Why I Won't Yet Buy A Sony A Series Digital SLR

Here is a screenshot of UK photographer Gareth Danks showing why he went back to using his Fujifilm cameras.  He is holding his Sony A7III to illustrate how uncomfortable the camera is to use.  He explains how his fingers rub on the lens and irritate and chafe his skin.  Sorry for the poor quality, this image is a screen shot from his YouTube channel on my iPad.

As a disclaimer, I don't own a Sony A Series Mirrorless camera.  I haven't used one either.  So, I'm not one to make a judgment about what is right nor wrong about them or if they are right for you. That is your decision.  But I've been very interested in them and have been following the progress of Sony's A series cameras since they were first introduced.  In fact, I've been tempted to buy one.  During my research I hear good things and bad things about them.  Again, since I haven't owned nor used one I can't judge. But, to be balanced, I'll pass on to you what I read and hear that actual users say, good and bad.

On the positive side, what I hear most often is that the image quality and dynamic range is superb.  I don't think there is any doubt about that from the scientific tests conducted by DXOMark or Photons to Photos.  The second positive attribute I hear quite often is about the focusing abilities and how good tracking and "eye tracking" is.  Third, the prices Sony sets for their cameras are terrific.  They are putting a lot of pressure on other manufacturers to lower prices and that is good for all of us.  Lots of good about Sony cameras, it seems.

On the negative side, the three things I hear and read most are 1) the ergonomics of the cameras, which I illustrate here, 2) the menu system and how poor some feel it is and 3) the cost of the FE lenses.

I've heard and read repeated complaints that individuals with average or large hands get their knuckles rubbed raw just by the close proximity of the lens to the grip.  There is little room for your fingers to fit between them.  Evidently, Sony went for as small a mirrorless full frame camera as they could engineer but is there such a thing as too small?  Absolutely.  This issue is the result of buying into the hype of mirrorless having to be as small as possible.  As for the menu system, I've repeatedly read and heard about what a mess it is and how you may have to go to multiple pages just to change one setting.  I believe some focus settings are particularly tedious to set.

This is a crop from the image above giving you a little closer look.  This is
what happens when you make a full frame camera too small.  I guess Sony
engineers forgot it is the size of the lenses that can't be altered and still
cover the 43mm diagonal of a full frame image.  For the sake of smallness,
Sony engineers really hampered a great series of cameras, in my opinion.

I believe that every digital camera today will give you excellent image quality.  Some will give you more pixels with which to work, some will focus faster, some have more features than others, some can shoot in extremely low light and retain little noise and excellent quality.  All that is well and good, in my view.  As time passes for me, and as good as all the digital cameras are today, what seems to become the most meaningful to me is how the camera feels, handles and how easily it will let me do what I need it to do.  My goal is to use a camera that is an extension of my hand and brain.  Being able to use it an not have to think about how to change settings.  I want to pick up and use my camera not struggle with it in any way.  As I said, all of them will give me a great image.

The Sonys in particular seem to be comparatively poorly engineered ergonomically which makes haptics and quick operation suffer. Also, when it comes to finding and changing menu settings, from the videos I've watched of presenters setting up their Sony cameras, it seems to be a daunting task.  That, to me, eliminates them as a camera that is highly desirable.  If Sony were to widen the space between the grip and the lens mount and change their menu system to be as easy to use as Fujifilm's, Nikon's or Canon's, I could put their cameras right up there at the top of my list of desirability!  We'll just have to wait and see what the next generation brings.

As for lens prices, I think they have to come down now that Nikon and Canon have jumped into the full frame mirrorless game.  Additionally, Sigma's and Tamron's recent lens introductions have to put downward pressure on Sony's pricing structure.  I think there is hope for Sony camera and lens users to see lower and more competitive prices in the future.  There is no doubt that Sony's G Master lenses are excellent, by all accounts.  With no competition in the past, Sony was able to price those at will.  I think that will change in the near future.

My questions for you are these?  What is the most important aspect of a digital camera to you?  Are the number of pixels most important?  Is sensor size most important?  Is overall image quality most important?  Is fast focusing most important?  Is high ISO use most important?  Are lots and lots of features most important?  Is the feel of the camera in your hands, the buttons and dials that are provided and the way they are laid out most important?  Is ease of use of the menu system most important?  Is lens selection most important?  Is price most important?  Is size and weight most important?  Are a combination or two or more of these things equally important?  

There are many things to consider, ranked based upon each photographers needs and personal preferences, when buying a new camera.  What is it that you will look for the next time you are in the market for a digital camera?  The cameras today certainly aren't inexpensive and a buying decision is a big one.

I'm hoping Sony will make their next generation of camera bodies just a tad larger for the benefit of those photographers who want to buy one, with all their goodness, but hesitate due to them being too small and uncomfortable.  I also think Sony needs to hire someone from the outside to come in with "fresh eyes" and look at their menu system and propose a series of redesigns to improve their usability.  If those two things happen, Sony should continue to grow and please their customer base.

Balancing the items that users say are good versus the items user say are not so good, for me, the ergonomics, handling and ease of use outweigh the positive attributes that I mentioned above.  I can get outstanding image quality from just about all digital cameras today and I very rarely need fast focusing, but I do put a premium on how a camera feels in my hand, how easy it is to use and how it just becomes transparent when I'm in a fast changing situation.  For example, my Fujifilm cameras fill all my important criteria nicely for me.  For now, I'll stay with the gear I own as it suits my photographic purposes perfectly.  But, I'll be watching Sony in the future to see how they can improve their offerings.

In the end, its all good for us photographers today!

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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