THE PROS AND CONS OF USING SONY (My Honest review after 8 years) 

Sony pls listen to a pro photographer of 8-yrs and crush those cons.

I honestly appreciate the long videos. It helps me get through cleaning up the house and sorting through old clothes, other things i dont feel like doing 😅

We use 5 Sony cameras for our videos (FX3, a7siii, a7iv, a6600, & a6400)! Having the 3 full-frame cameras match is perfect!

Thanks for the specific info regarding "Sony Color Science" - that your issue goes away with custom color balance is very interesting.

When i had the A7iv i instantly fell in love with the bird eye autofocus, especially in video mode. Being so excited, i sold it pretty quickly bought an A1, and after shooting stills with it for two or 3 months i realized it didnt have bird AF in video mode. When i confronted Sony about it, they said it did (support don't know what they are doing).

I've enjoyed your videos for years and seeing your progress as a photographer. I started shooting Sony with the A7. Kind of funny now that the knock on Sony was a lack of lenses. But, Sony was first with mirrorless and Nikon and Canon had to play catch up. Since I do very little video, the A7R4 is pretty much the perfect camera for me and I have two of them. I like the depth of the grip and I hate flippy screens. I hope Sony always has a camera designed primarily for photographers. Happy holidays to you and your family.

This was the most honest Sony overview video I’ve seen. I have also shot Sony for a few years and I think we can all agree there are pros and cons with every brand of camera. I agree with the points that the A1 and A7SIII should get those updates that the newer camera have. The A7RV is great but not great enough for $4K

really love your channel man. you never miss. keep up the good work!

Totally agree with the Firmware stuff. Why are they not updating the flagship cameras?

we are absolutely one the same page with you about sony here. they should fix their firmware issue with the higher tier bodies. thank you for being so frank and honest about it.

Great video Manny! And great point about the lack of firmware support

Listen manny, i like what you are doing here.. keep it up

As much as I love your videos, it is so hard to continue watching knowing I'd never afford any of your cameras. Still, thank you! I'm learning a lot from your videos. Enjoy the rest of the holidays! Bless you and your channel! ❤️

Great video Manny! I actually prefer these slightly longer videos, and I think the time and effort you put into your work is amazing… big respect. I wonder how you think the Fujifilm X-H2S stacks up to some of the bodies you mentioned? Obviously the Fujifilm lens lineup although improved significantly (the new primes and the video centric 18-120mm PZ) still lacks behind Sony and the same is true for autofocus… but the features on the X-H2S are incredible. I’ve actually seen a few pro videographers switch from RED’s etc to it - maybe it’s not what you want from a camera for the reasons in the video (totally fair) but is Fujifilm now a legitimate option for videographers and hybrid shooters now for the first time in your opinion? Have a great day 👍

I love Sony. The best thing for me are that they are going smaller. I am a small person and hate carrying large cameras and lens. I don't care about focus breathing. The thing I don't like is the screen and color science. I started with Canon. Switched to second hand sony because it was cheap camera and lens, just to try. And now I am hooked. Bought new Sony camera. Sony are smart. No need to close the market. I bought other companies lenses and many vintage glass initially but now I slowly will replace with GM lens.

Totally agree with the color. I'm a fuji user then move to sony (a7iv). The most annoy things is auto white balance and exposure. it's usually a little yellow and sometimes over expose :v So i'm always try daylight, fluorescent,... And under expose 1/3 stop 😁

To the Firmwarepoint: Sony does it's upselltrick through the software, while in my opinion Canon does it through hardware differences. Why can't the Sony A7IV have some of the features of the A1, if it uses the same processor? Why do new features not get upgraded for the high end older cameras?

I love your videos. Very real world advice. I know you like Sony and for me glass is the reason for what you get. I shoot Canon and love their glass but also what you mentioned. Color science for Canon requires less editing. Especially for Black and Brown skin-tones. I have too much Canon glass to switch since all the Mirrorless are better than the film ones I grew up with. Thank You for keeping it real and giving your spin.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you!

I have an NEX-5T and I agree with everything he said.

