Sony Alpha a7R II Mirrorless Digital Camera $1198 at B&H Photo
$1,236.95
$1,844.50
+14Deal Score
21,885 Views
I've been looking for a good deal on a decent mirrorless camera but missed the recent Nikon sale. Many people have recommended the Sony A7 series of cameras and this version from around 2015 seems to have just gone on sale for about $600 cheaper than usual.
DXOmark doesn't have Z5 tested, but they do have the Z6. For almost a month the Z6 was on sale for $1400 which puts it just as much in line with comparing to this, $1200 A7R II as the A7R II compares to the $999, Z5.
The Z6 isnt on sale right now. But even if it were, its going to be much more than this A7Rii. A 128GB CFE memory card for the Z6 is $200. I just ordered a Samsung 256GB SD card for $30.
Then you have to add a lens. Outside of that kit 24-50mm F3.5-6.3, the native Z lenses are pretty pricey. Sony has the advantage of 3rd party native lenses.
But it won't matter to this guy. He apparently wants to get this camera with a 24-70 zoom and flex because his sensor is 42mp. (BTW he specifically says he wants to view it on screen.)
I think you are out of touch here. First you were complaining about how hard it would be to take off grip extensions, off a tripod in the rain, and now this. Do you really think most people are printing their pictures?
I could be wrong, but I think most people are looking at pictures on an electronic device. Even Costco has closed their in store print shops.
The Z6 isnt on sale right now. But even if it were, its going to be much more than this A7Rii. A 128GB CFE memory card for the Z6 is $200. I just ordered a Samsung 256GB SD card for $30.
Then you have to add a lens. Outside of that kit 24-50mm F3.5-6.3, the native Z lenses are pretty pricey. Sony has the advantage of 3rd party native lenses.
Thats great. Thats why I qualified by saying it was on sale for almost a month.... guess what, this camera wasn't on sale last week either.
The point of this discussion is comparative value as both cameras are about the same price in a very short time span on sale. You can't just pretend buying the Z6 wasn't option if you are going to pretend this one was. Can you even logic bro?
Leave lenses out of it. people buying the Z6/Z5 last week could have also bought an FTZ for $99 and have the choice of 1000+ lenses spanning 5 decades with F-mount glass.
Stop trying to waste peoples money out of pride - this isn't the way forward if starting fresh.
Edit: It is super disingenuous to be fine arguing against Z5 ($999) that isn't on sale anymore with the A7RII for $1200, but have an issue with comparing it to a Z6 ($1400) that also isn't on sale anymore.
I think you are out of touch here. First you were complaining about how hard it would be to take off grip extensions, off a tripod in the rain, and now this. Do you really think most people are printing their pictures?
I could be wrong, but I think most people are looking at pictures on an electronic device. Even Costco has closed their in store print shops.
Facepalm. You are too much. You want to get a 6 year old camera that has less capability than newer bodies because it has 42mp, which you say you need, but then you want to use it (1) not on a tripod, (2) with a mid-range zoom lens, and (3) to view on your TV (ipad? iphone?).
Do I have that right? Do you see the issues with that or is it all just flying right over your head?
Thats great. Thats why I qualified by saying it was on sale for almost a month.... guess what, this camera wasn't on sale last week either.
The point of this discussion is comparative value as both cameras are about the same price in a very short time span on sale. You can't just pretend buying the Z6 wasn't option if you are going to pretend this one was. Can you even logic bro?
Leave lenses out of it. people buying the Z6/Z5 last week could have also bought an FTZ for $99 and have the choice of 1000+ lenses spanning 5 decades with F-mount glass.
Stop trying to waste peoples money out of pride - this isn't the way forward if starting fresh.
Leave lenses out of this? Come on. Building a system on F-mount lenses are not the way to start a system. Adapters are just a bridge to native lenses.
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
Facepalm. You are too much. You want to get a 6 year old camera that has less capability than newer bodies because it has 42mp, which you say you need, but then you want to use it (1) not on a tripod, (2) with a mid-range zoom lens, and (3) to view on your TV (ipad? iphone?).
Do I have that right? Do you see the issues with that or is it all just flying right over your head?
Why dont you just answer the question. Do you really think that people mostly view their photos via print?
For someone who claims to believes that "the Photographer is 90% of photo", it seems like you rely on the specs and DXO scores quite a bit. You need a tripod, you need 10FPS, you need a grip extension, you need eye tracking, you need the best high ISO, you need more than 13.9 EVs of dynamic range...etc.
