Sony announces A7 and A7R: first full-frame mirrorless ILC cameras

Sony has announced the A7 and A7R – the world’s first consumer-oriented full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Externally, the two bodies are nearly identical and feature a pentaprism-like EVF housing, generous handgrip and plenty of manual controls. The differences are internal – sporting a 36 megapixel sensor, the A7R has no optical low-pass filter and is limited to contrast-detect autofocus, while the less expensive A7 has a 24 megapixel sensor with a low-pass filter and on-chip phase detection. Both bodies are designed around the Sony NEX E-mount, though new ‘FE’ lenses are needed to take advantage of the larger sensor. They also feature a new BIONZ X processor, XGA OLED ‘Tru-finder’, 3-inch LCD, Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC, and 60p video recording. 

Existing lenses for Sony’s NEX range of APS-C mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras will mount and work as expected, though the scene will be cropped (though Sony gives you the option not to do so if you can live with some inevitable vignetting). Sony Alpha lenses can also be mounted via either the LA-EA3 or LA-EA4, the latter of which includes SLT autofocus technology. See our first impressions report for more.

The A7 will be sold in a body-only kit for $1699 or with a new 28-70 F3.5-5.6 OSS lens for $1999. The A7R is not bundled with a lens, and is priced at $2299. Both cameras are expected to ship in December.

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Press Release:

Sony Unveils World’s First Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras ¹

New Sony A7 Series Are World’s Smallest, Lightest Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens Cameras ²

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 15, 2013 – Sony’s new A7 and A7R digital cameras are the world’s smallest full-frame interchangeable lens models ².  Highly anticipated by professional photographers and imaging enthusiasts alike, the two new cameras offer an unmatched combination of creativity, customizability and portability.

The A7R model features a 36.4 effective megapixel 35mm Exmor® CMOS sensor – the highest resolution sensor in the history of Sony’s A line – with no optical low pass filter for added resolving power and increased image detail.  The A7 model boasts an impressive 24.3 effective megapixel 35mm Exmor® CMOS sensor and an innovative fast Hybrid AF system. 

Each camera is equipped with advanced imaging features including a powerful new  BIONZ® X processor; fast AF capabilities; a clear, bright XGA OLED Tru-finder, full HD 60p video recording, Wi-Fi® and NFC connection, dust-and moisture- resistance and more.

“With these new A7 camera systems, Sony has completely redefined the look and feel of a professional-grade digital camera,” said Mike Kahn, director of the interchangeable lens camera business at Sony Electronics.  “The A7 and A7R cameras are significantly smaller, lighter and more portable than any other full-frame interchange lens camera yet deliver image quality, power and performance that professionals and enthusiasts crave.”

Both cameras feature full customization and control to meet the needs of the most demanding photographers.  There are 9 different customizable buttons and 46 assignable functions that can be adjusted based on shooting preferences, including fully customizable front and back dials, a rear control wheel and an exposure compensation dial ³.  Users can preview all changes to photographic settings in real-time on the high-contrast, 2.4 million dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder or the high-resolution tiltable 3” LCD screen.

The new cameras share a powerful new BIONZ X processor that accurately reproduces details in textures in real-time via extra high-speed processing capabilities, and allows for exceptional low noise performance in all types of lighting conditions.  Additionally, the powerful processor combined with the advanced, high resolution sensors allow both cameras to shoot pro-quality Full HD video (AVCHD progressive, 1920x1080p @ 60p) with richly detailed colors and ultra-low noise.

Clear Image Zoom has been enhanced for video recording as well, allowing for powerful close-up shots without sacrificing pixel count.  Other pro-style movie features include an audio recording level control and display plus a “live” HDMI® output for passing through video to an external monitor or recording device.

The new cameras both have on-board Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities for instant image sharing and transfer to compatible smartphones and tablets.  The A7R and A7 models can access Sony’s platform of PlayMemories™ Camera Apps, allowing users to add new effects, filters, utilities and more.  This platform includes new ‘Multiple Exposure’ app, which automatically combines sequential exposures into one creative shot, and ‘Smart Remote Control’ ⁴, which allows for direct control of exposure and shutter speed from a connected smartphone and is particularly useful for self-portraits or group shots ⁵.  Find out more at www.playmemoriescameraapps.com .

