Sony's compact full-frame duo (pictures)

Despite the ILCE model nomenclature, the A7 and A7R's bodies bear more similarity to the NEX-7, which they replace, than the cheap ILCE-A3000.

The cameras seemingly offer all the controls an experienced photographer would want, including three adjustment dials, a dedicated exposure-compensation dial, and nine programmable buttons that can be associated with one of 46 operations. The user interface is also improved over the NEX experience, with a combination of Sony's Quick Navi control panel operation and more a streamlined version of the NEX menus. The EVF is quite nice.

Although Sony introduced the full-frame E-mount VG-900 camcorder a year ago, we're finally seeing the debut of the Full E-mount (FE) lenses, which are actually designed for the full-frame cameras. The mount still accommodates standard E-mount lenses, though your choices are to crop to 10mp (A7) and 15mp (A7R) or retain the vignetting. This is the new 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 FE kit lens.

In conjunction with the cameras, Sony is replacing its current LA-EA A-to-E-mount adapters; the new offerings have larger openings to accommodate the full-frame sensors.

The cameras are much bulkier than standard compact digital cameras, or indeed Sony's interchangeable lens NEX cameras. They're the smallest interchangeable lens cameras with a full-frame sensor, though.

You'll need this adapter to use Sony's standard lenses. It's not tiny by any means, but it won't take up a lot of room in your camera bag.

Three new lenses will be available for the camera that are specifically designed for use with full-frame sensors.

That's a full-frame sensor stuffed inside. It's much bigger than the sensors you'd typically find inside compact digital cameras, allowing for greater dynamic range and lower image noise.

There's a 3-inch OLED viewfinder on the back of both models.

Both models offer full manual control over all settings as well as automatic and scene modes if you don't want to play around with the dials.

The layout is identical to the previous full-frame compact, the RX1, which I found to be simple to operate.

There are inputs for mics and headphones -- handy for capturing professional audio.

It's larger than Sony's NEX range of interchangeable lens cameras, but it's much smaller than full-frame digital SLRs.

Here's the 35mm sensor. It's not really much use by itself.