Leave lenses out of this? Come on. Building a system on F-mount lenses are not the way to start a system. Adapters are just a bridge to native lenses.
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
If you cannot afford nice lenses, 100% canon and nikon are the way. Their older glass is very good and much cheaper than anything else, including 3rd party sony lenses.
The main advantage of sony's 3rd party lens ecosystem over nikon/canon is the size. You can get smaller lenses that are designed for mirrorless mounts instead of adapting them. Tamron has an excellent set of small lenses that actually offer size and weight advantages over DSLR counterparts. If you said you wanted a lightweight and compact system on the cheap, I'd agree sony is a great choice.
Also, in theory sony gives their AF protocol to other manufacturers but in reality, sony native AF is still better than most other manufacturers (especially sigma). Not true of every lens and manufacturer, but most. I've yet to see any Tamron/Sigma/Samyang that can compete with the Zeiss 55mm or Sony 85mm.
Why dont you just answer the question. Do you really think that people mostly view their photos via print?
For someone who claims to believes that "the Photographer is 90% of photo", it seems like you rely on the specs and DXO scores quite a bit. You need a tripod, you need 10FPS, you need a grip extension, you need eye tracking, you need the best high ISO, you need more than 13.9 EVs of dynamic range...etc.
I think most people take their images on an iphone and view them on an iphone.
I think most people who buy alphaR series cameras are doing it because they want to print or because they want to be able to crop and/or recompose photos. Those are the two advantages of high resolution beyond ~24mp.
Leave lenses out of this? Come on. Building a system on F-mount lenses are not the way to start a system. Adapters are just a bridge to native lenses.
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
Incorrect. Many of the lens reviews out there for Z-mount state if you have the glass from that range in F-mount then no real need to upgrade.
That said, you're just flipping your position to try and stay relevant in this.
So is cost important? If it is. Nikon F-mount and the 5 decades of lenses from 1st and 3rd party will be cheap with vastly more selection than Sony's system.
Or is cost not important, but some how miraculously, one should go cheap on the camera body so they can spend more on lens?
You're turning your own arguments into whats important into hypocrisy, that means your stance isn't a good one.
You think the pros with a D5 and D6 are switching to Z mount right now?, Newsflash, they aren't.
Anyways, my point in regards to the FTZ was they can keep costs down and selection up by buying F-mount lenses, but sooner or later the Z mount lenses will drop in price (The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 has auto focus and is only $399) so only a matter of time.... BTW, Z-mount glass so far is optically superior to anything from Canon, Sony right now.
Why offer an old body to use medium selection of lenses when you can tell people to get a new body that uses the best lenses available, but can also use the largest collection of lenses from any system as well?
BTW, this is SlickDeals so it wouldn't be fair to argue what I paid, but it wouldn't be honest without showing you I bought a Z6, 85mm F1.4, SmallRig cage, SmallRig Grip and Spider Holder for $1560 (before tax) all in last week.... You'll never convince me I should have bought this A7RII for $1200.
BTW, this is SlickDeals so it wouldn't be fair to argue what I paid, but it wouldn't be honest without showing you I bought a Z6, 85mm F1.4, SmallRig cage, SmallRig Grip and Spider Holder for $1560 (before tax) all in last week.... You'll never convince me I should have bought this A7RII for $1200.
Very nice setup and price. Without a doubt better than an a7rii for 95% of use cases.
BTW, this is SlickDeals so it wouldn't be fair to argue what I paid, but it wouldn't be honest without showing you I bought a Z6, 85mm F1.4, SmallRig cage, SmallRig Grip and Spider Holder for $1560 (before tax) all in last week.... You'll never convince me I should have bought this A7RII for $1200.
I am glad that you like your set up, It looks pretty nice. But on slick deals, its more about what you can buy, not what you could have bought. Unless you the Z6 is commonly on sale for $1200.
I also noticed that you did not include a memory card in your price, which is a big cost for the Z6.
Incorrect. Many of the lens reviews out there for Z-mount state if you have the glass from that range in F-mount then no real need to upgrade.
That said, you're just flipping your position to try and stay relevant in this.
So is cost important? If it is. Nikon F-mount and the 5 decades of lenses from 1st and 3rd party will be cheap with vastly more selection than Sony's system.
Or is cost not important, but some how miraculously, one should go cheap on the camera body so they can spend more on lens?
You're turning your own arguments into whats important into hypocrisy, that means your stance isn't a good one.
You think the pros with a D5 and D6 are switching to Z mount right now?, Newsflash, they aren't.