Video was insightful thank you. Also the ending was fine 😂 It’s good to just see organic commentary.

You know what, the firmware thing could definitely be better. The A7C has one of the best bindable button options: Tracking on +AF on, and only the A7RV has it too, as far as I can tell. Really wish it was available on my SIII. It's just a button bind, come on Sony

Sony needs to be better about firmware. That’s my gripe. Don’t handcuff us into upgrading a new camera if a firmware upgrade to the previous gen might help it become a more capable camera. And you definitely touched on this. Example:A7iv needs a firmware update to have custom bulb settings like the new a7rv.

Greetings Brother Manny! Awesome video! I missed that part where you mentioned the best hybrid Sony Camera. What was it again? Was it the FX30?

Great job! Would you say the A7r5 color is on par with canon and Nikon? Or is it just “better” for Sony color, now? Cheers!! ❤

Thanks!

15:03 and that is why i use viewfinder so often on my a7siii lol

motivated with your gears and achievement ..Lodi.. frm. PH

You said you don’t know what to say at the end of videos. Can I request something like a closing bit of advice? “No matter what you shoot with, just get out there and create today.” Something like that.

The ergonomics I can deal with but agree they could be much better. Before I swicthed a few years ago I used Canon 1-series DSLRs which felt aboslutely great in the hand (but were bricks) and looking at the R3 I think it not only loks great but will sit in the hand very comfortably. But I've got used to the Sony body size and the comparative weight savings it brings (as a 600GM shooter). I didn't like them switching the C1 and REC buttons around (muscle memory issues) with the a7r5, agree on the rear LCD and agree that the a1 should be getting more firmware updates - it's the flagship camera with a flagship price so things like focus breathing and focus bracketing should be in there.

Yes, better rear screen. Especially, for me, they need to improve the fact that the EVF doesn't work when the back screen is slightly tilted or swiveled a bit. Hate that. For me changing the ergonomics would be a step backwards. I actually prefer the Sony ergonomics over the others, but that could be personal preference (and I am potentially in the minority here). Also the size of the a7 IV is just right, a bit bigger and it would be too big for my hands (at least it would make it less comfortable since I am small and have small hands). Maybe offer different grips that can be exchanged with one another.

I Rock with it 👍🏿

Great video. Been a Sony shooter 8 years too

What about the A99ii ?

Thanks for another great video Manny! I am considering purchasing my first hybrid camera within the $1,500 - $2,000 price range. I know there are many points to it. I am most likely considering it for some occasional photography and most of the time doing videos (travel, music, etc). I am considering either the Canon R7, R8 or maybe Sony A7 III (Body). It would be awesome to hear your feedback/ suggestions. Thanks!

what do you grade the sony a7IV AT NOW ?

👍🏼 for the outro

Great video!

How tall is that model at 0:23 ?! We all know Manny is a 6'2 gigachad so she must be like 6'8 in those heels? :) Love these longer videos! I've shot Canon for 15 years and Sony has never really tempted me because of their ergonomics, build and terrible LCD screens (weird how a LCD screen company like Sony couldn't get this right). To me day to day usage and feel is more important that a few specs, which is why I prefer iPhones and Macs (and I used to build PCs for a long time). Specs don't inspire me. I love how Canon is the only ecosystem that has a $2300 full frame camera that does uncropped 4k60 10 bit (with arguably the best eye AF). I bought the R6 Mark II and use adapted Sigma Art lenses and the quality is stellar. The 50mm 1.4 is smaller than the RF50 and costs 1/3 of the price and is just as sharp, and it focuses FASTER. Canon may not have third party RF AF lenses yet (officially) but unlike Sony and Nikon, Canon's adapted lenses work exactly the same as native RF. There is no performance loss. I can't get a 50 1.4 for the Sony system with this quality and performance for nearly the price. The Sigma is actually smaller than the Sony 50mm and optically about the same, and costs 1/3 the price. You can adapt it to Sony but the performance is terrible. The one thing though I do like about Sony lenses is that they are small. That's pretty incredible. I don't care about weight because I've shot with 1D cameras and L lenses, but that stealth factor is kind of cool.

