A7IV plays a surprise role in my camera arsenal - am I missing something?

[Camerarabbit]

Hello! I recently purchased a new digital camera (Sony A7IV) and am having some thoughts about how it fits into my arsenal, wanted to use this wonderful website to make sure I’m on the right track in my thinking

A little about me: I am a full time freelance photographer with 12 years experience. I’m not a gear head. Up until recently I was using a Canon 6d II and a Sony A7R II. I shoot events, some head shots and architecture/interiors. Up until recently I used the Canon 6dII for events/portraits and the A7RII for interiors /architecture

IN the spring I felt like it was time to update since the screen on my A7RII was getting washed out and I had this feeling that I needed to upgrade for my clients. I went to B&H and they suggested I get the A7IV (“the R is only if youre making huge prints!”). I’ve shot with the A7IV for about 6 weeks now, and I’m surprised and disappointed to say that I dont find it to be as sharp with landscapes as my A7RII. (I used to laugh at the idea of contrast, but I think that’s what my eye is seeing. The files are 30% larger, so makes sense)

At first I found this discovery really frustrating, but then thought that maybe the A7IV strikes a nice balance between my 6dII and A7RII.

I was thinking of trying to sell the A7IV, but then thought that maybe this makes sense: The Canon is still my favorite for portraits / people, I’ll hang onto it for those purposes and as a backup. I’ll use the A7RII for landscapes. The A7IV can replace my Canon for events (the former produces a file that feels to be a lot richer with tones and pixels. I still prefer the Canon colors, but the A7IV almost has a medium format feel in comparison with the 6dII)

I was hoping for the A7IV to be my interiors/architecture camera, but am now thinking that it’s my new event camera. Wasnt expecting that!

Does this sound right to you? Maybe I'm not considering something to fall more in love with the A7IV for landscapes, such as a better lens (currently working with a Zeiss 16-35 f/4, which is awesome on my RII, but lackluster on the IV)

I wish I had just one system, but I also shoot film and have no problem using 4-5 different cameras for different scenarios, so I think I need to get in this mindset for digital as well…

 

[Rolleiflexible]

I have a couple of A7 bodies -- both A7ii models, one with a sensor converted to 720nm infrared. This isn't a direct answer to your question, but are you certain the A7iv is failing you in sharpness? Sony's electronics are legendary for their poor user interfaces, and its cameras are anything but straightforward. Could it be that the firmware is tripping you up somewhere, and if you dive three levels down into one of the 27 different menu screens, you might find a toggle buried there that fixes the problem for you?

Good luck.

 

[4season]

I’ve shot with the A7IV for about 6 weeks now, and I’m surprised and disappointed to say that I dont find it to be as sharp with landscapes as my A7RII.

Yes, that sounds about right: The -R models omit the optical low pass filter, which gives their images a "crisper" look, but they're more prone to aliasing and moire as a result. Whereas I believe that your A7IV does incorporate OLP filter. So in post processing, you want to lay on the Sharpness more with the A7IV files, because that's exactly what the control is designed for - dialing back the effect of the OLP filter.

 

[xkaes]

I agree with everything said. They are not the same camera, so you would expect some differences. In addition to the above, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Make sure all the settings of the two cameras are as close as possible to each other. One small difference in the countless settings can show up with different results. The R, stands for "Resolution" , but you probably know that.

 

[Camerarabbit]

Yes, that sounds about right: The -R models omit the optical low pass filter, which gives their images a "crisper" look, but they're more prone to aliasing and moire as a result. Whereas I believe that your A7IV does incorporate OLP filter. So in post processing, you want to lay on the Sharpness more with the A7IV files, because that's exactly what the control is designed for - dialing back the effect of the OLP filter.

So helpful, thank you!

 

[Camerarabbit]

My sharpness in lightroom was at 45. When I up it to 95, the files look like the R's @ 45. Easy fix, so grateful I asked and got a good response!