that of a full-frame sensor - thereby reducing its dynamic range and high ISO performance. I can provide one-on-one guidance on my Patreon.com/markgaler Alpha support channel as this is a conversation rather than a yes/no answer.
Great detailed video as always Mark very helpful - pulled the trigger in my A7RV order upgrading from my A7RIV - lots of improvements that I appreciate Many Thanks! 👍 p.s. looking forward to the eBook especially for all the variants in subject focus set up! 🤯
What I really like about Mark’s reviews is a pragmatic view. What you can achieve with the hardware. Other RU-vidrs tend to focus on things (or one thing I shall say) which are not perfect, creating this illusion that product is rubbish. But you show how to use camera to achieve great results. Thanks to your A1 video I decided to buy it and I am very happy. Thank you for your work and providing us with long but very informative videos. One thing though, I see different features added to the latests cameras, which seem to me to be purely software/firmware. I wonder if you have any idea if Sony is planning to provide us with those features via firmware update. For example breathing compensation or more autofocus options to A1?
I have sent lots of emails to Sony requesting updates for the A1. The AI Subject Detection, however, is driven by an AI processor the A1 does not have.
I can’t wait to see how you add your patented PAL settings to this camera. Is this your new primary workhorse? Or are you staying with the A1 as the ONLY camera you travel with?
That's a great question. My choice of camera is influenced not just by own personal preferences but as my role as an Ambassador. I have used an A7IV at many of the events I cover 9that I would normally have used my A1 for) for the last 12-months as I prepared the 500-page eBook for my Patrons and became completely familiar with the camera. My last two-week location shoot in Nevada and California used the FX30 and A7IV as the primary focus was making movies and not stills. I valued having the 7IV as my hybrid camera because I could assign three memories for stills, 3 more for movies and 3 more for S&Q using the new sub-dial. The A1 got left at home. When I go to India in January I intend to travel very very light and will use the A7C or any new pre-production camera that Sony let me have ...but only off it is an upgrade to the A7C or an upgrade to the A6600. For me there is no one perfect camera, because I shoot so many genres in so many different styles. I prefer to travel very light, but I am not averse to carrying an A1 or A7RIV with a 400mm f/2.8 prime if the circumstances dictate the need for larger and heavier gear.
You were quick with this Mark! Excellent detailed review (as usual). I wish I could find something to hate about the A7RV so that I wouldn't need to buy one...
I enjoyed reviewing this camera more than I thought I would (I own an A1 which is hard to fault). The cleverness of the AI subject detection made me smile on more than a few occasions, i.e, detecting the human on top of a motorcycle when they are not separated and detecting animals and birds behind obstacles when using a wide focus area. I could, of course, jut put a spot on a moving target with my A1 but it is good to see a camera doing all of the hard work through Machine Learning or AI (whatever the accurate term is).
I just swapped one of my Sony A7RIV Cameras to the Sony A7RV, now after many hours in the menu system, it is becoming pretty easy to use, I really like the EVF !!! I also like the IBIS a lot and the bird´s eye detection and he shuuter that closes when shifting Lenses, so now I just have to save up money for a second Sony A7RV or wait a bit to see if the Sony A7RVI soon will arrive !
I am pleased you are enjoying the A7RV - you may have to wait for more than a year to see an A7RVI, as the 'next cabs off the rank' are likely to be the A1 MKII or A7V.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Yes, I also thought so, the rules for import of products to the EU with AI and more have delayed many electronic devices worldwide. I may just buy an other A7RV when I have saved a bit ☺
What is shocking to me is V60 cards can record up to 400Mbps 8K 4:2:0 10bit (max). I would get a pair for either 512GB or 1TB Sabrent SDXC cards that are relatively cheap to have simultaneously record in both for weddings and most works, slap in a CFexpress A when high FPS photography is needed. Also many people talk about S-Cinetone, which is a great profile, but HLG on my A7SIII has been the go to, error-free, closer to SLog2 but with a much higher, cleaner shadow recovery and being HDR-ready as you can play with luminance in SDR as you wish.
Another great review. Sony keep pumping out new camera! I am still waiting for my Fx30. Now should I cancel Fx30 to buy this new full frame? How is this camera compared to FX30?
