Product Listing

Sony A7R: The Outrageous 36MP Full-Frame Compact Mirrorless Camera

By Alvin Soon - 6 Dec 2013
Launch SRP: S$2799

Image Performance

f/5.6 at 35mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 400.

Image Performance

The sample photographs were shot with the Sony A7R. The photos have not been post-processed, are saved in AdobeRGB, and are copyright to SPH Magazines. They are provided for your reference only and we ask that you do not reproduce them elsewhere. Because of each image's large-size we're unable to offer full-resolution downloads. Instead, we have 100% crops which have been compressed once-more through the cropping process.

I didn’t think that Sony could squeeze a 36MP full-frame sensor into such a small body and make it work, but after looking through the images I’ve become a believer. There are some trade-offs, but the sensor should prove more than enough for its target audience of enthusiast shooters.

The biggest reason I’m convinced is how noise-free the images stay even at sky-high ISO levels. I have pictures at ISO 10,000-16,000 which remain impressively free of noise - that’s a level of performance I’ve only experienced on the highest-end DSLR cameras like the Nikon D4. The second-biggest reason is how rich the 36MP files are with detail. The A7R benefits not just from a large sensor with a high megapixel count, but also the lack of an optical low-pass filter, which allows more fine detail to be captured at the risk of image artifacts like moiré appearing.

f/4 at 35mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 16,000.

Compressed 100% crop.

DP Review has detailed how the difference in cameras with and without an optical low-pass filter can really only be seen with the help of good quality lenses, and I’ve seen myself that the difference is only noticeable with large prints. A high megapixel count also means that mistakes like slight camera shake or off-focusing are more readily apparent. But when you nail that shot, the texture you can capture is incredible and filled with more micro-detail than from cameras with optical low-pass filters, and that’s what I’m seeing with shots from the A7R.

f/4 at 35mm, 1/250 sec, ISO 640.

Compressed 100% crop.

The Carl Zeiss FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA lens is a pleasure to shoot with, the lens is sharp from corner to corner with imperceptible corner softness and no vignetting (although we wonder if that last part is handled in-camera, as some shots seem to have a hint of vignetting while others do not). There is slight barrel distortion where the image curves into the center though, so you’ll need to apply a profile correction in post.

f/2.8 at 35mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 10,000.

Compressed 100% crop.

As I mentioned in the design and handling portion of this review, the A7R is not a camera designed to run and gun, with its slower frame-rate and AF, not to mention the large file sizes. A 36MP JPEG from the camera varies from 15 to 30MB and RAW files will be even larger. Color, when it comes to JPEGs, is rich without being overly saturated.

f/2.8 at 35mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 100.

Compressed 100% crop.

In short, if it's image quality and detail you’re after, the A7R delivers in spades. But with great power comes great consequence; every mistake you make will be magnified and you’ll have to tighten up your shooting technique to get the most out of this 36MP full-frame beast.

f/11 at 35mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 640.

Compressed 100% crop.

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9.0
  • Performance 9.5
  • Design 9
  • Features 9
  • User-Friendliness 9
  • Value 9
The Good
Host of customizable options for buttons and menus
Incredible image quality from 36MP sensor without OLPF
Focus peaking makes manual focus easy
Quick saving of large files to memory
The Bad
Plain looks
Average battery life
Battery charger not included in box
Only two native lenses at launch, only one is available for the A7R
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