Here’s why…
(Hint: Technology is king!)
We recently switched from Canon to Sony cameras and lenses and we couldn’t be happier. Chad at ASAP Photo hooked us up with the best deal anywhere on the new Sony A7r, a few of the A7iii’s, and several prime lenses for our wedding and portrait work. I want to tell you all about these shiny new gadgets, but first…
WHY DID WE SWITCH??
Let me first say that Canon has been very good to us. We have used the latest platform of camera bodies, prime “L” lenses, and the latest flashes for as long as we’ve been photographing. We’ve beaten them up, dropped them, dragged them through sand, snow, rain, and sub-zero temperatures, from 14,000 feet above to sea level, and they’ve always worked incredibly well. That being said, the “DSLR” platform (Digital Single Lens Reflex) is very old and outdated.
Mirrorless cameras came onto the scene around 2004 and have made many advancements that have, we think, overtaken the DSLR camera. Without getting into the deep details of why we think they are better, I will say that I’m much happier working with new technology and new advancements instead of being a carrier of a tech that is still limping along, trying to make the latest offering better.
ENTER THE ELECTRIC CAR…
I like to think of it like the car industry of today. Internal combustion engines have ruled the market for many years, and while we have made many advancements in the way it performs, it is still a technology that dates back to the late 1800’s. (Which, coincidentally, is when the first SLR camera was invented!) We have the technology, now, to build electric motors for cars and it is becoming more prevalent than ever. However, there are still people (us included) who drive a car based on technology that is over a hundred years old. Now, while I realize fully that buying a car versus buying a camera are not the same, there is valid reason for us all to think about this advancement in technology when buying a new or used car when the time comes. This is why we switched from Canon to Sony. The time came for us to re-evaluate our arsenal of gear. Did we want to continue using Canon and keep purchasing the next “5DMark…” offering which was marginally better than the last, or did we want to go ahead and work with cameras that are using cutting edge technology and create great images? We chose the latter and feel like, for us, it was a good decision. With no disrespect to all of the amazing photographers out there still using DSLR’s, we felt like it was time. Sony has been on the cutting edge for a while now and as soon as the A7 series came out, people took more notice.
HOW DO THEY PERFORM?
If you are going to switch cameras, do your research.
Our decision to switch was based on a lot of things:
Ease of use
All of these factors are huge. The first one, ease of use, is really important to us because we don’t want to be “fiddling around” in the settings menu during a wedding day. We love the “set it and forget it” mentality of configuring cameras, and Sony has made it easy.
How they perform on a wedding day
The second factor, how they perform on a wedding day, is also a deal breaker that has a lot to do with ease of use. If we’re in the middle of the ceremony and things go wrong with our cameras, it can be devastating. Having a camera that is easy to set up and use is really important.
Their physical size and weight, or “just how heavy are these things?”
One very large factor for us! Physical size and weight play a key role in using a camera for over eight hours straight. We typically use two cameras each, strapped to our shoulders. After a few hours of walking around like this with our old Canon cameras, we were fatigued to say the least. Sony cameras are small and about half to two-thirds of the weight of the same representation from Canon, lenses and all. While that doesn’t sound like enough to switch, it is a major player in the decision making process
The cost of changing brands, ie. “How much will this cost me in the end?”
We have a good friend and fellow wedding photographer who made the switch before we did. He was able to sell all of his used Canon gear and buy new Sony equipment and still be ahead on money. To me, that says a lot about both Canon and Sony.
The cost of “upkeep” or “can I use this body for a few years before the next model comes out?”
This still has yet to be determined, but it seems as though the cameras we’re using are good. If Sony comes out with a new camera body, we’ll probably get one and test it first. I will say that, compared to Canon bodies, a Sony body costs a lot less to replace.
The real test: Are the images better?
When it comes down to it, the image is what matters!
After shooting several thousand photos, over several weddings, family portrait sessions, adventure sessions, and elopements, we feel as though the image quality is amazing. To be fair, Canon has great image quality as well. Sony has dialed in the tones, and has several ways to tweak the photo, in camera, that make shooting with the A7R and the A7iii perfect for our work. Some say that the skin tones are not right with Sony, but we have not had a problem dealing with those. All in all, Sony seems to be ahead of the game and continues to impress us with each photo shoot we have.
WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?
If you’re like us, you want the finished result to be perfect, beautiful, and flawless. When we switched from Canon to Sony we had these factors in mind. Think of it this way: when you buy new furniture, cars, food, or whatever, you want the thing you hold in your hand to be perfect when you buy it. If it isn’t you send it back or ask for one that is. Our work revolves around us being able to catch moments quickly and without a problem. We feel as though making the switch to Sony cameras isn’t what makes our work beautiful, but it does help. If we can create images with new technology, better ease of use, and lighter weight, we feel like we’re ahead. It will enable us to have one less thing to worry about on your wedding day.
ADVICE
If you are planning on making the switch from Canon to Sony get in touch with us. We thought it was a seamless, easy transition and Chad at ASAP Photo made it all smooth. He even gave us advice that saved us a ton of cash when purchasing lenses.
