Sony Alpha a7S II – Out of darkness cometh light!

Product Summary

  • Release Date: 11 September 2015
  • Focus Type: Autofocus / Manual
  • Format : Full Frame
  • Mounts: Sony
  • Availability: November 2015
  • Price: $2,999.00
  • Purchase options: AdoramaB&H

Key features

  • Combination of 35mm full-frame 12.2 MP image sensor and BIONZ X image processing engine
  • Fast Intelligent AF to -4 EV
  • Ultra-high sensitivity up to ISO 50-409600 with low noise across the whole range
  • Wide dynamic range across entire ISO range delivering smooth tonal gradation from dark to bright conditions
  • 0.5″ 2.36m-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
  • In-camera 5-axis optical image stabilisation for expanded shooting possibilities
  • Internal 4K movie recording featuring full pixel readout without pixel binning in full-frame format
  • Wide range of professional movie functionality including S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3, new Gamma Assist Display, enhanced Zebra Function, Full HD 120fps recording and 4x/5x slow motion recording and full pixel readout without pixel binning in full-frame format
  • High-speed AF with enhanced accuracy in wide ranging scenes and advanced shooting functions

Features (press)

Sony α7S II offers ultra-high sensitivity and wide dynamic range across the entire ISO range (50-409600), the α7S II delivers stunning image quality for photographers who shoot in the most challenging light conditions. Be it the brightest of mornings or darkest of nights, the α7S II enables new levels of photographic expression at whatever shutter speed you wish to deploy. The α7SII also incorporates a host of pro-style movie functions including the ability to shoot 4K video with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in full-frame format, making it an extremely appealing proposition for photographers and videographers alike.

The α7S II delivers an awe-inspiring sensitivity range of ISO 50-409600, thanks to the combination of its 35mm full-frame 12.2 megapixel image sensor and BIONZ X image processing engine. The sensor optimises the dynamic range across the entire ISO range and broadens the range of tonal gradation in bright environments and minimises noise in dark scenes meaning that it delivers impressive results even in the most extreme conditions. The upgraded image processing algorithm of BIONZ X maximises the sensor’s capabilities and improves depiction throughout the full sensitivity range with particular emphasis on the mid-to-high range. This means that the resulting stills and movies demonstrate extra-fine detail with minimal noise.

Video Master

The α7S II can record 4K movies internally in the XAVC S format meaning that content is wonderfully detailed. Because information from all pixels is utilised without line skipping or pixel binning, the camera can maximise the expanded power of the full-frame image sensor and produce 4K movies with higher image clarity and negligible moiré. Full pixel readout without pixel binning is also employed when shooting Full HD movies which means that it collects information from approximately five times as many pixels that are required to generate Full HD and condenses the information to produce extremely high quality movies.

In a first for the α7 series, the α7S IIcan record 120fps at 100Mbps with full pixel readout without pixel binning in full frame format which can be edited into wonderful 4x/5x slow motion footage in Full HD. The α7S II also has the ability to shoot 4x/5x slow motion footage internally which can be immediately reviewed on the camera screen.

Video functionality has been further enhanced with new profiles; S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3 and S-Gamut3/S-Log3. These new profiles deliver wide dynamic range and colour correction is easier to perform. The α7S ll even offers impressive 14-stop latitude in the S-Log3 gamma setting. The camera also supports S-Gamut/S-Log2 which is very popular among cinematographers and videographers. Gamma Display Assist is a new function that allows users to monitor images or check focus when recording S-Log movies and the Zebra function has been improved for even greater control.

5-Axis Image Stabilisation

The new α7S II is equipped with the innovative 5-axis image stabilisation system that is proving extremely popular in the α7 II and α7R II cameras. The system corrects camera shake along five axes during shooting, including angular shake (pitch and yaw) which has the greatest impact on image quality and tends to occur with a telephoto lens, shift shake (X and Y axes) which becomes noticeable as magnification increases, and rotational shake (roll) that often affects night shooting or video recording.

Autofocus accuracy

The autofocus system on the α7S II has been upgraded and now offers 169 AF points for fast, precise focusing with greater accuracy. The power of the image sensor means that the absence of noise in images generated, enables the Fast Intelligent AF to detect contrast more easily and react speedily even in low-light situations (as low as EV-4), when it’s even tough to check with the naked eye. When shooting video, the AF performance is twice as fast as the predecessor model.