The new A7 and A7R cameras each have a tough, magnesium alloy build and are dust and moisture resistant for standing up to some of the toughest weather conditions.

A7R Camera

Designed for professional photographers and highly advanced enthusiasts, the new A7R model is the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame interchangeable lens camera2. 

It has an impressive 36.4 effective megapixel full frame sensor and no optical low pass filter, ensuring that the extraordinary resolving power is fully realized and resulting in an unprecedented level of detail and clarity in images. 

The camera features a new Fast Intelligent AF technology that delivers blazingly quick, accurate autofocus.  Additionally, there are a total of three selectable sizes for the Flexible Spot AF frame, minimizing the risk of accidentally focusing on the wrong target. 

A7 Camera

Offering an exciting entry into the world of full-frame photography, the A7 camera features an advanced 24.3 effective megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor paired with the powerful new BIONZ X processor.

The exciting new camera has an innovative Fast Hybrid AF system that combines phase- and contrast-detect AF methods to ensure speedy, accurate autofocus.  It can also shoot at up to 5 fps continuously with non-stop AF tracking, allowing it to keep pace with fast-moving athletes, wildlife or energetic children.

New Sony A Lenses and Accessories

There are a total of 5 new full-frame E-mount lenses designed to take full advantage of the powerful imaging capabilities of the A7R and A7 cameras, including mid-range zoom lenses from Sony and Carl Zeiss, two bright Zeiss Sonnar T*™ prime lenses and a premium-quality G Lens™ telephoto zoom.  Sony’s growing E-mount interchangeable lens lineup now consists of 21 different lenses including the new full-frame models.

In addition to the new lenses, there are also two new-generation mount adaptors that give photographers the ability to utilize full-frame Sony A-mount optics on the A7 and A7R cameras.  The LA-EA3 adapter simply adds compatibility for existing A-mount lenses the new cameras, while the LA-EA4 model adds the ultra-fast focusing and shooting capabilities of Sony’s innovative Translucent Mirror Technology.

There is also a new vertical grip (VG-C1EM) that offers greater comfort during vertical shooting and can accommodate two separate NP-FW50 batteries for extended battery life and shooting time.  A new BC-TRW compact external battery charger that quickly charges batteries and is great for travel, and FA-CS1M off camera shoe allows the use of external flashes (HVL-43M, 20M) in off-camera wired applications.   Additionally, the new LCS-ELCA premium soft leather carry case protects the A7 and A7R cameras from scuffs and marks while being carried. 

Pricing and Availability

The Sony A7R and A7 full-frame interchangeable lens cameras will be available for purchase this December.  

The A7R camera will be offered as a body-only for about $2300. 

The Sony A7 compact system camera will be offered with a 28-70mm F3.5 – F5.6 full-frame lens (model SEL2870) for about $2000.  It will also be offered as a body-only for about $1700.

The versatile new LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 mount adapters will be available in December for about $200 and $350, respectively.

The new VG-C1EM vertical grip and LCS-ELCA premium case will also be available in December for about $300 and $ 140, respectively. 

The new camera and all compatible accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit www.blog.sony.com for a full video preview of the new Sony A7R and A7 full-frame cameras and follow #SonyAlpha on twitter for the latest A camera news.

1 According to survey conducted by Sony as of October 2013, for non-reflex interchangeable lens digital camera equipped with auto focus function. 

2 According to Sony’s internal research as of October 2013

3 Some functions can only be assigned to certain buttons

4 ‘Direct Upload’ available at launch. ‘Multiple Exposure’, ‘Smart remote control v2.10’, ‘Picture Effect+’, ‘Photo Retouch’ and ‘Lens Compensation’ will be available for the A7 / A7R by the end of 2013

5 A7 series will become compatible with “Camera Remote API beta”(http://camera.developer.sony.com) , API (Application Program Interface) for remote operation of Sony camera with Wi-Fi-equipped smartphones and electronic tablets, after installation of the most recent Smart Remote Control that is distributed from countries providing PlayMemories Camera Apps.

Sony A7 and Sony A7R specifications

Additional images

Sony Alpha 7

Sony Alpha 7R

Comments

Busy day for toilets in Solms. Leica execs cr-pping bricks now.