Anyways, my point in regards to the FTZ was they can keep costs down and selection up by buying F-mount lenses, but sooner or later the Z mount lenses will drop in price (The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 has auto focus and is only $399) so only a matter of time.... BTW, Z-mount glass so far is optically superior to anything from Canon, Sony right now.
Why offer an old body to use medium selection of lenses when you can tell people to get a new body that uses the best lenses available, but can also use the largest collection of lenses from any system as well?
I dont have to switch any position to stay relevant in this thread, because this is a thread about the A7Rii. Not the Nikon Z6 thats no longer available at that price, or whatever Camera greenpanther is pushing.
If you think adapting lenses is so great, why did you buy a Viltrox 85mm lens? Matt Granger "That Nikon guy" says that the Viltrox isnt a great value, and several people reported that the lens died pretty quickly.
Does GreenPanther agree with you that Z-mount lenses are superior to anything from Canon?
I dont have to switch any position to stay relevant in this thread, because this is a thread about the A7Rii. Not the Nikon Z6 thats no longer available at that price, or whatever Camera greenpanther is pushing.
If you think adapting lenses is so great, why did you buy a Viltrox 85mm lens? Matt Granger "That Nikon guy" says that the Viltrox isnt a great value, and several people reported that the lens died pretty quickly.
Does GreenPanther agree with you that Z-mount lenses are superior to anything from Canon?
The nikon Z has better glass for the $. The canon RF has better lenses but pricey. That is why I would recommend most people on a budget go for nikon. Most high end shooters I'd recommend go for canon. Sports and certain wildlife / landscape shooters I'd go for Sony. Both Canon and Nikon have a huge catalogue of good legacy options.
The nikon Z has better glass for the $. The canon RF has better lenses but pricey. That is why I would recommend most people on a budget go for nikon. Most high end shooters I'd recommend go for canon. Sports and certain wildlife / landscape shooters I'd go for Sony. Both Canon and Nikon have a huge catalogue of good legacy options.
How can the Z lenses be "better for the money", when Canon lenses are typically priced the same or less?
Example of Z vs RF prices from BH.
Nikon 35mm F1.8 - $850
Canon 35mm F1.8 - $500
Nikon 50mm F1.8 - $600
Canon 50mm F1.8 - $200
Nikon 85mm F1.8 - $800
Canon 85mm F2 - $600
Nikon 24-70mm F4 - $1000
Canon 24-105mm F4 - $1100. This lens goes on sale all the time, and has an extra 35mm.
Nikon 24-200mm - $900
Canon 24-240mm - $900 - similar price but longer reach.
104 Comments
Your comment cannot be blank.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Then you have to add a lens. Outside of that kit 24-50mm F3.5-6.3, the native Z lenses are pretty pricey. Sony has the advantage of 3rd party native lenses.
I could be wrong, but I think most people are looking at pictures on an electronic device. Even Costco has closed their in store print shops.
Then you have to add a lens. Outside of that kit 24-50mm F3.5-6.3, the native Z lenses are pretty pricey. Sony has the advantage of 3rd party native lenses.
The point of this discussion is comparative value as both cameras are about the same price in a very short time span on sale. You can't just pretend buying the Z6 wasn't option if you are going to pretend this one was. Can you even logic bro?
Leave lenses out of it. people buying the Z6/Z5 last week could have also bought an FTZ for $99 and have the choice of 1000+ lenses spanning 5 decades with F-mount glass.
Stop trying to waste peoples money out of pride - this isn't the way forward if starting fresh.
Edit: It is super disingenuous to be fine arguing against Z5 ($999) that isn't on sale anymore with the A7RII for $1200, but have an issue with comparing it to a Z6 ($1400) that also isn't on sale anymore.
I could be wrong, but I think most people are looking at pictures on an electronic device. Even Costco has closed their in store print shops.
Do I have that right? Do you see the issues with that or is it all just flying right over your head?
The point of this discussion is comparative value as both cameras are about the same price in a very short time span on sale. You can't just pretend buying the Z6 wasn't option if you are going to pretend this one was. Can you even logic bro?
Leave lenses out of it. people buying the Z6/Z5 last week could have also bought an FTZ for $99 and have the choice of 1000+ lenses spanning 5 decades with F-mount glass.
Stop trying to waste peoples money out of pride - this isn't the way forward if starting fresh.
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
Do I have that right? Do you see the issues with that or is it all just flying right over your head?
