Sony a7R

The Sony a7R arrived in 2013 as a compact full-frame mirrorless camera. Its 36-megapixel sensor pairs high resolution with a body that weighs just 465 g.

That balance suits photographers who care more about detail than speed. Landscape, portrait and product work play to its strengths, while the maximum 4 fps rate makes fast action a weaker fit.

Day to day it is easy to carry. The body measures 127 x 94 x 48 mm, and built-in WiFi gives the camera a wireless connection option.

At the heart of the a7R sits a 36-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. That resolution gives room for large prints, heavy cropping and fine texture, which is the main reason to pick this camera. The Bionz X processor handles the files that follow.

Autofocus uses 25 points. The maximum continuous rate is 4 fps, so this is a camera for considered shooting rather than bursts.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so sharp handheld results depend on your shutter speed and on optical stabilisation if your lens offers it. The ISO range runs from 100 to 25600 and the shutter reaches 1/8000, so you can keep working in dim and bright conditions alike.

Framing goes through a 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder that gives a detailed live preview. The Sony FE mount means the camera works with the full-frame lens system built for these bodies.

Video resolution tops out at Full HD, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps, so there is no 4K option. That specification earns the camera a modest video score of 56, placing it around the middle of cameras in our database for Video.

Full HD remains enough for everyday clips, social media and family footage, and the 60 fps maximum keeps ordinary motion looking smooth.

Footage records in AVCHD 2.0 or MP4, so you can match the file format to your editing software or sharing plans.

There is no built-in timelapse mode, so interval sequences need external triggering or assembly afterwards. For a stills-first camera, the video tools are serviceable rather than deep.

The 3-inch LCD carries 1,230,000 dots, so playback and menus look crisp. It flips too, which helps with compositions at waist height or above a crowd. There is no touch input, so settings change through the buttons and dials instead.

The body is weather sealed, which helps it tolerate dust and damp. Sealing is not waterproofing, so heavy rain still calls for care.

No flash is built in, but an external flash is supported when you need extra light.

GPS and Bluetooth are absent, and there is no touch input. The features score of 57 is modest, and the absent touchscreen and Bluetooth cost it points. WiFi is the main connective feature here.

A single card slot takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, or Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. With no second slot there is no in-camera backup, so carry enough capacity for the whole shoot.

The NP-FW50 battery is rated for 340 shots per charge. That is a specification figure, so longer sessions will want charged spares in the bag.

There is no USB charging, so you cannot top the battery up from a laptop or power bank while out. Plan charging around that limitation.

The storage and battery score of 21 is limited, and it comes down to these three things: one slot, a modest battery rating and no USB charging. Planning around batteries and cards is simply part of owning this camera.