Sony A7RII or RX100VII (Page 4): A really incredible, in depth look into your photography! I am also in my "Golden Years" and have had a similar review of what my photography has...

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

Red6 wrote:

Like my Sony a6400, the Nikon was a cropped sensor, a D7100. But my decision to move primarily to the Sony RX100 was not purely convenience. A year or so ago I took a hard look at my photography and what I expected out of it. After many years of taking photos all over the world, taking classes, reading, studying, and going through a lot of different equipment I was still dissatisfied with my images and came to the honest conclusion that most of my photos were just "snapshots" and were taken for my memories of the journey. I was never going to take that once-in-a-lifetime "National Geographic" shot.

So, I decided to downsize and simplify. I have gotten rid of much of my equipment. I still have the a6400 and a telephoto lens that I like to shoot moon images with, but mostly I shoot the RX100 and a GoPro Hero 10. Of course, there are challenges and trade-offs but mostly I am happy with the results. I capture a lot of memories and I can carry all of this in a couple of pockets or small bag. Today, being retired with a limited budget, I consider all my trips to be "once in a lifetime". But, I am pretty sure the snapshots I take with my RX100 and the GoPro are just as memorable as the ones I would have taken with a heavier, more expensive, more capable camera kit.

But I am not there yet. I recently bought my wife an iPhone 13 Pro Max and its camera is nothing short of amazing. Her images and videos often surpass those of the RX100 and the GoPro and have me wondering if that should be my next piece of equipment. With that I would condense my kit down to that one piece - replacing the phone I carry now along with the RX100 and the GoPro. Or keep one of those as a backup to the iPhone.

Cell phone photography with these new phones has reached new levels and is now widely accepted. One finds many published photos and images taken with cell phones. Some really professional quality images have been taken with cell phones. While they have limitations (as do all cameras) the quality of their images are reaching new heights. Computational photography is really taking off in these new phones whether they are Google, Apple, or Samsung.

Like my Sony a6400, the Nikon was a cropped sensor... (show quote)

A really incredible, in depth look into your photography! I am also in my "Golden Years" and have had a similar review of what my photography has become. I just went through all my photo albums and while many of my shots are just snapshots, many of my shots have ended up on my walls. Maybe not "National Geographic" award winning photos but definitely good enough, to me, to hang up. That always is my goal even though, like yourself, most remain snaps. I'm at a crossroads too and if I leave my full frame home for a trip like this, I don't want to end up regretting it. I have taken my A7r2 and the RX out together for day trips and while the RX is amazing for its size, there is definitely a difference side by side. Not huge, but definitely noticeable. I just picked up a new printer and.my next experiment is to print out the same images from each camera and see how they compare.

alphonso49uk

Why wouldn’t you take the rx100 anyway.It’s so small you wouldnt even notice it if it was in a jacket pocket

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The Sony RX100 VII has a crop factor of 2.73, so that 24mm becomes 66mm - not very wide. I would bring the AR7II with the 16-35mm lens.

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

alphonso49uk wrote:

Why wouldn’t you take the rx100 anyway.It’s so small you wouldnt even notice it if it was in a jacket pocket

I would, definitely, as I already do. The main question is if I can leave the big guy home.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SteveG wrote:

Everyone's advice has been really great, thanks so much! I think when it comes down to it, I agree with you. A once in a lifetime trip like this without my #1 piece of equipment, well, I just think that I would regret it in certain situations for sure. The A7rII is pretty small as a body and if I pick up the 24-105 or even if I just bring what I have, 28-60mm/16-35mm, and use the rx100vii for anything that requires some reach, I should be covered without breaking my back.

Yes, it is very difficult to let go of the big expensive stuff .......but someday objective logic will take over ......

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, it is very difficult to let go of the big expensive stuff .......but someday objective logic will take over ......

So it's logical to get rid of the full frame?. Why exactly?

GeneinChi Loc: Chicago, IL

[quote=SteveG]We're planning a trip to Portugal next year and I'm debating whether to take my full frame or my compact. What would you take with you? If it is the full frame, then is their one lens you would take with you? (I have a 28-60mm, 16-35mm). Or, is the Sony rx100vii sufficient for a trip to Europe? Looking forward to hearing your opinions![/quote

You will need both wide angle and med tele. The little RX has both and can live in a pocket/purse. Also, depends on the time of year your going. If it’s summer, you’ll be fine. Winter can be tougher because of the small controls. That being said, take what you’re comfortable with.

gwilliams6

zug55 wrote:

According to the B&H web site, the Sony DSC-RX... (show quote)

I agree with Zug55 here. I have owned Sony A6500, A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9, and currently own A1, A7RIV, A7SIII.