If you don't shoot stills then the FX30 may be the camera to go for. The 7RV and 7IV ar hybrid cameras and the RV shoots 60p in Full frame but no 120p 4K. You would need an A1 or A7S to do this but the A1 has no flippy screen.
Hi, I have the R4 and FX3. I think if I only had one, I would choose the R4. But the FX3 does have advantages, for video. The resolution is low, but perfect for 4k videos. All the controls are set up for video, but can take stills as well. So it may depend on what your main focus is, video or stills.
It compares very well - you would struggle to notice the differences in my opinion, so it comes down to the feature list and available lenses. Sony also makes the sensor for the GFX 100
Exellent Review. As a nikon shooter I was suprised to see how many features of the A7rV are promoted, that are pretty standard in nikon Z cameras since the the beginning. Such als M and S size raws (uncompressed unlike Sony), focus shift, update via card or even manual focus override. Honestly, this body makes me thinking of switching to sony as nikon still doesn't have a "pro body" below the Z9 (which is too big and too expansive for me).
Nikon only survives because Sony are prepared to sell them with sensors. I was surprised Sony would provide them with a stacked sensor similar to the ones Sony use in their own A1. Investing long-term in a company that does not manufacture sensors you would have to hope this good relationship extends far into the future.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I heard this argument for such an long time and so often. It seems to float most sony user's boat because every time I mention to be a Nikon shoter, the first thing I hear from a Sony shoter is "You knwo that Nikon uses Sony sensors?!" Kind of seems to fit for you, too, as your replay has literally no relation to my post. How ever I never wasted even one secound about thinking, that nikon will go down because sony won't sell them sensors. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group has their own aims. But again thx for your great video I really enjoyed. I have a further question: Acording to Sony's Spec the A7RV can do 8fps in Hi-Mode. Is it true, that the 8fps are only possible in full resolution and the fps drops if M-raw is active?
Any comparison between choosing Nikon or Sony was relevant to my answer - I used to be a Nikon shooter and don't have any axe to grind. I am just aware that our major investment, as photographers, is in glass and not the cameras. I am not paid by Sony to comment on these forums - simply to hashtag my images when posting images to social media. Minolta owners were only spared when Minolta shut up shop because Sony took over their lens mount. As the camera market shrinks further it is only to be expected that some more manufacturers will shut up shop. Watch the stock market to see who will go under next. I hope Nikon will be around for many decades into the future but they went through a bad patch a few years back where they posted consecutive yearly losses and pulled out of trading in many countries. I have no inside knowledge about what Sony will, and will not, do with their sensors in the years to come, but they have held back sensors for their own Alpha use in the last decade, e.g. no other company has ever been supplied with the 12 MP A7S sensor. This means that camera companies who do not make sensors have to go cap in hand to one of the very few companies that make modern sophisticated backlit and stacked sensors.
hi in focus insect mode i am getting large white box in either small point med large settings then goes to small box then green but by time this is green the insect is gone i have tried all diferent settings but it starts with this large white box can this large i mean its 2/3 rds of view area the viewfinder
Best new release video on RU-vid as always, thanks Mark. I got mine today ! Tonight I will be figuring out about focus bracketing. First few attempts resulted in 20 images with no movement of the focus plane... :)
Check the lens is set to AF and not MF. I only tested this using two Sony lenses so I am unsure if the camera will be able to perform this with non-Sony lenses.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills Stills only. With or without an SD card ( because I thought I need a faster SD card but it’s not the case) pressing the shutter to take photos makes the body noticeably warmer above its room temp, and it happens when a couple of minutes.
hi mark, how do i use my raw files withg photoshop or lightroom? when i try to import it says the files are not compatible. any feedback would be great.
In Hi+ drive mode there is no blackout but it is not a live view. In the regular drive modes (which provides a live view) there is blackout. You only get a real-time live view with zero blackout with cameras shooting sports/action when using electronic shutters. The cameras using stacked CMOS sensors have distortion free shooting when using electronic shutters. e.g,. A9, A9II, A1 and Nikon Z9
It's always good to hear that photographers have noticed my use of photos in a review. I see so many reviews where the reviewer has forgotten, or couldn't be bothered, to show any photos they took with the camera, or show photos that don't really showcase the new features.