Very unlikely. Not even a good try. Leica has its own camera market, they are unaffected.

Does anyone know if an M-mount adapter will be possible?

EDIT: I guess it will.

Possible? Just go out and buy one, they are available for ages.

Once they release a set of 24, 35, 50 and 85 f/2 primes, I’m buying into this system. Such primes would be f/1 equivalent on micro four thirds. I would sell all my Nikon gear and have a Sony system for FF low light/DoF, and an Olympus MFT system as a second, even more portable system. Ideally, Sony just makes Olympus join this new FF system.

Nikon and Canon took a dump all over their customers by blocking DX and forcing dysfunctional FX cameras onto their DX users. I’m not interested in lugging 2 kg of camera around. My PEN E-P5 system runs circle around my Nikon DX system it’s not even funny.

***and forcing dysfunctional FX cameras onto their DX users.***

LOL..what did hit you?

I read wired remote control from the specs. Is it really true?

Or it’s the same support for IR wireless remotes like in NEX series?

…just a couple of weeks after that illuminating article about adapters… 😛

If they placed a sensor-shift OIS on the 7R, it would have been fab, The real question is how fast is the CDAF on the 7R.

Aha! Most interesting message from SONY is that NEX will not be continued, as said in the SONY video.

It’s about the NEX brand, not the NEX system. For example, the NEX-5R/T/N will be called ILCE-5000, from what I read.

Still confused about the various lens mounts. If we disregard anything needing an adapter, how many lenses with full image circle do these cameras have available at launch? How many more are announced? I’m surprised they haven’t launched it with a pancake 40mm or so, which would have really shown its compactness and offered a cheap kit.

Most importantly, what is the track record of 3rd party manufacturers for providing Sony lenses? I assume that because of the different registration distance, it’s not as simple as providing a different mount if e.g. sigma wants to make a 35/1.4 or 25-105/4 for these bodies?

This is what it all comes down to in the end, how fast will we have a broad lineup of good quality lenses at competitive prices (meaning competition required)?

First Impressions = Its Ugly.
Second Impression is = I am confused so we have A FF ,A APS-C, E APS-C and now E FF, what for? Why does one need E FF when you have A FF?

Sony now is wasting all of their development time and money on yet another new lens system in E FF.

What we really need Sony is the A99 for the A77 price, just add wifi and 120fs and maybe say 2.5k, then you have a you beaut camera for FF and Video

“Why does one need E FF when you have A FF”

Simple: shorter flange distance allowing to adapt old lenses with an adaptor. And keeping cameras smaller.

It alos aligns internally with Sony’s video cams which are on the E-mount already.

So actually Sony is economising development resources instead of wasting them.

Well if you remove the A-mount from the equation, its much more simple. Maybe that’s exactly what Sony has planned.

A great news for Konica Hexanon lens owners.

All 50 of them. lol

Sony has gone the Olympus way
Olympus dumped the 4/3 for the m4/3
To cater for the 4/3 lenses they introduced an adapter to mount the 4/3 lenses on m4/3 cameras
=A-mount to E-mount
I’m glad I didn’t choose the 4/3 or the A-mount
I have a Nikon FF that have backwards compatibility of lenses to at least 1972

I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. In case you didn’t know, Nikon has done the same thing as Sony and Olympus with their Nikon 1 system: introduced mirrorless cameras with an adapter to mount Nikon F lenses. You have to have the adapter, because any mirrorless camera that wants to take advantage of the shorter lens registration distances that mirrorless offers will obviously need the adapter to position SLR lenses at the proper distance from the sensor! There’s really not much point in offering a mirrorless camera with the *same* lens registration distance and body thickness as a DSLR.

I’m sure there will be a day some time in the future when Nikon, too, will offer a mirrorless FF camera of their own. And when they do, they’ll offer an adapter for it. And just like Oly, Sony, and Canon, this adapter will offer backwards compatibility with their other lenses. After all, that is the point of the adapter: to provide backwards compatibility.

Meanwhile Sony releases 70-200 f/2.8, re-assures Amateur Photographer that they have no plans to dump A-mount, and prepares to release of A77 successor in first quarter of next year and low-end Full Frame in Q2-Q3 2014.