So I have had Canon, Nikon, Olympus and for the past 4 years Sony and yes Sony is the worst comfortable camera of them all. I am sure I have some hand pain daily which is the result from the grim shape of them but I also have thousands of very sharp images due to the incredible AF on these cameras, which was the main reason for moving to them. Doesn't matter about all the other incredible features cameras have, you need in 99% of cases, to start whatever you want to create with a sharp image and thats where Sony have been in the lead for such a long time. For me personally as an A9 user, I think Sony abandoned the A9 users regarding firmware updates like no Bird Af which was disapointing but they did create an incredible camera so far ahead of its time at that point. As for your Video Manny well I have been with you since the start and the super images that you and Diana have produced, kept my interest and as you branched out to where you are today, your down to earth honesty with gear, not being an affiliated with Sony or Canon etc had been the best move for you as I think we all believe in what you honestly report to us. For me your location shoots are always welcomed as are the human interactions between you and your models which add a lot of interest to the channel. With the City where you live offering so much variety, how about for 2023 more on "fine art" city lines with your models, perhaps in shapes etc...Merry xmas to You and Diana and keep up the excellent work..I will keep saving for the next Sony gear in my bag!

So is the Sony a1 your favorite are the canon .....I'm confused 🤔

I'm hoping Sony does the right thing and updates their 'higher tier' cameras with the same features as the 'lower'. Sony not doing so feels a bit like a kick in the face, when Canon and Nikon do the right thing and update their firmware regularly.

A small one but the Sony touchscreen is LACKING compared to canon. Even the T7i has a touchscreen for the menu and zooming in on photos

As a Sony and Canon shooter myself, you were the first RU-vidr I followed for camera techniques and everyday photography work back in early 2019. Haven't missed a video since. Keep doing what you do. Peace, blessings and cheers to more of your content 🤙

I agree on all points. For me the biggest let down is the lack of timely firmware updates. Hoping Sony can improve on this soon

Nice one Manny. Lots of good points. On the ergonomics, I used the Peak Design Clutch V3 and it solves a lot of those feel issues. I can walk with the 200-600mm hanging off my finger tips and I know it's secure (and I'm and old geezer). Lenses - yes, yes, yes. Don't forget Voigtlanders - put one on and you have a Leica! Keep shooting from the lip - it's more fun and comes from the heart which is very you. 💪🏾💪🏾

15:34 LOL...felt your pain.

Cons: Terrible ibis and color science, expensive CF-express type a cards, garbage screens Pros: Everything else

I didn’t understand about the White balance did Manny say using a Grey card or Great card and does that actually make a difference , if so which one to buy someone pls explain ?

ok lets go.... 1) 2:00 you need in studio 12800 iso really? and AF? use better lighting and manual focus since you are alone on a slider.... why i talk about you, you will find out in number 8... 2) 3:52 applying a LUT in a file dosnt make it color graded..... 3) 5:00 there is a FULL FRAME camera with 1500$ that CAN shoot 10bit 4k INTERNAL(4.2.2)..... man how is it possible that you say such a thing....and its called Panasonic S5...and does it the last 3 years with no update ...man you expose yourself saying that there is no other camera..... 4) 6:10 you probably dont know it but this design in the screen was firstly in the S1h... 5) 6:30 there are 1.8 glass with Panasonic and SIgma 2.8 under 500$ and other 3rd party lenses....unbelievable... but its true E-mount has more lenses but, has it better lenses? that what you should ask yourself mate.... 6) 9:00 difference is that in Panasonic they make small lenses at 1.8 with no breathing.... 7) 10:00 thats the only reason to buy a SONY 8) 10:36 we dont know you but you choosed to expose yourself and talk about things that most people dont know and take your opinion to buy stuff and probably or you dont care or you get money from companies to promote their stuff.... so even if we dont know you we can critisize WHAT you say...if you dont like that then maybe you shouldnt be on youtube posting videos 9) 12:20 really? what feature did they make lately that makes you so excited to shoot? the fact that they correct a lens problem digitally? man thats a problem they can fix in lens .... i cant believe you people prefer worse items that are fixed in camera than just a good item....thats not innovation mate.... trust me 10) If you havent used other cameras than sony nikon and canon PLEASE dont make BIG statements about things you only use ..... you sounds to people that know, hilarious and saddly people that dont know believe you.... i Hope you get that video down and remake it because before i watch this i can that i found some of your videos interesting.... but after this .....man .... I have no affiliation with any company and i use them all as tools... even sony...hahah...but really i hate sony youtubers...sorry lads but you are like an epidemic.... btw this video was not helpful in addition it was irritating thats why i spent 10 minutes of my life writing this message. And lastly this message is NOT a hate message, is a reality message mate, think about it ;)