@@AlphaCreativeSkills I think it’s fairly obvious you’re a master photographer, hopefully Sony is grateful, don’t think any other camera company has a guy like you out there
This includes the new firmware updates. I’m looking at a new a7rv vs a used a1. I do street, portrait, and sports mostly with some landscape here in Japan
Mark, great video. I’ve been using this camera for a couple months and am having some issues with focus on photo for MotoAmerica events. Can you give me some input how to get the focus to lock on a moving bike that appears quickly with virtually only a few seconds to lock and shoot. Yes this is very fast camera but I just don’t think I have the right selection and detection settings. Thanks for your help
This is not a quick question to answer on a RU-vid forum. I offer detailed guidance in my Alpha Support channel which includes an eBook and CAMSET file - Patreon.com/markgaler
Hi, thanks for the review! I mainly shoot motorcycles on the racetrack and occasionally on the road and didn't consider this camera, until I saw your thumbnail ;) At the moment I'm using an A9 and I was thinking about the A1 or if it comes anytime soon an A9 Mark 3. Would you recommend using this camera (A7RV) for shooting motorcycles? Most of the time with the Sony 70-200GM2 and 200-600mm Sony GM.
You will come back with the hero images but if sport is your main passion you want the A1 or a higher resolution A9III that allows you to shoot in APS-C mode. With any camera that does not have a stacked sensor there will always be sharp images and slightly less sharp images in any burst sequence. Only the cameras featuring stacked sensors will have all the images in a sequence rendered sharp.
My only gripes with the 7R5 are the menus taking a backwards step again (vs 7R4), they're frustrating. Also, no in-camera raw to jpg conversion like Nikon has had for two decades. 8K video would have been nice at full width, but a minor issue.
The menus are considered to be much better - by most users and reviewers - once you get used to them. The camera is so customizable you really don't need the menus once the camera is set up (everything can be accessed via the Fn menu, MyMenu, Memory Recall and Custom Keys).
Hi Mark, couldn't see where else to post this question. In your A7RV book (August), p 95, you refer to a Face/Eye Priority setting (P 3). I have been struggling to find this setting, although it might be useful.
That should read ‘Subject Recog in AF’. I will correct the error and provide a new download link today. If you need to report suspected errors please use the Patreon message service. If you need personal guidance use the Patreon Premium Plus Q&A forum - thanks
Thanks Mark- brilliant explanation as always! I‘m now considering your Camset option on your patreon site. Could you just quickly mention for what type of photography you are programming the 3 custom buttons (talking about still only)? Thank you!
I shoot a very broad range of subjects and the camera setup covers 95% of everything I do. The eBook and two-hour PAL workflow video will transform the way you shoot.
Hi Mark!!!! I think I'm pretty much sold on this camera! I want it for landscapes, and nesting birds! It is my understanding that that at "Hi+" there is no black out, and no live view! What will be seen in the view finder??? If shooting at "Hi" compressed RAW what is the FPS??? And is there any lag in the view finder??? (120fps refresh rate) I have the Sony a9 and I still love it! It's great for birds in flight! It would be nice to have the a7r5 also working to capture hi-res images part time!!!! The a1 is the answer but it's out of my budget!!!!$$$$$$😥😥😥
Thank you for the detailed review. I enjoyed every minute of it. Fantastic camera with amazing resolution and capabilities. It almost feels like cheating!
Great video Mark! Are medium raw and medium aps-c mode the same size but one is still a full frame image and one is aps-c? So we get the shallow depth of field and bokeh of full frame with lower megapixels and not a cropped image in medium raw? Thank you for any information and best of luck to you!
APS-C mode is different from Small and medium Raw. APS-C mode crops the angle of view while small and medium Raw just lowers the pixel dimensions (resolution).
Thank you very much, great video! I love my sony A1 and the lens selection but frankly their lack of substantial/meaningful firmware updates is embarrassing! Even for their "Flagship camera". Focus breathing compensation came out with A7SIII (OCT 2020) and still not available for the A1!!!! So I don't see the new focus stacking (A7RV) making its way to other models. Also $1200 for a CF express type A is disgusting!!!
With mounting pressure from a number of influential influencers, I suspect Sony may give A1 users access to these features in a forthcoming firmware update. AI Subject recognition, however, is performed on a dedicated new AI processor so this will be a feature for new premium cameras released in 2023.
