Would you be interested in a Sony a6500 and a Sony a7RII in a Canon 80D form factor?

Would you be interested in a Sony a6500 and a Sony a7RII in a Canon 80D form factor?

  • Yes

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No

    Votes: 8 100.0%
  • Total voters
    8
H

HJD

Member
I'm curious to see what people here would answer to the below question, so please take the poll above and feel free to elaborate in the comments:):


Would you be interested in a Sony a6500 and a Sony a7RII, a7SII in a Canon 80D form factor?


The a7sII was not mentioned in the poll or headline due to space constraints. Please note: I'm not advocating that Sony should increase the size of the a6xxx or a7x series. I'm wishing that they make a separate camera line with the same technology used in the a6xxx and a7x cameras, but in a larger DSLR-like form factor like the Canon 80D. Personally I really like the ergonomics of Canon DSLRs. However, I believe mirrorless cameras are the future, and Canon's offerings don't appeal to me. I also see the advantages of having small compact mirrorless cameras like the a6500. They are great for traveling light when used with pancake lenses, great for keeping a low profile, great for gimbal use etc. I would just like the same technology to be available in a larger more ergonomic body as well. I don't see why all mirrorless cameras per definition must be small. The definition of mirrorless, as I understand it, simply means an interchangeable lens camera without a mirror. Here are some of the main reasons, in no particular order, for me wanting a larger form factor à la the Canon 80D.


1) A larger grip makes using the camera more secure and comfortable when shooting for a prolonged time - especially for those with larger hands
2) Larger buttons and controls with a bit more space between them makes operation less "cramped" - again especially for those with larger hands
3) Better balance when using a large lens and a full sized speedlight on camera - important for those of us using large lenses and a lot of bounce flash
4) Room for a fully articulating touch screen
5) Room for a larger heatsink to further reduce the risk of overheating
6) Room for dual card slots
7) Room for a headphone port (already there on the a7-series)
8) Room for a larger battery
9) Perhaps room for a full sized HDMI port


I understand that there are rumors about a larger more professional camera series above the a7 line, currently dubbed the a9. However, I'm "just" a hobbyist, and it would be very hard for me to justify spending 3500-5000 USD on a single camera. Therefore I really wish Sony would also make available cameras that both have an ergonomic form factor and are in a price range accessible for enthusiasts. Sony has stated that they are committed to both the e-mount and a-mount, which makes me wonder if they've reserved the ergonomic DSLR form factor for the a-mount. I hope not.
 
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I voted no. I like my cameras small and light. The a7 II form factor is perfect *for me* right now, and I see some benefits of going even smaller (a6500).

Nowadays, when I hold something like a 5D I always wonder at how huge and heavy it is XD
 
Nope. Pretty much all I want is back up SD card for photo shoots and I'm set. Size is perfect for me.
 
@Samuel H: Yea, the 5D series are quite large and heavy. I have a Canon 40D which comes close. I'm also tempted by the a6500 and will take a hard look at it when the first reviews are in. Do you also do on camera flash photography, and if yes, does the balance of the a7II and a full size speedlight work for you? I also have a Panasonic GH3 and while I really like the form factor, its smaller size and weight means it doesn't balance well with a full size speedlight. And I need the full size speedlight to have enough power to bounce off the ceiling at conferences. Thanks for your vote and for your comments! :)

@geffyb: When you write the size is perfect for you, is that a reference to the a6500 or a7 series? Thanks:)

@BryanMurphy: Yes, the a6500 looks very promising indeed. I hope I'll find it usable for on camera flash use, I'm confident that it will excel at video. I which it were available in a Canon 80D body, but hopefully I can make it work. It sure is very tempting. By the way, I think you forgot to cast your vote in the poll. Thanks:)
 
I don't take many stills. When I do, it's definitely without a flash on the camera (I don't own any flashes: if I shape the lighting for stills, I use my continous LED lights).
 
No. I have bigger cameras for when I need them. I like my a5100 (probably soon to be an a6300/a6500) because it is small and light. It serves dual purpose as C-cam and family cam.
 
@Samuel H: Thanks for your reply.

@brudney and Paul schefz: Yes, the A99II looks very interesting. However, the A99II is not really a mirrorless camera. It has a mirror albeit one that doesn't move. I wouldn't be able to adapt my Canon and other lenses to the A-mount, and the existing A-mount lenses, although very good for stills, are, as far as I understand, not optimized for video autofocus etc. as most of them were developed before the hybrid photo/video trend set in. I'd like to go with a mirrorless system that has true hybrid performance and offers both APSC and full frame cameras. So far Sony is the only brand. I have a Panasonic GH3 and love the form factor and the fully articulating screen. However, I'm not quite satisfied with its performance as a stills camera, it's also too small to balance well with a full sized speedlight (the hotshoe actually broke off after light use), I'm not satisfied with its low light performance for stills or video and the video autofocus is pretty poor. I wish Panasonic would improve video autofocus and make a full frame version in a slightly larger body with the same form factor, but I'm not counting on it. And yes, I know I'm being very picky :smile: So far Sony's offerings are the most appealing to me, although they appear to have their own quirks. I also wish the Sonys had a fully articulation touch screen like the GH3 and were also available in a larger more ergonomic body like the Canon 80D or a larger version of the GH3. So far it looks like most people here on this board prefer the current trend of miniaturizing cameras. I have nothing against small cameras, they have their purpose, I just wish the same technology were also available in a larger more ergonomic body.

@deltoidjohn: Thanks for your comment.

@Erik Naso: Yea, I'm with you on that one. I love the form factor of my GH3 which is practically the same as the GH4. It just doesn't balance well with a full sized flash. With the current trend of smaller cameras, I'm thinking that it's going to be difficult for me to find a mirrorless hybrid camera that's going to balance well with a full sized speedlight. I might have to keep a separate DSLR camera for that purpose. I've really enjoyed watching your reviews :smile: - also the one on the a6300 although it overheated just being turned on outside in the sun. As heartbraking as that discovery was for you, it made for a good video. You also come across as a very nice guy, and I can't wait to hear what you think of the a6500 when it comes out. I really hope Sony solved the overheating issue.
 
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