Sup man, not sure if you remember me but I delivered KFC to you a couple times back when I did my grub hub gig. Cool to see you still posting bro, keep up the good work 😎

Hello, I think your analysis is great and what you have finally noticed using the Sony system. I think the vast majority agree that what is failing in Sony is to see more updates on our cameras, especially those that are older. range, I have the a7 s3 and a7iv.. I also hope that they finally make those small updates. I have very new cameras and they are missing those things that could improve the satisfaction of having this equipment... since I have gone through previous models and I have that same session that they get some update for our cameras hahaha, greetings bro!

Do one for Canon. And please include a rant about 3rd party lenses.

16:40 The aWB changes slightly when you switch from vertical to horizontal on all my Sony. I keep testing and it keeps being true (yes even when the same in the frame). Many reported seeing that too - weird!

when you can speak this well without a script, that's the passion coming out

We started getting more serious about photography and videography in late 2019 and it was your channel that really got us into using Sony. An A7III, RIII and an SIII later we're still loving our Sonys! Thanks Manny!

Yes, this video helps...I just left Nikon (D750) and picked up the A7RV after waiting forever for Nikon to give me something I wanted to upgrade to. I've been a looooong hold out just because I was trying to stick with Nikon at the under $4K price range and eye-auto focus is super important to me as well as 3rd party lens options without adapting. I'm sure they'll catch up soon, but they just took too long for me and they still won't have 3rd party lens options fast enough. Your video makes me feel confident in my switch and my choice in camera model.

The main thing I took from this is that you like Canon better, and the R5 is the perfect camera, but you still keep grabbing that Sony…

The ending LOL 😂 Great video and really good points

Bro the new tech part is what made me runaway from Sony. They can simply solve this with firmware updates, but no, they release a whole new camera with that feature... I switched to Panasonic after 16 years of being a Sony user and I don't think I'm going back to Sony. The value for the price that lumix provides is simply incomparable. You talk about Canon and Nikon and overlooked Panasonic. There's no point on having all the collection of lenses if you won't use 90% of them. I owned 29 lenses and 80% of the time I would use 2 of them only and three more 15% of the time. Then the 5% left would be for the rest of the 24 other lenses. The cameras Lumix release are genuine improvements and the Lumix S lenses are much better value than the Sony ones, providing the same performance for much less money 🤌🏻🤌🏻

Sony's firmware updates are a joke. I don't know if I'd recommend Sony because of this.

How does Sony do in the cold? I have used an A7siii inside and the battery level dropped fast. I just bought a Z9 and was shooting an outside holiday concert. It was 1 degree Farenheit and I had zero issues. Meanwhile a fellow photographer could not even get his Canon to work in the cold. I have not found another brand rated to handle the cold like the Nikon Z9. The colors I am getting out of this camera is the best I have ever seen, especially with florescent light. I also have a Canon 80d.

Agreed with everything you said! Sony should definitely focus on ergonomics and LCD screen in their upcoming cameras.

As someone who is tying to decide what brand of camera they want, videos like this one are very helpful. It's always nice to get candid, this is my opinion over the more formalized "review", especially when it is about a brand ecosystem over just a single model.

I have Sony and use Sony but truth have to be said, I hate the idea of having a crappy screen in a $6,500 camera like the A1, I hate that Sony is SO stubborn on keep cheaping out on the screen. A $3,900 Canon R5 has a MUCH superior and adequate screen to a so called professional camera.