For someone who claims to believes that "the Photographer is 90% of photo", it seems like you rely on the specs and DXO scores quite a bit. You need a tripod, you need 10FPS, you need a grip extension, you need eye tracking, you need the best high ISO, you need more than 13.9 EVs of dynamic range...etc.
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
The main advantage of sony's 3rd party lens ecosystem over nikon/canon is the size. You can get smaller lenses that are designed for mirrorless mounts instead of adapting them. Tamron has an excellent set of small lenses that actually offer size and weight advantages over DSLR counterparts. If you said you wanted a lightweight and compact system on the cheap, I'd agree sony is a great choice.
Also, in theory sony gives their AF protocol to other manufacturers but in reality, sony native AF is still better than most other manufacturers (especially sigma). Not true of every lens and manufacturer, but most. I've yet to see any Tamron/Sigma/Samyang that can compete with the Zeiss 55mm or Sony 85mm.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
For someone who claims to believes that "the Photographer is 90% of photo", it seems like you rely on the specs and DXO scores quite a bit. You need a tripod, you need 10FPS, you need a grip extension, you need eye tracking, you need the best high ISO, you need more than 13.9 EVs of dynamic range...etc.
I think most people who buy alphaR series cameras are doing it because they want to print or because they want to be able to crop and/or recompose photos. Those are the two advantages of high resolution beyond ~24mp.
That help you?
In fact you are much better off starting a system with this camera, because lenses are the most important part of a Camera system.
That said, you're just flipping your position to try and stay relevant in this.
So is cost important? If it is. Nikon F-mount and the 5 decades of lenses from 1st and 3rd party will be cheap with vastly more selection than Sony's system.
Or is cost not important, but some how miraculously, one should go cheap on the camera body so they can spend more on lens?
You're turning your own arguments into whats important into hypocrisy, that means your stance isn't a good one.
You think the pros with a D5 and D6 are switching to Z mount right now?, Newsflash, they aren't.
Anyways, my point in regards to the FTZ was they can keep costs down and selection up by buying F-mount lenses, but sooner or later the Z mount lenses will drop in price (The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 has auto focus and is only $399) so only a matter of time.... BTW, Z-mount glass so far is optically superior to anything from Canon, Sony right now.
Why offer an old body to use medium selection of lenses when you can tell people to get a new body that uses the best lenses available, but can also use the largest collection of lenses from any system as well?
I also noticed that you did not include a memory card in your price, which is a big cost for the Z6.
That said, you're just flipping your position to try and stay relevant in this.
So is cost important? If it is. Nikon F-mount and the 5 decades of lenses from 1st and 3rd party will be cheap with vastly more selection than Sony's system.
Or is cost not important, but some how miraculously, one should go cheap on the camera body so they can spend more on lens?
You're turning your own arguments into whats important into hypocrisy, that means your stance isn't a good one.
You think the pros with a D5 and D6 are switching to Z mount right now?, Newsflash, they aren't.
Anyways, my point in regards to the FTZ was they can keep costs down and selection up by buying F-mount lenses, but sooner or later the Z mount lenses will drop in price (The Viltrox 85mm F1.4 has auto focus and is only $399) so only a matter of time.... BTW, Z-mount glass so far is optically superior to anything from Canon, Sony right now.
Why offer an old body to use medium selection of lenses when you can tell people to get a new body that uses the best lenses available, but can also use the largest collection of lenses from any system as well?
If you think adapting lenses is so great, why did you buy a Viltrox 85mm lens? Matt Granger "That Nikon guy" says that the Viltrox isnt a great value, and several people reported that the lens died pretty quickly.
Does GreenPanther agree with you that Z-mount lenses are superior to anything from Canon?
If you think adapting lenses is so great, why did you buy a Viltrox 85mm lens? Matt Granger "That Nikon guy" says that the Viltrox isnt a great value, and several people reported that the lens died pretty quickly.
Does GreenPanther agree with you that Z-mount lenses are superior to anything from Canon?
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Example of Z vs RF prices from BH.
Nikon 35mm F1.8 - $850
Canon 35mm F1.8 - $500
Nikon 50mm F1.8 - $600
Canon 50mm F1.8 - $200
Nikon 85mm F1.8 - $800
Canon 85mm F2 - $600
Nikon 24-70mm F4 - $1000
Canon 24-105mm F4 - $1100. This lens goes on sale all the time, and has an extra 35mm.
Nikon 24-200mm - $900
Canon 24-240mm - $900 - similar price but longer reach.
Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 - $2300
Canon 24-70mm F2.8 - $2300
Nikon 14-24mm F2.8 $2400
Canon 15-35mm F2.8 - $2300