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If it all works out, the Small Black show at the 7th Street Entry on Saturday is going to be the last time I’ll be using the Sony α6000 camera. This is an excellent APS-C camera, considering its retail pricing compared to other camera in its class. For five years, the camera performed without any issues and served as my main workhorse for thousands of shows.
Before I talk about the new camera, let me tell you about my personal road that lead me here. I got into the Sony lens camera with the Sony NEX-3N camera in May 2013… this was an upgrade from my Micro 4/3 Olympus PEN E-P1 (which I had since Oct 2009).
The Sony NEX cameras evolved to what we know today as the Alpha (α) cameras. Sony was smart in their designs, because all these cameras shares the same lens interchange system called E-Mount. This is amazing, you can use any E-Mount lens on a variety of Sony products, including Sony α, SmartShot, Handycam, NXCAM or XDCAM systems.
So, going from my NEX camera to my first α (which I purchased in May 2016), I just reused my NEX lens on the new camera. This is such a cost-saving thing that I’m basically locked into the Sony system – thanks to their lens design.
For the uninitiated, I’ll break down Sony’s confusing camera naming system for their Alpha (α) cameras:
So, anyway, my next camera is the “Compact” Sony α7c. I have wanted this camera since it was announced in September 2020. It’s basically an α7III, but smaller (and slightly cheaper). A lot of reviews don’t like the 7c because they think it’s too small and prefers the larger and heavier 7III… but the way I see it, I don’t think they have a good argument. They don’t understand that not everybody wants bigger and larger, but prefers smaller and compact.
Now for the bad news, while I am looking forward to the full frame camera, it’s quite an expensive jump to this format. Although my old APS-C lenses will work on this new camera, it doesn’t take advantage of the full 35mm frame. Full frame lenses are all triple the price (or more) of the standard APS-C version. For example, an APS-C 70-200mm lens will cost about $250… the same equivalent full frame lens will cost $1000.
Before I talk about the new camera, let me tell you about my personal road that lead me here. I got into the Sony lens camera with the Sony NEX-3N camera in May 2013… this was an upgrade from my Micro 4/3 Olympus PEN E-P1 (which I had since Oct 2009).
The Sony NEX cameras evolved to what we know today as the Alpha (α) cameras. Sony was smart in their designs, because all these cameras shares the same lens interchange system called E-Mount. This is amazing, you can use any E-Mount lens on a variety of Sony products, including Sony α, SmartShot, Handycam, NXCAM or XDCAM systems.
So, going from my NEX camera to my first α (which I purchased in May 2016), I just reused my NEX lens on the new camera. This is such a cost-saving thing that I’m basically locked into the Sony system – thanks to their lens design.
For the uninitiated, I’ll break down Sony’s confusing camera naming system for their Alpha (α) cameras:
• α5000: consumer level ($400)
• α6000-6400: Advance consumer level ($800-$1k)
• α7: Basic Full Frame ($2k), which also includes α7R for Resolution ($3k) and α7S: Sensitivity ($3.5)
• α9: Flagship ($4.5k)
• α1: Ultimate Flagship ($6.5k)
As you can see, the two flagship α9 and α1 (which was introduced this year) are not affordable. My best option is the α7 (3rd revision), which costs about $2k.
That price is still pretty high, considering there are cheaper alternative cameras with similar specs… however, none of those other cameras will work with my E-Mount lenses or capable of “eye detection” or incredibly fast auto focusing system that Sony developed with the a6000. At the time of its release, Sony boasted it had the fastest auto focusing system.
• α6000-6400: Advance consumer level ($800-$1k)
• α7: Basic Full Frame ($2k), which also includes α7R for Resolution ($3k) and α7S: Sensitivity ($3.5)
• α9: Flagship ($4.5k)
• α1: Ultimate Flagship ($6.5k)
So, anyway, my next camera is the “Compact” Sony α7c. I have wanted this camera since it was announced in September 2020. It’s basically an α7III, but smaller (and slightly cheaper). A lot of reviews don’t like the 7c because they think it’s too small and prefers the larger and heavier 7III… but the way I see it, I don’t think they have a good argument. They don’t understand that not everybody wants bigger and larger, but prefers smaller and compact.
Now for the bad news, while I am looking forward to the full frame camera, it’s quite an expensive jump to this format. Although my old APS-C lenses will work on this new camera, it doesn’t take advantage of the full 35mm frame. Full frame lenses are all triple the price (or more) of the standard APS-C version. For example, an APS-C 70-200mm lens will cost about $250… the same equivalent full frame lens will cost $1000.
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My biggest issue, by far, with my A7C is the abysmal battery life. I heavily researched it prior to purchasing, and noted mentions of non-class-leading battery life, but it is considerably worse than I anticipated. Otherwise, I am happy with the camera.
Posted by: Sony Camera | 11/07/2021 at 06:56 AM