I was hoping you were going to roast Sony for requiring us to tether the cameras to a computer to update the firmware. To me that's a huge PITA.

What would you recommend I go for between the Salon 5D Mark IV and Sony A7 III, primarily for photography?

I’m a Fuji user, former Nikon DSLR user, and I was at a crossroad this summer when the X-H2S was announced. I was yearning for better battery life and better AF and the X-H2S was supposed to deliver it. But, it was the same price as the new Sony A7IV. My dilemma was dumping all of my Fuji gear and getting into a new system or sticking with Fuji. I didn’t go for a new system various reasons, with the main one being cost and size of full frame glass. I did end up getting the X-H2S and I hands down don’t regret my decision. It’s been a game changer for my work. There was a touch and try event for the X-H2S at my local camera shop and I went. I already pre-ordered the camera in case I wanted it I wouldn’t have to wait to get it. I was going to decide if I was going to keep my pre-order or not after the event. After the event was done I played with the other big name full frame mirrorless cameras. I agree with Manny about the Canon R5 feeling the best in the hand and I too have always despised the grip and hand clearance of the Sony A7 bodies. Even the point of low clearance for your fingers with a larger lens was deal breaker for me every time I tried one out. I didn’t mind the ergonomics of the Nikon. At the end of the day I couldn’t stomach the price of the Canon R5, the Nikon lens line up was a bit underwhelming and I hate the grip of the Sony cameras. I’m glad this video was posted because it still reminds me why I stayed with Fuji. I was honest with myself about what worked and what didn’t and I’m so glad I stayed with Fuji. If I had to come up with a perfect system for myself it would be a Sony camera body and lens line up withe the body having the hand grip of the Canon R5 and shutter/button placement of the Fuji X-H2S.

I’m with you Manny. Had the A7SIII (best low light) and A7R4 then upgraded to the A1 and all my glass is Sony (except the 85 sigma). The A1 is an amazing camera but I feel you on the frustration with the price and lack of features it should have (that tilt screen on the A7R5 tho). So many things Sony needs to do to be a damn near perfect company but yet they are still content with complacency. Love the vids and keep them coming.

I agree. I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot the a1 and a7rv but I have shot with almost everything else since the release of the a7rii. Sony haves something for almost every category with a ton of lens options. I came from Nikon and Canon and quickly adopted Sony when eye af was mentioned with the a7rii. Owning other mirrorless brands, Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon I can see the lack of firmware updates being a nuisance. I too think that firmware updates for new features should trickle down to Sony’s more premium lineups (a1, a7r, a7s, a9). Great video with many valid points. Hopefully Sony listens and makes some adjustments for it’s many users.

We should start a livestream show together, the Armenio & Latino talk gear. lol 🤣🤣🤣 Would be off the cuff no holds barred anything goes show. gear, sports, life talk. 2 dudes from opposite coasts. think about it, Raw talk x10.

Finally, someone who agrees that Sony cameras have too small a space between lens and grip. Anyone who mentions this on camera/photography forums usually gets shot down with ‘you must have gorilla hands’. No, I’ve got hands as small as a woman and you just can’t put a large lens on the body and hold it comfortably. Even small lenses are knuckle grazers. No matter how good the specs or ecosystem if the camera has bad ergonomics then it is useless as you don’t want to use it. This obsession with small that the first mirrorless cameras started needs to stop. Light weight is good, small is not.

I love my A7RIV - Truly the perfect camera for me. I can’t envision ever upgrading again & I learned to live with the terrible menus & out-of-camera color defects, which are easily correctible in raw. However, I had the a7c for a short while, and that was the perfect travel & street camera, except the viewfinder was atrocious. If Sony fixes that (ie enlarge it & include an eye cup), then I may buy it again. Maybe you can talk about that in another video & put a bug in Sony’s ear? Thanks for the video.

Me and my new A7III watching🤧🙂

Some valid points.. but I find Canon cameras so much better built and durable. As well as being made in Japan.