Electronic Viewfinder

The XGA OLED Tru-Finder in the α7S II has been upgraded and offers the world’s highest viewfinder magnification of 0.78x (roughly 38.5 degrees in diagonal field of view) and shows clear images across the entire display area. The use of ZEISS T* Coating ensures sharp reduction of reflections on the viewfinder and unlike an optical viewfinder, the OLED Tru-Finder can be used to instantly show how exposure compensation, white balance and other selected settings are affecting the displayed image.

User upgrades

A number of enhancements have been made to the look and feel of the α7S II to make it more user friendly, reliable and intuitive. Its magnesium-alloy body is both light and highly robust and the grip and shutter buttons have been re-designed so that the camera feels more natural in the hand. For situations when you just want to blend into the background, silent shooting mode can be activated for 5fps continuous shooting and reliability has been enhanced with reduced-vibration shutter movement.The lens mount has been further reinforced to ensure greater resilience, particularly when attaching third party lenses and users can now charge the camera via a USB power supply whilst the camera is in operation, thus extending battery life. For greater comfort and safety, Sony is also launching the LCS-EBF; a new premium leather body case for the α7S II which is also compatible with the α7R II and α7 II.

Others

The α7S II is also Wi-Fi® and NFC compatible and fully functional with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile application available for Android™ and iOS™ platforms, as well as Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps, which add a range of fun creative capabilities to the camera.

