The Sony A7R V camera has a lot to say about it. One of the best cameras money can buy right now is the new model from Sony. The new system is great for jumping forwards. For slower shots, the built-in image stabilization is excellent. All other manufacturers should copy the new display because it is so good. You can get some of the best image quality you can get today without jumping to medium format, thanks to the 61-megapixel sensor.
While Sony has made some recent strides to offer quality-of-life improvements like a better menu system in recent cameras, why are its latest cameras stuck with such bad ergonomics?
He is reaching to find something to complain about. Camera ergonomics, physical handling, and grip quality are important. They matter for anyone who is going to use a camera for a long time. I have photographed weddings where I use a camera for up to 12 hours in a row. The A7R V is almost identical to my personal camera, the Sony A7 IV.
In this case, Sony establishes something new with one of its cameras and then slowly trickles out the same feature to a bunch of other models in its line. On the other hand, you might get an advanced feature from a pricey model added to a cheaper camera. If there is a design that doesn't jive with you, you're going to be stuck with that for a while.
How bad are these ergonomics? It's bad enough that I have to tell you about it. Last year, while talking shop with other photographers, I began jokingly coining a phrase to describe what these grips do to your hand.
Handling and comfort are important.
From the pressure point of the camera's grip under the shutter button, you can feel the Sony Knuckle. The Sony Alpha full-frame camera that has been manufactured over the last five years has a small projection under the shutter that is designed for your middle finger. It isn't well-shaped or enough. It is either taller or softer. When you first hold the camera, it feels ok, but once you use it a lot, you realize how uncomfortable it is. Over the course of a full day or two of heavy usage, I have felt a small blisters form. While I can't say that it will happen to everyone, I can say that the Sony Knuckle is not an isolated condition and that the handful of pros that I work with have experienced the same thing.
This isn't the only reason Sony needs improvements. The grips aren't long. Like every other camera in Sony's current lineup, the A7R V left my fingers hanging off the bottom. The Sony Knuckle gets so bad because my finger is not strong enough to support the camera, leaving more pressure on it.
I tried to remedy this by buying a small add-on base plate for the bottom of my A7 IV, but it didn't work out. I am not surprised that the add-on bottom plate can't fix the ergonomics of the SNAFU on its own.
Sony needs to rethink the grips on its cameras. They need to be slightly taller and have a softer grip material. These legacy camera brands know a thing or two about the grips that go on cameras, so we can't knock them for being late to the party and taking forever to get their act together. Even if they were larger and heavier than what we are using today, my old cameras were easy to hold and use. The Canon EOS R, which is a cheaper camera than the A7R V, has a grip that is miles ahead of anything Sony is currently making. It has a small amount of give when you squeeze, but it is large enough for your hand.
It's still one of the best cameras money can buy.
The human interface cannot be left out as full-size cameras become more and more technically capable with automated or assisted features. The A7R V is one of the best picture-taking devices I've ever used. The way it identifies subjects even when they are turned away is a small triumph. It is something that is appreciated in my line of photography because it gives me confidence that I will get a good shot when I turn around.
We have to remember that these devices are for humans. All cameras need a grip that is going to be comfortable to hold and not feel like a torture device after being used for a long period of time. If you can make a camera that can distinguish between birds and bees, you should be able to build a camera that doesn't feel bad to hold.
Antonio G. Di Benedetto took the photographs.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
