Sony Alpha NEX-A7R Pro Reviews

When it comes to getting high image quality from a small, full-frame camera, the Sony a7R has it wrapped up. It's worth the higher price and pairs well with Sony's impressive FE lenses.

While it's easy to be tempted by the cheaper sibling, I think the noticeably superior image quality of the A7R makes a compelling case for spending the extra money if you've got it. Though the A7 is faster overall, it still has the same poor battery life, loud shutter mechanism, and endless startup time. The Alpha ILCE-A7R is a great alternative to entry-level full-frame dSLRs like the Nikon D610 and the Canon EOS 6D if you're looking for something more compact, but not for shooting action.

To some the A7R’s presence may baffle. A pricier and, in part, less featured A7 - what’s the point? Well, our friends, this specialist kit is all about superior image quality. And it’s here that the Alpha A7R really stands out. At low ISO settings the 36-megapixel full-frame sensor’s results are full of detail, look spectacular straight from camera, or you can tweak the raw files as you desire for sharp results that, and even despite the resolution hike, are a step ahead of the standard A7. If you have a particular way of working then the A7R will be a dream camera. Small, distinct and able to deliver great image quality - it’s got plenty to shout about. But as a do-all-things kind of full-frame camera it lacks the autofocus ability and more accessible price point that otherwise made the A7 so appealing. Further limitations to low-light focus, battery life and the number of native FE lenses available - landscape shooters will be waiting for that wide angle - may further hinder that purchase decision. But with all that said, we’re still excited about the A7R because when we look at the images we captured they fill us with joy. A lot of the downsides we can forgive and think those photographers aware of what's what will think the same. This camera is a creative tool that has its photographic eye firmly on image quality. And that’s what will make it a full-marks standout full-frame winner for some, but certainly not all.

The Sony Alpha 7R is a full-frame mirrorless camera with an amazing 36-megapixel image sensor. It's not quite as fast to shoot as its twin sibling, the Alpha 7, but its image quality earns it our Editors' Choice award.

If you can afford – or find – either of these cameras, buy one. Year 2013 isn’t over yet but the Sony Alpha A7 and A7R are prime candidates for DT’s Cameras of The Year award. In fact, barring the release of a spectacular model from the majors in December, we’ll give our vote right now to the A7, clearly one of the most enjoyable cameras we’ve used in quite some time. As we’ve written before, full-frame cameras are overkill for casual shooters. But if you’re looking to elevate your photography, these A7s are great considerations. Again, let’s not kid ourselves, these cameras are expensive and really designed for the so-called serious photographer, but they also show that prices for full-frame cameras are lower than before, so we may see a response from Nikon and Canon in 2014, which can only mean good things.

For what's arguably a specialist camera, the Sony Alpha A7r appeals to a very broad group of photographers: those upgrading from a smaller format whether DSLR or mirrorless, those downsizing from a full-frame DSLR, those looking for an alternative to expensive rangefinder cameras, the A7r has them all interested. In many respects it certainly delivers the goods. In my tests the Alpha A7r matched or out-performed the image quality from the Nikon D800e, while comfortably out-resolving the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, not to mention its stablemate the Alpha A7. If you're looking for maximum image quality in a minimum body size, this is the camera for you.