Our recent article about the Canon EOS M6 made it clear that a camera often written off as old can make a huge difference at the right price, and the best part is that this situation extends to every brand. What do we find in Sony's territory? Nothing less than the Sony Alpha A7. It has been on the market for almost six years, which means certain features are absent, but it remains a true powerhouse and has gone through several price reductions (which are always welcome).
Camera makers would love to close their upgrade cycles to stimulate sales, and they've tried more than once, but we can't deny their general discipline in supporting established models. Another parallel benefit is that over time, alternative accessories appear at reduced costs, lowering the entry point even further.
In other words, the cost-benefit ratio can be very attractive if we set aside the concept of the bleeding edge and look for models a few years old. Today it's the Sony Alpha A7's turn. Last December we explored the possibilities of its bigger sister, the Sony Alpha A7 III, but it's a good time to look back and analyze what it offers.
Sony Alpha A7: Back to the Future
Announced originally in October 2013, the Sony Alpha A7 features a full-frame CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixels, paired with the Bionz X image processor. The camera's ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 25,600 with a Boost down to 50, while shutter speed extends from 1/8000 to 30 seconds. Its three-inch screen tilts (84 degrees up, 45 down) but is not touch-sensitive, with a resolution of 921,600 dots (several portals report 1.23 million), and the OLED electronic viewfinder (pure, no sequential here) reaches 2.35 million dots with 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus system on the Sony Alpha A7 uses a hybrid configuration of 117 focus points based on phase detection, and another 25 for contrast detection. This gives it an extra layer of depth information and, by extension, faster operation. Only in very adverse low-light situations can you make it stumble (ISO 3200 and above), but with a small helper on the hot shoe, you can avoid that easily. Its maximum burst rate is 5 FPS, limited by the memory card in JPEG, or 28 shots in RAW. Standard continuous mode drops the average to 2.5 FPS, and the buffer takes about 10-11 seconds to empty when shooting RAW.
The construction of the Sony Alpha A7 makes it carry the word solid as a badge of honor. The body and official lenses have sealing against dust and moisture, a detail other mirrorless cameras often leave behind to stay in their category. The grip is ample, and if you adopt a compact lens, one-handed use is viable.
The interface of the Sony Alpha A7 strikes a good balance between ease of use and what you expect from a high-end camera (from 2013-2014). Three dials on the top, one with a clear front profile, and another dedicated to exposure compensation. We also find a customizable C1 quick-access button, and the mode dial is divided among Full Auto, Programmable Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Exposure Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Scene Selection 'SCN', Panoramic, Movie mode, and two custom entries (1 and 2). If you need more advanced configuration options, the C2 and C3 buttons are located on the back. All the relevant details appear in the official manual. It's almost 700 pages, but it includes several languages besides Spanish.
Logically, being a camera with more than five years on its shoulders, the Sony Alpha A7 doesn't offer any 4K video mode, but that doesn't mean it's a weak mirrorless when it comes to capturing action. On the contrary, all parameters are at your disposal if you prefer to follow the manual route. Its 1080p60 recording at 28 Mbps is wonderful (especially in quiet, prolonged scenes with the assistance of a tripod), and the microphone and headphone ports give you superior flexibility during audio capture.
On the connectivity front, we find WiFi and NFC support, which makes it easy to pair a compatible smartphone. Sony has made several software changes over the years. Both Remote Camera Control and PlayMemories have given way to Imaging Edge (mobile or desktop), and today it's the main tool to connect to the Sony Alpha A7. At the same time, it's recommended to explore the latest firmware updates available.
Accessories for the Sony Alpha A7
What's wrong with buying a high-end camera from 2013? Nothing, as long as the price is right... and at the time of writing, the Sony Alpha A7 costs 800 euros new, with a 28-70 included in the kit. Today there are very strong rivals (the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 is one of them), but not necessarily high-end ones with that number on the label. Another advantage? Accessories are abundant, and at reasonable costs.
Batteries and Power
With a total of 340 shots per charge and particularly slow recovery via USB (more than five hours), the Sony Alpha A7 needs a little help in the power department. Fortunately, that requires less than 50 euros: a compatible Gloxy battery in the NP-FW50 format and the Gloxy hybrid charger 2-in-1 for home and car solve the A7's energy equation without too many surprises. The relevant SKUs are "DI884,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-145".
Tripods and Supports
474 grams don't make this mirrorless one of the lightest, but it doesn't reach critical levels either. In fact, choosing a tripod for the Sony Alpha A7 is a simple process, courtesy of the always accessible Gloxy GX-T6662A. 1.6 meters maximum height, up to 10 kilograms of load capacity, very light for transport (it uses aluminum alloy), integrated level, and quick-release head define this excellent tripod. Among the more compact options, it's hard to go beyond the Clampod Takeway T2, which retains all the virtues of the original and optimizes its position in tripod mode. Both will serve you well.
Bags and Backpacks
Sealing against dust and moisture are two features any Sony Alpha A7 user will appreciate immediately, but that doesn't mean the transport factor can or should be ignored. Also, finding a good backpack isn't complicated. For example, the Gloxy Pro AW series comes in three sizes, its interior is padded and modifiable, the straps are wide (to reduce fatigue), it includes a tripod holder, and the waterproof cover adds an extra layer of protection. Now, if you just want to move the camera from A to B without too many accessories, the alternative is the Delta 400a Fancier bag. Crossbody style, front pocket, breathable fabric, customizable interior, and a very competitive price close the combo. The relevant SKUs are "GloxyPRO,Fancier400a".
Flashes
Some very low-light environments can make life difficult for the autofocus system on the Sony Alpha A7, but these are isolated and infrequent cases. Still, our stance on lighting doesn't change: better to have it and not need it. The first flash recommendation is effective and economical. The Meike MK-320 has a guide number of 32, comes with a diffuser and holder, and the LCD screen simplifies its configuration. A couple of steps up, the Nissin i60A has a more demanding profile with its guide number 60, wide angle movement for its head, diffuser, case, and a mere 300 grams in weight. The SKUs for these are "0713282468,IM713118387".
Lenses
Today we have two options, aimed at covering both ends of the 28-70 that comes with the Sony Alpha A7. The first is the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 EF ED wide-angle, which you can squeeze to the maximum not only when shooting images but also with the notable 1080p60 that the mirrorless records. The second takes us straight into telephoto territory. The Gloxy 500-1000mm f/6.3 is robust, economical, easy to use, and includes the necessary adapters. Nature awaits you!
800 euros for a high-end camera from 2013? Why not? It's a very efficient and smart way to access hardware that would otherwise be impossible for us. The Sony Alpha A7 is a well-documented model, official support is still there, it's not hard to find new units, and the second-hand market doesn't lag behind with its offers. Explore, study, and compare. Good luck!
