Blimey, a 12 megapixel camera at full frame with 4K video recording? This sounds very 10 years ago but it appears that the camera morphs into a video camera by choice. The Sony A7S is the newest in their line of the A7 series and it takes a sensor thumbs down for still photography but is one up on video recording. Care to buy one for your photography endeavors?
Here is something that I think would probably work, that is if the price is right but US$800 on retail. I am not sure if I would ante up or down to one. First, let's look at the quality. Looks kinda decent all round. fast f/2.0 lens wide open. Comes standard with NFC and Wifi so you won't be losing on those sharing moments. Just tap your camera with your Samnsung Galaxy phone with NFC and the picture is automatically transferred to the smart device for sharing. Sounds like a plan!
The body alone is going to cost you US$1400 without a kit lens. The box kit lens will have you fork out more than 2 grand. Wow. Is this the future of a pro spec ILC?
As a writer cum photographer, I have done my rounds as a photojournalist whenever the call came up and for that, I have never found it as a means to make money from it. It was part of the job. People often ask me about shooting street and I tell them that you need to have a few qualities before you embark on your quest.
Though there are plenty of sensor formats, DSLRs have adopted two popular sizes from film formats, namely the 35mm and the APS. And you guess right, the APS-C sensor is a derivative of the Advance Photo System film format that was introduced in 1996. I remember seeing them and the film for this sort of camera competed against the 35mm film format. When I was hired by Sony Asia Pacific, my first question was to ask them about their stand on the sensor formats after I was told in advance of its full frame camera. The reply was simple. They needed to fragment the market to lower the cost of the cameras and sell more lenses.
APS-C sensors made by Sony were licensed to Nikon, who procured them for use in their cameras. The first full frame sensor from Sony was created to take on the immensely successful Nikon D3, 12 megapixel sensor designed by Nikon themselves. Unfortunately 24 megapixel full frame sensors do not handle low light situations very well but their dynamic range in daylight shooting is superb.
APS-C on the other hand are entry level sensors made to address the market for cheaper cameras. Even then, their capabilities shines when compared to compact camera sensors.
No Reason to go Full Frame if you are a Casual Shooter
This is true. Even Trey Ratcliff of StuckinCustoms.com has adopted the Sony NEX, an APS-C sensor for his current line of shooting. The HDR effects he creates can only be done using a Tripod, if that is the case, then why bother with Full Frame cameras?
In low light or long exposure photography, you have two choices to compensate for any hand held camera shake. Put it on a Tripod or shoot at a much higher ISO. These days, with all the added megapixels on Full Frame sensors, shooting at 6400 ISO can be a huge problem. Something has got to give when you pack so many light sensitive photo sites on a piece of wafer. Noise reduction will be more aggressive and details will be lost in the process.
HDR shooting on the other hand is only done with low ISO, and Trey has demonstrated that on his work. Of course, if you are a Pro, shooting pictures for Stock or Clients, then a full frame camera will offer you insurance in ambient lighting as you dial it up to 3200 ISO.
If you are thinking of using a DSLR, ask yourself first on what you plan to shoot with it. Full frame cameras are a joy to shoot with but are expensive to buy compared to APS-C. If you are a casual shooter, the APS-C will do just fine.
As I go back to tinkering with my film camera, people often ask me why don't I shoot digital. Well I do shoot digital. See this nice Galaxy Note...and the new iPod touch. That's my digital cameras. What about the the real deal like the MFT or DSLR kits people lug around?