Based on specs alone, I could have gone from Canon to Sony when I went mirrorless. But when I picked up an A7 III, my hand almost literally rebelled. To me, Canons just feel right in the hand. They're easy to use. They just work So I waited for the R6 and R5. Now, I wish Canon could match Sony's lens lineup, including 3rd party. And I love that new 4-axis LCD. But I married the Canon lens ecosystem and, as a hobbyist, that's the biggest driver. TBF I already own all the glass I really need anyway. Everything else is just want.

Very helpful. And I like the off the cuff opinions that don’t sound rehearsed. This was more like a conversation. It literally put to bed deciding the camera I’m going to get next because of some of your points and the fact I don’t really want more than one camera. I’m not a pro, but have definitely come across the issues you mention but most of the time, I thought it was just me. Thanks for the validation and your opinion based on a wealth of experience!

Yes, this video is helpful and I have since sub. 👍

Man that is some pretty serious gear, it's completely understandable you would have a collection of tools that fit your diverse workflow, I am similarily equiped for my occupation as well, it's just not as a Photographer or Cinematographer. I think you make a really strong point about the need for Sony to make Firmware updates for people with flagship cameras when they introduce a new pro-sumer model with new features. Most deffinitly the A7SIII and FX3 AND 30 for sure as well as the A1. I have shot for more than 30 years now as an avid hobbyist after taking photography in highschool so I have great appreciation for everything you are talking about technically, I have never taken my Photography to the level that you work at now, for me it has always been a costly obsession, well maybe more a form of therapy and personal interest. I'm in a different place looking through the lens, I see the world in a different way, more closely, with more tactile awareness of asthetics and design ellements that highlight the essence and appeal of the subject. The way these tools make it possible to capture those ellements and asthetics is vividly appearent to me and for the most part Sony has had me thinking hard about opening up my relationship with Canon. I'm not saying I'd switch and dump my Canon gear, but for high res image quality I have been waiting for Canon to produce a BSI sensor with no AA filter and something around 50mp or better for a while. It's crazy to see all that Sony has brought to market in the last 5 or 6 years, and how fast and far they have pulled into the lead for technology and specs. I'm not one to envy anyone's highlight reel, at least not without real appreciation for the mess on their cutting room floor, which is to say I fully appreciate the thousands of hours invested in honing your craft and hustling to get the work, but it is pretty sweat to see some of that gear and day dream about what it's capable of. The truth is at the end of the day there are times when the S22Ultra in my pocket is the most amazing piece of tech I could dream of. Anyway I'm rambling, thanks for posting this, it's awsome to get a real world hands on review of the pragmatic application for these tools and how they compare to each other.

14:55 ugh I have an a7iii and coming from my iPhone, laptop, or monitor, I can't use it most of the time. the evf looks so much better because the highlights are rich softer, and tethered to my laptop the highlights are so much softer

First of all Thank you so much for being my inspiration sir ❤️🙏 I've been following your channel for many years now, I am also a professional photographer in India learning from you with your every video. I can't say enough thanks to you. I wish someday I'll also have my own studio space and would love to shoot the way you do. 🙏 Keep making awesome videos. You are the best and your channel is the best channel regarding photoshoots knowledge on RU-vid . Thank you 🤗

Great video Manny I shoot Sony since the a100 and now I’m on a a7riv and I love Sony cameras and my 70-200 GM ii is just a game changer 🤩🤩🤩

Didn’t know you shoot sports. Love it. What body/lens combos do you use for both outdoor and indoor

I switched to Sony in 2020 thanks in part to going to Creative Space 2019 and finding a NEX-5T with kit lens and battery for $12 at a thrift store. The main reason for the switch was the availability of used and third party lenses that offer similar quality at affordable prices. Canon and NIkon’s Mirrorless offerings at the time didn’t have any of that but Sony did and I wanted to switch to the future which is Mirrorless. I went from Nikon to Sony and I never looked back. I have an A7III which is my workhorse, 2 used prime lenses (55mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8), and a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 which I upgraded from the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 that I got with my A7III in 2020. Can and should there be improvements with Sony cameras and lenses? Yes, and hell yes. Make the firmware updates more frequent and add features to existing cameras to keep their value up. Also, release a new APS-C camera plus new ergonomics on all the bodies. Am I going back to NIkon? Probably not, especially since I invested my money in E-mount glass and I’m starting to get into video which I will say is light years ahead of the video I used to do on my old Nikon D7000. Also 0:16 & 15:04 : good to see her again!