Yxa – your story doesn’t make any sense when faced with facts. Even more so as Sony ALWAYS had adapters from LA-EA series, just like Nikon and Canon got adapters to their mirrorless.

T3
but it’s you that don’t understand.
Nikon is not likely to kill F-mount because the 1-mount
Killing of the original mount (and customer support) that is what’s happening here

A lens roadmap is what I want to see now.
85mm, 24mm primes when?

BANG!!! Still waiting for new Canon-M or Nikon One? =)

Yes. After all, the Sony A7 will now probably light a fire under Canon and Nikon’s butts to hurry up and get serious about mirrorless. I think a lot of Canon and Nikon users would still prefer to stick with Canon and Nikon. We know their sensors, we know their menus, we have lenses that can be adapted to mirrorless bodies, we have flashes we can use (well, at least Canon’s flashes are compatible with their mirrorless system; Nikonians are out of luck there). I’m still waiting for a more serious EOS M offering, but I do love that Sony is plowing ahead, breaking down barriers.

so you offer a sports lens (70-200 G) but no mention of how fast the “pro” A7R really is. and I know no pro which will be happy with a lifetime of 340 shots. sorry sony. great concept, but not quite there yet. it is a step in the right direction – let’s hope the big ones are watching!

The 70-200 is not necessarily a “sports” lens. It’s also a lens widely used by wedding and portrait photographers, too, you know. Believe it or not, not all “pro” photographers are sports shooters.

As for 340 shots, this might be a shocker to you, but you can switch out the battery for a fresh one.

Very high volume shooters will probably want to stick with a DSLR. but for those of us who want to travel lighter, have a less conspicuous camera, or just want an alternative to bulky FF DSLR gear, the A7 looks like a great option.

Thank goodness a manufacturer is willing to think outside the box (or outside the mirror box, as it were). We have plenty of DSLRs already in the market. Kudos to Sony for putting out a compact FF ILC. This is as close to a digital version of my old Nikon FE2 35mm film SLR as any digital camera has ever gotten. Finally 35mm FF in a compact ILC body! Very nice.

T3 – thanks – no news there to me. but my pocket cam does more than 340 shots. and even a wedding photographer will want more than that – constantly switching batteries is not an option. there’s more missing than just that though. for a pro, there’s a whole eco system needed and sorry, but sony is not there yet. they are however definitely moving in the right direction and I’m excited to see that.

Wedding photographer running with A7. Buahahahahah! Excellent joke man.

@BelePhotography – I don’t think a camera like the A7 is aimed at the wedding photography market, LOL. That’s like complaining that a Leica M9 is a terrible camera because Sports Illustrated sports photographers won’t want to use it!

So let me get this straight: in a market where there are already plenty of big, bloated FF DSLR cameras to choose from, as soon as someone came out with a compact, slim, light FF ILC, all you can do is complain, whine, and moan? Sheesh, get some perspective, man! Variety in the marketplace is a wonderful thing! Appreciate it! The A7 is a 474 gram FF ILC camera costing less than $1700! It should be a street photographer’s, travel photographer’s, and landscape/hiking photographer’s delight! And yet your response is simply to whine and moan simply because it may not be suited to *some* types of photography!? Well, guess what, the same can be said about the Leica M9 or Hasselblad H3D!

Also keep in mind that every ecosystem needs to start somewhere.

Also keep in mind that, for high volume shooters, Sony does offer a battery pack/vertical grip. If you need extend your shot volume, you certainly can do it with the addition of the vertical grip. So I don’t think it’s the doom and gloom you’re making it out to be.

Plus, you obviously don’t come from the film era of photography. This might be shocking for you to hear, but we used to have to change film every 36 shots! And as a wedding photographer shooting in those days, I can certainly tell you we all survived doing it. I definitely wouldn’t want to go back to the days of changing film every 36 shots, but I could certainly live with switching out the battery every 300 shots or so, especially if it means I can carry around lighter camera equipment on wedding day! My 5D MKII weighs 900 grams with battery. The A7 only weighs 474 grams with battery. The MKII is 2X heavier!

this might be shocking to you. I do come from the film era. wedding photographers back than had an assistant changing the film rols and a backup camera, yes. nowadays, very few people are happy to pay for a photographer requiring an assistant.
And I’m not complaining. If you read my post you’ll see that I do compliment Sony for what they’re currently doing to the market. I’m just saying Sony is not yet ready for prime time and it’s just marketing callin the A7R a pro body.
As for the topic of wedding photographers, you keep pounding it. We now agree that the A7 is not for wedding photographers, it’s not for sports photographers and it’s certainly not for studio photographers. Travel photographers will complain about battery life. So please explain to me – which pro photographer is this camera aimed at.
The weight of the camera (we’re talking 500g) is the last I worry about. Tripods and lights are heavy. That 70-200 will not be any less heavy than a Canon or Nikon 70-200 either.