Product Photos

Sony A7sII - Back

Sony A7sII - Top

Sony A7sII - Bottom
Sony A7sII - Side 1

Sony A7sII - Side 2

Sony A7sII - LCD

Sample 4k Movie

Sample Images

Specifications

Camera type Interchangeable-lens digital camera
Lens mount E-mount
Type 35 mm full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm), Exmor CMOS sensor
Number of pixels (effective) Approx. 12.2 megapixels
Number of pixels (total) Approx. 12.4 megapixels
Image sensor aspect ratio 3:2
Anti-dust system Charge protection coating on optical filter and image sensor shift mechanism
Recording format JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Image size (pixels) [3:2 aspect ratio] 35 mm full frame L: 4240 x 2832 (12M), M: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), S: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M)
APS-C L: 2768 x 1848 (5.1M), M: 2128 x 1416 (3.0M), S: 1376 x 920 (1.3M)
[16:9 aspect ratio] 35mm full frame L: 4240 x 2384 (10M), M: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), S: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M)
APS-C L: 2768 x 1560 (4.3M), M: 2128 x 1200 (2.6M), S: 1376 x 776 (1.1M)
[Sweep Panorama] Wide: Horizontal 12416 x 1856 (23M), vertical 5536 x 2160 (12M), Standard: Horizontal 8192 x 1856 (15M), vertical 3872 x 2160 (8.4M)
Image quality modes RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Extra fine, JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard
RAW output 14 bit
Picture Effect 13 modes: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R, G, B, Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration
Creative Style Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia (Contrast -3 to +3 steps, Saturation -3 to +3 steps, Sharpness -3 to +3 steps) (Style Box 1-6 also provided)
Dynamic range functions Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level (1–5)), Auto High Dynamic Range: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure Difference Level (1.0-6.0 EV, 1.0 EV step)
Color space sRGB standard (with sYCC gamut) and Adobe RGB standard compatible with TRILUMINOS™ Color
Recording format XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4
Video compression XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio recording format XAVC S: LPCM, 2ch
AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Image size (pixels) [NTSC] XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160 (30p/100Mbps, 30p/60Mbps, 24p/100Mbps, 24p/60Mbps)
XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080 (60p/50Mbps, 30p/50Mbps, 24p/50Mbps, 120p/100Mbps, 120p/60Mbps)
AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (60p/28Mbps/PS, 60i/24Mbps/FX, 60i/17Mbps/FH, 24p/24Mbps/FX, 24p/17Mbps/FH)
MP4: 1920 x 1080 (60p/28Mbps, 30p/16Mbps), 1280 x 720 (30p/6Mbps)
[PAL] XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160 (25p/100Mbps, 25p/60Mbps)
XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080 (50p/50Mbps, 25p/50Mbps, 100p/100Mbps, 100p/60Mbps)
AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (50p/28Mbps/PS, 50i/24Mbps/FX, 50i/17Mbps/FH, 25p/24Mbps/FX, 25p/17Mbps/FH)
MP4: 1920 x 1080 (50p/28Mbps, 25p/16Mbps), 1280 x 720 (25p/6Mbps)
High Frame Rate Recording [NTSC] 1920 x 1080 (24p/12Mbps, 30p/16Mbps)
[PAL] 1920 x 1080 (25p/16Mbps)
Picture Profile Yes (Off / PP1-PP9) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2, S-Log3), Black Gamma, Knee, Color Mode (Movie, Still, Cinema, Pro, ITU709 Matrix, White&Black, S-Gamut, S-Gamut3.Cine, S-Gamut3), Saturation, Color Phase, Color Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset
Movie functions Audio Level Display, Audio Rec Level, Auto Slow Shutter, HDMI info. Display (On/Off selectable), Time Code/User Bit, Picture Profile, Creative Style, Picture Effect, Rec Control, Dual Video Rec, Marker Setting, PAL/NTSC Selector, Gamma Display Assist
Color space xvYCC standard (x.v.Color when connected via HDMI cable) compatible with TRILUMINOS™ Color
[NTSC] 3840 x 2160 (30p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60p/24p) / 1920 x 1080 (60i), YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit
[PAL] 3840 x 2160 (25p) / 1920 x 1080 (50p) / 1920 x 1080 (50i), YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit
Media Memory Stick PRO Duo,Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo,Memory Stick Micro (M2),SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant), microSD memory card, microSDHC memory card, microSDXC memory card
Slot Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/ SD memory card
Noise reduction Long exposure NR: On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec., High ISO NR: Normal/Low/Off selectable
Multi Frame NR Auto/ISO 100 to 409600
Modes Auto WB/Daylight/Shade/Cloudy/Incandescent/Fluorescent (Warm White/Cool White/Day White/Daylight)/Flash/Color Temperature (2500 to 9900K) & Color Filter (G7 to M7: 57 steps, A7 to B7: 29 steps)/Custom/Underwater
AWB micro adjustment G7 to M7 (57 steps), A7 to B7 (29 steps)
Bracketing 3 frames, H/L selectable
Type Contrast-detection AF
Focus point 169 points (contrast-detection AF)
Sensitivity range EV -4 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)
AF modes Single-shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus
Focus area Wide (169 points for contrast-detection AF) / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Zone / Expand Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expand Flexible Spot)
Other features Lock-on AF, Eye AF, Focus lock; Eye-Start AF and AF micro adjustment (both only available with optional LA-EA2 or LA-EA4 attached), AF illuminator (built-in, LED type, range: Approx. 0.30-3m), AF ON
Metering type 1200-zone evaluative metering
Metering sensor Exmor CMOS sensor
Metering sensitivity EV -3 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)
Metering modes Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure modes AUTO (iAUTO, Superior Auto), Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Scene Selection, Sweep Panorama, Movie / High Frame Rate (Programmed AE (P) / Aperture priority (A) / Shutter-speed priority (S) / Manual (M) )
Scene Selection Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur
Exposure compensation +/-5.0 EV (in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps), with exposure compensation dial: +/-3.0 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