If you take the A7RII then the Sony 24-105mm f4 lens is the one to take, super versatile. Take extra batteries as that A7RII takes the older, smaller FW-50 batteries. Later Sony models use the larger, longer lasting NPFZ100 batteries. Yes a fullframe wider angle lens like the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 would also be good to take, but you can get by with 24mm for wide shots.

But the RX100VII is so compact, when dont you take both. There may be times you want that compactness and stealth of that small camera and its equivalent 24-200mm focal range. Take extra batteries for it also. If you have a camera mishap or failure, you dont want to be left with no camera for your trip. I always take two cameras on any trip.

Cheers
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Toment Loc: FL, IL

SteveG wrote:

Everyone's advice has been really great, thanks so much! I think when it comes down to it, I agree with you. A once in a lifetime trip like this without my #1 piece of equipment, well, I just think that I would regret it in certain situations for sure. The A7rII is pretty small as a body and if I pick up the 24-105 or even if I just bring what I have, 28-60mm/16-35mm, and use the rx100vii for anything that requires some reach, I should be covered without breaking my back.

I believe you have found the right answer. Don’t regret not bringing the FF. If you never use it, you’ll have learned something. (so will I. I’m doing the same thing in Montana this fall).

Toment Loc: FL, IL

jerryc41 wrote:

The Sony RX100 VII has a crop factor of 2.73, so that 24mm becomes 66mm - not very wide. I would bring the AR7II with the 16-35mm lens.

24-200 is FF equivalent

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

Toment wrote:

I believe you have found the right answer. Don’t regret not bringing the FF. If you never use it, you’ll have learned something. (so will I. I’m doing the same thing in Montana this fall).

I thank you! Yes, I believe that this has been a fruitful discussion!

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

jerryc41 wrote:

The Sony RX100 VII has a crop factor of 2.73, so that 24mm becomes 66mm - not very wide. I would bring the AR7II with the 16-35mm lens.

No. The 24mm and 200mm specs are the “converted” focal lengths. The lens isn’t 24mm; the full frame equivalent is 24mm

Pittsburgher

With all the excellent comments you have received to your question, I add a few additional ones with some hesitation. However, here are a couple of thoughts which may be helpful.

As to the RX100vii: I’ve used an RX100vi as a supplement camera on trips to Iceland and Alaska, and found it to be fine as essentially a high-quality point and shoot. Very portable and convenient. My main concern is the difficulty in easily adjusting shutter speed/aperture/ISO and focus mode. In Auto, it handles nicely and produces good results. I haven’t made prints beyond 4x6, so can’t comment on image quality.

As to the A7Rii: I’ve used it part of the time in Iceland and as primary camera in Alaska. The ease of making all adjustments is its primary appeal to me (especially manual with auto ISO), enough to offset additional weight and bulk. In Iceland I used Sony’s 16-70mm crop sensor lens (24-105mm equivalent) and found that to be a very comfortable size which covered most, though not all, situations. A longer lens would have been helpful at times.

In Alaska I used the A7Rii with Sony’s full-frame 24-105mm and 70-300mm lenses. While well suited to my needs, I found changing lenses quickly to be rather difficult, especially in a non-photo group tour. Results were good, but I’m not sure I’d go with that bulk and inconvenience again.

If you don’t expect to need longer focal length, taking your A7Rii and renting the 24-105 as your principal or only lens might well meet your needs. (My hunch is that the 60mm max on your current lens might be a little short. I’ve not used any lens wider than 24mm, so can’t comment on what taking your 16-35mm would add.)

Hope these musings are of some help in your decision. Most of all, enjoy the experience and don’t get overly involved in the photography!

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

Rick from NY wrote:

No. The 24mm and 200mm specs are the “converted” focal lengths. The lens isn’t 24mm; the full frame equivalent is 24mm

I'm definitely aware of the equivalent factors of the RX glass. The 16 35mm is my favorite lens. It definitely would be going!

Rileychas Loc: San Diego, California

I also have both of these cameras and will be taking the RX100 on trip to NYC next week, need to travel light