Don't you dare second guess yourself for a second about how long your vids are, or about what your saying to us Manny. We are here for who you are and don't ever change! For me, every time I watch you , its like watching a mate talk about stuff we like to talk about, could sit here and do it all day... Merry Christmas to you and yours!

As for the number of cameras Sony make, it’s incredibly overwhelming as a new photographer to get a feeling for the whole line up! There are so many versions with almost identical names… but the lens ecosystem is what got me to go Sony, I have a mix of Sony, Sigma and Samyang lenses, they all perform amazing at what I need from a camera

I love your videos and always find the lighting setups in particular really helpful as someone newer to photography. Wish I had a full-time model to test out ideas on like you do in your partner and amazed always at the quality of images you both achieve, keep it up!

Kuddos to u man. i like the product slider clips. lighting effects on point.

Great video as usual Manny! Definitely with you on the third party lenses point, that Tamron trinity is 👌 I just recently bought my first Sony camera after shooting on another system for years, and since I wanted to keep the cost low while I just dip my toes in the Sony pond I went with the a7c. Honestly this is the weirdest I've ever felt about a camera in a long while. I get the feeling that a Sony camera is an incredible piece of tech that can do wonders for you, but at the same time kind of hates you. The button placement on the a7c makes no sense (look at where the Menu button is! And that's the button you use to go backwards in the menu...), the design of the camera both from an ergonomic and software standpoint feels almost antagonistic to the user, the camera takes forever to actually boot up (now I understand why Sony shooters keep their cameras on and never turn them off), but once you put in the time and set the camera up, you can at least enjoy the end result (great AF, great dynamic range, etc...), which sort of makes using this pain in the ass of a camera worth it in the end.

CONS at 13:30

Three months after my first a7S3, I bought a second a7S3. After I bought and used the a1 for 8K video, I realized how good the 4k video was on the a7S3 so I bought a third a7S3. I'm always impressed with the images that come out of the a7S3 compared to my a7iii, a7R3 and even the a1.

This video is so helpful man. Really appreciate seeing a highly respected pro’s take, especially when you have extensive experience with both Sony and Canon. And loved the low key honest outro 😂

Tint deviations. Grey cards were developed for exposure, not tint, originally. If you want to analyze tint differences, you have to shoot a reference card with both grey scale and color patches. It will inform you about correct exposure too. And usable dynamic range. Something like the ColorChecker Passport - like it says, passport sized plastic booklet. There's an app with such a card that will analyze your shot and create an ICC profile file that you can import in e.g. Lightroom. Note that tint differences can be caused by lenses too. (Having shot Nikon for the past over 40 years, that was a recurring rant about the F mount glass. The Z system's "S" class lenses totally fix that. A reason for me to never go 3rd party, next to robustness and the brand's honest integrity in its approach to things that need to be fixed under warranty even when the formal period is over.) If you create such a reference shot, then be aware that it is the combined reference for the light at that moment, the specific camera and lens that you were using. Potentially your lens could have very faint changes depending on aperture and distance settings too, depending on its design and complexity. As to tint differences in the studio, classical tungsten lamps drop in color temperature when they age. Strobes and speedlights may vary in color temperature and tint in several ways. The first strobe manufacturer to address this, some 40 years ago, was Swiss "Bron" of the "broncolor" strobe packs and heads. They figured out how to get stable color temperature with varying flash intensity from the heads and also figured out how to get the fastest (shortest duration) flashes with precision. Some "Pro" brand was only able to fix that in the past 10 years. And the cheap Chinese ones actually seem to have figured this out for some of their products, but that's a matter of testing too. LED constant lights, including ones that may be able to flash at a higher output, all need monitoring of their white balance and tint too, especially when they can be set to different levels. Bottom line, color and tint are a "feel" thing and that's how we work with it. So why alls the fuss about tint differences and how to correct them? Well, correction to our preferred "feel" in a consistent way between shots made with different tools and different light sources is easier and faster when we can start with a neutral starting point. Shoot a series of shots with a lens in a setting and at some point shoot the reference card. Reference cards also give you a problem because they want you to change everything towards "neutral". Imagine your sunset shots loosing their warmth - through a shift towards blue. As in sunset the shade is extremely blue already, a shift towards blue makes any shade in the shot more blue. Our tools don't help us with that and we must figure out ways to deal with that ourselves. Do you shoot raw? Only? Then note that your camera's settings for white balance and tint do not change the image data. WB, tint, ISO, are only meta data and dictate e.g. Lightroom how to open/display your file. I generally set my camera to "Cloudy" white balance. This is the camera's assumption of the most neutral light source. It means that my image potentially opens too blue for my liking when it was shot in the tropics at midday - even when the light at that time in that place actually was like that. If you shoot raw + JPEG, then it's a different story. If the JPEGs need to be used commercially SOOC, then I would still use the color reference card to adjust WB & tint in camera, with or without a tethered computer. As to the ColorChecker Passport, these things are not cheap and both touching the patches with your hands and exposure to light, will speed up ageing and the need for replacement. The honeybadger don't care macho photographers in YT videos manhandling those things earn too much money influencing, apparently. And then there is the occasional model in such videos carefully avoiding to touch the color patches - the sign of a pro.