AE bracketing Bracket: Single/Bracket: Cont., 3/5/9 frames selectable. With 3 or 5 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 EV increments, with 9 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1.0 EV increments.
AE lock Available with AE lock button. Locked when shutter button is pressed halfway. Can be disabled from the Menu.
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) Still images: ISO 100-102400 (expandable to ISO 50-409600), AUTO (ISO 100-12800, selectable lower limit and upper limit), Movies: ISO 100-102400 equivalent (expandable to ISO 100-409600), AUTO (ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit)
Type XGA OLED, 1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (color)
Total number of dots 2,359,296 dots
Brightness control Auto/Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2)
Color temperature control Manual (5 steps)
Field coverage 100%
Magnification Approx. 0.78x (with 50 mm lens at infinity, -1 m-1)
Diopter adjustment -4.0 to +3.0 m-1
Eye point Approx. 23mm from the eyepiece lens, 18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1(CIPA standard)
Display Graphic Display / Display All Info. / No Disp. Info. / Histogram / Digital Level Gauge
Real-time image-adjustment display On/Off
Type 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT drive
Total number of dots 1,228,800 dots
Brightness control Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2), Sunny Weather mode
Adjustable Angle Up approx. 107 degrees, down approx. 41 degrees
Display selector (Finder/LCD) Auto/Manual
Display Graphic Display / Display All Info. / No Disp. Info. / Histogram / Digital Level Gauge / Shooting information for viewfinder mode
Real-time image-adjustment display On/Off
Focus magnifier 35 mm full frame: 4.2x, 8.3x, APS-C: 2.7x, 5.4x
Zebra Yes (selectable level + range or lower limit as custom setting)
Peaking MF Yes (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow)
Face detection On / On (Regist. Faces) / Off, Face registration, Face selection (Max. number of detectable faces: 8)
Auto Object Framing Yes
Clear Image Zoom [Still Image/Movie] Approx. 2x
Digital zoom Smart zoom (still images) M: Approx. 1.5x, S: Approx. 2.0x
Digital zoom (still images) Approx. 4x
Digital zoom (movies) Approx. 4x
PlayMemories Camera Apps Yes
Lens compensation Peripheral shading, chromatic aberration, distortion
Zoom Ring Rotate Yes
Type Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Shutter speed Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec., Bulb
Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 step)
NTSC: Up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto Slow Shutter mode)
PAL: Up to 1/50 in AUTO mode (up to 1/25 in Auto Slow Shutter mode)
Flash sync. speed 1/250 sec.
Electronic front curtain shutter Yes, On/Off
Silent Shooting Yes, On/Off
Type Image Sensor-Shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation (Compensation depends on lens specifications)
Compensation effect 4.5 steps (Based on CIPA standard. Pitch/Yaw shake only. With Sonnar T* FE 55 mm F1.8 ZA lens mounted. Long exposure NR off)
Control Pre-flash TTL
Flash compensation +/-3.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV stops)
Flash bracketing 3/5/9 frames selectable. With 3 or 5 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 EV increments, with 9 frames, in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0 EV increments.
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync*1, Wireless*1
External flash Sony α System Flash compatible with Multi Interface Shoe. Attach the shoe adaptor for flash compatible with Auto-lock Accessory Shoe.
FE level lock Yes
Drive modes Single shooting, Continuous shooting, Speed Priority Continuous shooting, Self-timer, Self-timer (Cont.), Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance, DRO)
Self-timer 10 sec. delay/5 sec. delay/2 sec. delay/Continuous self-timer (3 frames after 10 sec. delay/5 frames after 10 sec. delay/3 frames after 5 sec. delay/5 frames after 5 sec. delay/3 frames after 2 sec. delay/5 frames after 2 sec. delay)/Bracketing self-timer (Off/2 sec. delay/5 sec. delay/10 sec. delay)
Speed (approx., max.)*2 Speed Priority Continuous shooting: Max. 5fps, Continuous shooting: Max. 2.5fps
No. of recordable frames*2(approx.) Speed Priority Continuous shooting: 64 frames (JPEG Extra Fine L), 200 frames (JPEG Fine L), 200 frames (JPEG Standard L), 31 frames (RAW), 26 frames (RAW & JPEG) Continuous shooting: 100 frames (JPEG Extra Fine L), 200 frames (JPEG Fine L), 200 frames (JPEG Standard L), 59 frames (RAW), 34 frames (RAW & JPEG)
Modes Single (with or without shooting information, Y RGB histogram & highlight/shadow warning), 9/25-frame index view, Enlarged display mode (Maximum magnification L: 13.3x, M: 8.7x, S: 6.7x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec, off), Image orientation (Auto/Manual/Off selectable), Slideshow, Panorama scrolling, Folder selection (Still / Date / MP4 / AVCHD / XAVC S HD / XAVC S 4K), Forward/Rewind (Movie), Delete, Protect
PC interface Mass-storage, MTP, PC remote
Multi/Micro USB Terminal Yes*3
Wireless LAN (built-in) Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz band)*4 Playback of still images and movies on smartphones, PCs and TVs
NFC™ Yes (NFC Forum Type 3 Tag compatible, One-touch remote, One-touch sharing)
HD output HDMI micro connector (Type-D), BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD, 4K movie output, 4K still image playback
Multi Interface Shoe Yes
Others Auto-lock Accessory Shoe compatible with supplied shoe adaptor, Microphone terminal (3.5 mm Stereo minijack), Headphone terminal (3.5 mm Stereo minijack), Vertical Grip Connector
Microphone Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-XYST1M / XLR-K2M (sold separately)
Speaker Built-in, monaural
Compatible standards Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, DPOF setting
Type Custom key settings, Programmable setting
Memory function Yes (2 sets)
Battery Rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50
Still images Approx. 310 shots (viewfinder) / Approx. 370 shots (LCD screen) (CIPA standard)
Movies Actual*5*6: Approx. 55 min. (viewfinder) / Approx. 60 min. (LCD screen) (CIPA standard)
Continuous*5*7: Approx. 95 min. (viewfinder) / Approx. 95 min. (LCD screen) (CIPA standard)
External power AC Adaptor AC-PW20 (optional)
Range 32–104°F/0–40°C


Purchase options

Sony α7S II - side view

Sony A7sII available at  Adorama | B&H