[Too late?] Impressions after upgrading from Sony α7II to α7III
*Please note that this article contains a significant amount of the author's subjective opinions.
I was happily using my SONY α7II, but I recently upgraded to the α7III.
People have been saying for a while that the α7IV will be announced soon, so it might seem a bit late, but I'd like to share my thoughts.
I haven't had a chance to take the camera out for a full day yet, so this will be a first impression.
Of course, I've held it before, but it's different when you own it and can play around with all the settings.
Reasons for upgrading
The power sometimes wouldn't turn on, and occasionally the AF wouldn't work depending on the lens.
It wasn't a major concern at first, but it seemed to be happening more frequently, so I upgraded before it completely broke down.
If it weren't for the issues mentioned above, the α7II was a camera I wanted to keep using for many more years.
Initial impressions
For better or worse, the texture felt exactly the same.
The original texture was already excellent, so I have no complaints, but the freshness of having a new camera was somewhat diminished.
The weight has increased by about 50g, but this wasn't an issue.
The α7RIII or RIV might have offered an improved sense of rigidity and a more premium feel when held,
but high megapixel counts would definitely be overkill for me, so they weren't an option.
Much easier to use!
"In terms of pixel count," there doesn't seem to be any change in the images produced.
However, the refinements in the details significantly contribute to its ease of use.
Points I found easy to use
- Fast startup
- Multi-selector and other buttons
- AF performance
- High ISO sensitivity
- Increased battery capacity
- Dual card slots
These are probably points that are mentioned everywhere, but they are all things you truly appreciate when you hold the camera.
The startup time was previously too slow.
Also, the button layout finally feels like that of a mid-range camera.
I wrote that there's no change in the images produced in terms of pixel count, but
the "feeling that you can capture good images" has definitely improved, so the resulting images do change.
Dissatisfaction points
- App features present in the α7II are gone
Since multiple exposure is not built-in as standard, I had to install an app.
As it's not standard, multiple exposure is not possible.
You have to shoot with the intention of compositing on a PC later.
- Touch panel functionality is subtle
You can't zoom in/out on images by pinching, like on a smartphone...
I wondered why a manufacturer that also makes Xperia couldn't implement this!
- Battery charger not included
I knew this before buying, so it's fine, but it would be a surprise if you bought it without knowing.
- Grip
It's a bit small, depending on the size of your hands.
The genuine grip extension offers a great integrated feel and makes it much easier to hold, but
the downside is that it hinders battery removal/insertion and blocks the tripod socket.
Is it still a good buy now?!
If you have a suitable budget and really want it, I personally think it's okay.
In my case, my previous model was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced, and
my budget was fixed, so I upgraded without waiting for the α7IV, which was still in the rumor stage.
Even if the α7IV comes out, my budget might not match, or the α7III's price might drop, leading to more indecision...
If you have a fixed budget and are buying a SONY camera for the first time, you should also allocate some budget to lenses.
If you insist on having the latest model,
though the use cases differ, you might consider the α9II or α7RIV.
If I could upgrade my PC at the same time, I would have been interested in the α7RIV.
SONY seems to have a policy of continuing to sell older models even after new ones are released, so
I don't think it feels like an outdated model.
In fact, if you check SONY's website at present (July 2020),
only the α7R (first generation) seems to have disappeared from the α7 series lineup.
Rival cameras
I think the Canon EOS R and Nikon Z6 would be considered rivals.
Personally, I don't have any lens assets, so they weren't an option for me.
Also, SONY felt more mature in the full-frame mirrorless market, and
the dual card slots provided a sense of security.
Canon lacks in-body image stabilization,
and personally, I don't like the design of Nikon's camera bodies and lenses.
For these reasons, I didn't particularly consider switching mounts.
I really like the design of SONY's mirrorless cameras.
Summary
Upgrading from the α7II dramatically changed my user experience.
Although I have some complaints, overall it's a very good camera!
Once I take it out for a serious shoot, I plan to write another article with further impressions.
High-value trade-ins for used cameras and lenses
Leave your unused cameras or those you plan to upgrade to us for trade-in!
We provide fair valuations for digital cameras, video cameras, and even
classic cameras and old lenses.
We also buy accessories such as viewfinders and adapters.
Junk items and items with some defects can also be assessed.
If you have any unwanted cameras or lenses, please bring them to us.
