I've done it...

That's all true of course. Indeed for portrait orientation the flip out screen is best. As far as orientation goes, I suppose that is a matter of personal preference. I prefer street shooting in landscape orientation and the screen inline with the lense at waist height like an old view camera. But that is probably just me being the "old fart" that I am!   
The A7rV screen is the best of all worlds and I hope most future cameras have that screen. Of course it does add a bit of thickness to the camera.
And I do keep the screen turned in when in my bag as I do with my old A99.

Harm vb wrote: Nice one, "as a tourist": just buy an A6xx with some basic lenses, that will do as well.

Have considered it, but I’d also need extra wide angle lenses for the APS-C mount, so it becomes a more expensive option. And I’m trying to avoid buying new lenses at the moment

LAbernethy wrote: Well reasoned to stay with the same full frame mount. I would think you would opt for the a7iv. Latest technology, same battery as your A1, could be used as a back-up to your A1, just a few $ more than a a7cii and less than half the cost of the A1.

That’s the other direction I’ve been thinking of. An ɑ7iv would be a better backup for the ɑ1. But obviously more expensive. And it may be better to just save the dollars and see what the new ɑ7v looks like. It may be an even better backup for the ɑ1. And I wouldn’t have the concern of carrying an $NZ10,000 camera to take tourist snaps.

AudioDoc wrote: I think it's not a bad idea at all for that purpose. I have never had a problem with the old menu system. You probably are going to have everything customized anyway and will seldom have to dig into the menus.

Thanks Kelly, yeah, I don’t mind the older menu system as I got quite used to it. I am tending to get something with the newer NP-FZ100 battery. It adds to the stash of batteries I have with the ɑ1 and I do rather like IBIS.

It feels like the ɑ7c is a good, if not compelling option. It’s the cheapest option and compact, and would be fine for travel. But it doesn’t ‘add’ a lot to my kit other than that. Other, new cameras would work better as a backup for the ɑ1.

addy landzaat wrote: But if you want the A7c, you want the A7c Two things to take into account: the EVF is not that good and the articulating screen will take some time to get used to.

Also the position of EVF in α7C series and α6x00 APS-C models might be something that requires getting used to. Whenever I have tested these cameras, it has somehow bothered me, give me any α7/α9/α1 and it feels much more natural to look at the viewfinder.

LAbernethy wrote: Sound reasoning if your tourist adventure is off in the future. Waiting on the next model with Sony, I've decided is a fools game, I waited for the a77iii and a99iii to no avail. If Sony sticks to it'd design obsolescence pattern the battery will be changing with the a7v, if there is an a7v.

Sony has been pretty good at updating its E-mount series cameras however, and Sony Alpha Rumours is reporting that 2025 will see the α7v and α1ii. And a7v with 8 stops of stabilisation, AI for insects and focus bracketing would 'add' something to my kit that an older a7c would not. Also won't be back to China until 2025.

I did take just my phone last time (a Sony Xperia 1 IV) and it did ok in good light. But I was aware of its limitations. I've also got a Sony QX100 "clip on camera" for the phone. It's not terrible. Roughly the same era as the RX100ii but with less functions. I've used it a few times overseas. Nothing really beats a proper camera however.

@Hezu

Well, it doesn't seem like an extravagant expense. How long was the hiatus?

I've avoided the temptation of the a7c and now (start of October) have made it 14 months without a new lens purchase and 15 months without a new camera.

The A7c now has a $300 price reduction in the USA. $1298 @ B&H but its out of stock.

Wētāpunga wrote: I succumbed to the Sony a7cii instead Kelly. @LAbernethy made some good points about the a7iv, but the a7cii is a lot cheaper, and includes the newer AI autofocusing features (and focus bracketing). In most other respects it's on par with the a7iv. Decided it made a better addition to my line up as well as better for travel. So anyway, I've avoided any new *lens* purchases for a good time and this looks to remain anyway...

Congrats on the new camera camera, Wētāpunga! Good choice! It should work out nicely for your needs!