Skip to main content
Customer Review
Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2019
I'm going to write a more thorough review here but i wanted to leave my initial impressions for first 10 minutes of using the camera. none of this has to do with photography/images in this initial review.
1. bought this in amazon warehouse used department and upon receiving it, i checked shutter count and it was 5! this is basically a brand new camera. ZERO scuffing on body. absolutely pristine.
2. firmware update from 2.00 to 3.01 went smooth and sony's windows10 software utility was flawless. much better than canon's archaic process (which is easy but just archaic -- no installer)
3. SOLID feel. my hands arent huge. but after a lot of complaints i've read that its a tad too small, i think for larger male hands, it could be. only my pinky on right hand grips halfway but i use it to cradle the bottom and the left hand cradles the lens. i have no complains here. I found previous camera (5dm3 canon) was chunky and big and caused fatigue but so far this camera is much lighter and i think it will be easier on my wrist fatigue. I would say the sizing here is very similar hold to canon SL1 SL2 SL3 mini DSLR series. Very compact and travel-friendly here.
4. LOVE the button customization here. REALLY REALLY helpful. Latest accumulated firmware update 3.01 allow for more button customization functionality. I have yet to sit down and customize everything... this usually takes a good month for me, so i'll update this review completely after a good session of shots.
5. my refurbished version came with NO battery -- i am able to buy NP-FZ100 RAVPower [Upgraded] found in amazon third party sony batteries on the latest 3.01 sony camera firmware. i'm very happy because theyre better value and sony isnt making a fuss with this in their firmware. Canon LOCKS you in on canon batteries and chips them so third party batteries dont register or function well with updated firmware. I understand the reasons why canon would do this (proper camera function guarantee, and prevent breaking electronics) but for me, i prefer the company leave it to customer to take that risk. Camera companies should just log the fact that third party batteries was used on the body into NV flash (when it comes to warranty discussions).
6. Articulating LCD is really annoying... just articulates out and up and partially down facing. why bother? Sony really needed to copy canon here with FULL articulating LCD. but this is better than nothing....
7. LCD touch screen is crippled. sony firmware crippled the touchscreen interface big time. You cant touch the screen to register input. there are limited screens where your fingers can input change. the rest is dial/OK based. why? Sony again should copy canon/nikon.
8. Menu system is more or less really similar to Canon's but just poorly organized. I wish companies would adapt the UI for touch screen interface rather than carry on with same UX design and just add touchscreen here and there. I honestly feel that canon's been improving this in the recent past (especially with "Q" setting) but the industry needs to take a step back and advance the UX for touch screen.
9. I wear glasses. the VF so far is decent Dioptric adjustment is great. I think as a small tweak, i would buy a larger cup (third party eye cup around 20$ here on amazon) to get a bit more separation from LCD screen and nose as well as seal up the lighting a tad more but no complaints as is though.
That is all for now..... i'll report back after a month or two shooting around.
1. bought this in amazon warehouse used department and upon receiving it, i checked shutter count and it was 5! this is basically a brand new camera. ZERO scuffing on body. absolutely pristine.
2. firmware update from 2.00 to 3.01 went smooth and sony's windows10 software utility was flawless. much better than canon's archaic process (which is easy but just archaic -- no installer)
3. SOLID feel. my hands arent huge. but after a lot of complaints i've read that its a tad too small, i think for larger male hands, it could be. only my pinky on right hand grips halfway but i use it to cradle the bottom and the left hand cradles the lens. i have no complains here. I found previous camera (5dm3 canon) was chunky and big and caused fatigue but so far this camera is much lighter and i think it will be easier on my wrist fatigue. I would say the sizing here is very similar hold to canon SL1 SL2 SL3 mini DSLR series. Very compact and travel-friendly here.
4. LOVE the button customization here. REALLY REALLY helpful. Latest accumulated firmware update 3.01 allow for more button customization functionality. I have yet to sit down and customize everything... this usually takes a good month for me, so i'll update this review completely after a good session of shots.
5. my refurbished version came with NO battery -- i am able to buy NP-FZ100 RAVPower [Upgraded] found in amazon third party sony batteries on the latest 3.01 sony camera firmware. i'm very happy because theyre better value and sony isnt making a fuss with this in their firmware. Canon LOCKS you in on canon batteries and chips them so third party batteries dont register or function well with updated firmware. I understand the reasons why canon would do this (proper camera function guarantee, and prevent breaking electronics) but for me, i prefer the company leave it to customer to take that risk. Camera companies should just log the fact that third party batteries was used on the body into NV flash (when it comes to warranty discussions).
6. Articulating LCD is really annoying... just articulates out and up and partially down facing. why bother? Sony really needed to copy canon here with FULL articulating LCD. but this is better than nothing....
7. LCD touch screen is crippled. sony firmware crippled the touchscreen interface big time. You cant touch the screen to register input. there are limited screens where your fingers can input change. the rest is dial/OK based. why? Sony again should copy canon/nikon.
8. Menu system is more or less really similar to Canon's but just poorly organized. I wish companies would adapt the UI for touch screen interface rather than carry on with same UX design and just add touchscreen here and there. I honestly feel that canon's been improving this in the recent past (especially with "Q" setting) but the industry needs to take a step back and advance the UX for touch screen.
9. I wear glasses. the VF so far is decent Dioptric adjustment is great. I think as a small tweak, i would buy a larger cup (third party eye cup around 20$ here on amazon) to get a bit more separation from LCD screen and nose as well as seal up the lighting a tad more but no complaints as is though.
That is all for now..... i'll report back after a month or two shooting around.