I found you honest and the video was really interesting. I truly believe opinions like this. I'm not a Sony user, but Sony is always a reference once you are looking for improving your gear. And products announcement videos on a side and marketing on a side, this is what someone should really consider. To me, the most important thing is the enviroment and the lenses. I would never jump to Nikon Z or Canon R until the contemporary prime lenses by Sigma and Tamron zoom lenses are being confirmed and created. In the other hand, even when the ergonomics for instance are not good in Sony, Sony has done a really good point that other brands had not: they have show their customers that they listen to them. They give what they are asked for. And there is no comparison for that.

Thanks Manny! I've been a GH5 user since years now, and the current crop of Sony cameras is the one that is really tempting me, with the a7S III and a7 IV providing all that I wanted in the video space. I might still find my way to Sony, but going to the Panasonic S line as of now. Excellently built cameras. Thanks again for the Sony outlook though, you have definitely got the GAS wheels turning again

Been a Nikon shooter for years and every time I tried a Sony camera, I didn’t like the ergonomics. Nikon Z system seemed to have went the same route with making the camera less tall and that usually affects the grip but I preferred the grip on the Nikon Z system over the Sony cameras. I got the FX30 and the grip on that one feels good. Maybe it has to do with it using smaller size lens. On the screen, I was surprised at how the camera screens on Sony cameras were, based on the fact they make phones with much better screens. FX30 screen looks like the Nikon but not as bright and large, would have been great if the gave it the one on the A7RV, maybe next time. I’m thinking about getting the A7RV but I’m waiting to see what Nikon brings out first. I like a lot of the features on the A7RV and that new screen is great, it’s now at 3.2” which matches my Nikon’s but I’m not fully sold on Sony yet. I don’t like the menu system and the control layout but, I could get used to that. I just think the Nikon has better ergonomics, menu system and weather sealing. Sony’s has some great tech in their camera, Nikon could use that in theirs. Great info in the video, thanks.

I have been following your channel ever since you first created it and I always appreciate your true, hands-on perspective on gear and on the art of photography. Your success is well deserved brother.

Maybe I will prefer canon? Just for ease of use. I want a good screen and I don’t want to have to edit the color a bunch afterwards. I want to just record my products and I want them to look the way they look in reality.

I tell folks to buy a grip their Sony camera if they dont like the way it feel in their hands. just my opinion.

The ecosystem is a huge thing... I have the sony airpeak S1 drone... and I LOVE it... there are some issues with signal strength but you can fix that... by modifying the remote with the Alientech Duo 2. No one can touch sony. I am taking beautiful 61 megapixel photos with 11 different lenses from the air. Who else can you do that with?