@T3 – as stated. Great concept. I hope Sony adds the ecosystem needed, i.e. add true flash system, adds the outputs and buttons needed to the camera instead of the “green” mode – and than we might have something that stirs the PRO market as well. For now it’s really a prosumer product. Let’s be frank about that at least. Amazing product for many consumers, not good enough for the bulk of the pros. That is all I’m saying. Not “this product sucks”, as you seem to want to believe.

In short – there’s no short cut to greatness. And Sony is walking towards the top, but it’s a step by step process and this is not yet the game changer. It’s just a hint of where we are heading and I like that!

looks like a real winner here. Good job Sony. The 7R seems great for landscape photographer like myself looking to save weight when we go backpacking. With a few right lenses, I may just sell the D800.

Can’t wait for the test results!

Yep. If this did not sound the alarms over at Canon & Nikon, they should prepare to be just a 3rd party lens producer in the future.

Selling D800 for camera with… 4? uber-overpriced lenses. You can’t possibly do anything more stupid, can you?

If you’re a landscape photographer who wants to save weight, dump the zooms and get a 35 or 50mm prime and a copy of PTGUI or similar. The D800 with a prime isn’t too heavy and software weighs nothing.

@Plastek – I kind of think of the A7 as the poor man’s Leica M9. If you want a lightweight, compact FF ILC, the A7 system is definitely a lot cheaper than Leica. The A7 is also half the weight of a D800 (about 400 grams lighter), and obviously a lot slimmer and more compact. I would much rather travel with something like an A7 than my 5D MKII, which is also about the same weight as a D800. As for “uber-overpriced lenses”, the Zeiss 24-70mm f/4 OSS is $1199, but a Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS is $1499.

I can’t see your point. There’s no wide angle lens for this system yet. The Sony 16-35f/2.8 is over 900gramms, and you’ll be needing an adapter too.
A D800 and a 16-35VR would give you more IQ for about the same weight, A D600/610 would be even lighter overall…

It’s E-mount, so you can put E-mount to nikon adapter and use all your nikon lenses, albeit in manual focus peaking mode and aperture mode.

Finally here after so much anticipation……. High res FF IQ from a small, sealed digital camera with a decent built in EVF and weighing only 470gms. I can’t envisage a better landscape/hiking/street/travel camera. Kudos to Sony. I’m going to have to start saving.

Major questions for me are : 1) legacy glass compatibility with DSLR WAs since there are no prime lenses yet wider than 35mm or longer than 55mm; 2) the native lens road map; and 3) the Australian price – I sincerely hope that it’s comparable with the US prices quoted here……

This is going to be an industry game changer for sure.

I hope so, time for Nikon and Canon to wake up now.

interesting set of cameras, lets see if Sony releases good lenses or just keep adding insane number of new bodies to their lineup.

Sony basically nukes the market from the orbit. Thanks for (not) playing Canon and Nikon, better luck next time.

Sorry Sony, but the Leica M9 was the first fullframe mirrorless camera. 🙂

Leica 1f?

Leica is not mirrorless. It’s rangefinder. Leica existed long before anyone even imagined “mirrorless” term as such.

Yes, it does not have a mirror, but that alone doesn’t make it a mirrorless-type camera.

You wanna say rangefinder has mirror? =)

@Plastek,

How in the wide, wide world of sports does the Leica not fit the definition of a mirrorless ILC camera? That is *exactly* what it is. It doesn’t have a mirror and the lenses are interchangeable.

Well, the rangefinder mechanism has mirrors 😛

Kinda ugly, but I’m suspecting top notch IQ and performance.

which is kinda funny, given the reception of the first Sony DSLRs by the photo community..

Cool!