A7ii vs Canon RP

Considering going mirrorless, mainly because I would love to use some old MF glass, but my vision isn’t good enough to do so with an optical viewfinder and I would greatly appreciate the assistance of the EVF (focus peaking, etc).

That being said, the EVF is also the thing that has me hesitant to leave my DSLR… I tried the A6000 and several M4/3 cameras years ago and wasn’t ever a fan of the EVF. I know Sony set the stage for mirrorless FF and Canon took their time, but really set the stage on fire with their mirrorless FF, so I’m assuming these EVFs will blow away the primitive ones I’ve used.

I’m considering the Canon RP or Sony A7II. Trying to weigh pros and cons, but due to the age difference, there aren’t many comparisons that I’ve found. I prefer actual comparisons in RL use vs specs comparisons.

I would also like to compare differences with adapted EF/EFS lenses, both Canon and third-party.

The Sony has IBIS, which is the main point pushing me that direction…. But I love Canon colors SOOC, so that’s got me leaning towards the RP. Im trying to stay under $1000… and will consider any other recommendations as well that can be found under that price point.

I sold RP and no plans to get back to EVF. It has to be 3-5 MP EVF, to be just OK for me. RP EVF resolution was not thrilling at all.
If you want to improve your expirince with eyes condition and OK with zebra, not zoom focusing, MF is not needed.
If you could see zebra on the object and its edges, you should be able to see AF point selected.
Canon AF lenses selection is inferior to what is availible for Sony. But I'm not sure if A7II supports third party AF lenses.
Adding AF EF lenses on RP makes entire rig looks just ugly and so is with MF SLR lenses.
To me it was only balanced, not ugly with original RF lenses, but RP sensor is not good enough for wide and old RF lenses or RF lenses with protruding rear elements.
Also RP has no weather sealing at all and its battery life is way too short if you are actively using camera. It is OK on power saving mode and one shot once in a while. And EVF takes more power than via screen.

If you have vision issues looking into a conventional Optical viewfinder, you will have similar issues looking into EVF! Both viewfinders will require your eyes to focus at an apparent distance of about 30"- 1m (brand dependent usually), and that is why so many eyepieces have a built-in diiopter strength control, rather than requiring the replacement lens attachment found in SLRs from 50 years ago.

Be aware that over the years, the EVF has increased the number of pixels in the EVF display, and have also increase the EVF refresh rate from 60Hz to 90Hz or 120Hz. The pixel count in the EVF is about the same as the Olympus EM-1 (2.4MPixels), if you experienced that. The Canon RP is the 1st generation offering from Canon, and its EVF is not as rapid refresh as the R5/R6 and little is disclosed by Canon about the RP refresh rate....slower rate typically translates to a bit of lag in what you see vs. where the object really is, as it moves across the scene or as you pan across the screen. The default rate can be slowed via Power Saving mode, but that accentuates the laggy/stuttering appearance in the EVF display.

Wilt wrote in post #19381029
If you have vision issues looking into a conventional Optical viewfinder, you will have similar issues looking into EVF! Both viewfinders will require your eyes to focus at an apparent distance of about 30"- 1m (brand dependent usually), and that is why so many eyepieces have a built-in diiopter strength control, rather than requiring the replacement lens attachment found in SLRs from 50 years ago.

Be aware that over the years, the EVF has increased the number of pixels in the EVF display, and have also increase the EVF refresh rate from 60Hz to 90Hz or 120Hz. The pixel count in the EVF is about the same as the Olympus EM-1 (2.4MPixels), if you experienced that. The Canon RP is the 1st generation offering from Canon, and its EVF is not as rapid refresh as the R5/R6 and little is disclosed by Canon about the RP refresh rate....slower rate typically translates to a bit of lag in what you see vs. where the object really is, as it moves across the scene or as you pan across the screen. The default rate can be slowed via Power Saving mode, but that accentuates the laggy/stuttering appearance in the EVF display.

Appreciate the info. The issue isn't necessarily seeing the viewfinder, but differentiating accurate focus with shallow DOF. I tend to miss focus slightly with my 6D when using MF lenses and using the optical viewfinder. I could use liveview, but hate holding the camera out in front of me.

Ended up picking up an A7Rii, Sigma MC-11 & Tamron 28-75/2.8. Converter works great with my Canon 50 & 15-30/2.8. I'm loving the focus peaking and focus magnification options when using my old MF 135/2.8 & 300/5.6, getting the 300 in accurate focus on the 6D was nearly impossible, but very doable with the focus magnification in the EVF.

Battery life has left a bit to be desired, but I knew that coming in and I've been using the in-camera WiFI to play with the settings/transfer pics/etc the last day while learning my way around the camera.

I still prefer the feel of the optical viewfinder, but I appreciate the convenience and extra abilities of the EVF.