Sony α7 II
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The Sony α7 II (model ILCE-7M2) is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera manufactured by Sony. It was announced on 20 November 2014 as the sequel to the original Sony α7 (model ILCE-7) and adds a 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization (generically referred to as IBIS) to its 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor. The α7 II furthers Sony's Hybrid AF system, it has 30% faster and 1.5X better tracking compared to its predecessor. From a design standpoint, additional improvements include a more rugged build quality, a new front dial, and a relocated shutter release button. It was succeeded by the Sony α7 III, announced on 26 February 2018.
While the cameras can use any E-mount lens, the image circle of APSC E-mount glass will not cover full frame. Sony has a setting to auto crop in camera or you can crop afterward to taste. Sony now has a robust lineup of first party lenses and 3rd party lenses form the likes of Chinese lens manufacturers.
The α7 II uses the Sony Bionz X processor which is based on a quad-core ARM Cortex-A5 architecture, and is used to run Android apps on top of the Linux kernel. Detail reproduction and diffraction-reducing algorythms, area-specific noise reduction and 16-bit image processing + 14-bit raw output were all innovations introduced with this processor. It can process up to 20 frames per second and features Lock-on AF and object tracking.Other features include a 3-inch, tilting LCD, XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, Multi-interface (hot) shoe, Wi-Fi with NFC, and video recording with the XAVC S codec which offers a 50Mbit/s bit rate at 1080/60p (as well as 1080/30p and 1080/24p). and a 'LOG' picture profile.
Model differences
| Model | α7 | α7R | α7S | α7 II | α7R II | α7S II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product standing | Balanced | High Resolution | High Sensitivity | Balanced Mark II | High Resolution Mark II | High Sensitivity Mark II |
| Sensor resolution | 24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS 6,000×4,000 pixels (35.80mm×23.90mm) | 36.4 Mpx Exmor CMOS 7,360×4,912 pixels (35.90mm×24.00mm) | 12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS 4,240×2,832 pixels (35.80mm×23.90mm) | 24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS 6,000×4,000 pixels (35.80mm×23.90mm) | 42.4 Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS 7,952×5,304 pixels (35.90mm×24.00mm) | 12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS 4,240×2,832 pixels (35.80mm×23.90mm) |
| ISO range | Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200 | Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200 | Native ISO 100 - 102400 Expanded ISO 50 - 409600 | Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200 | Native ISO 100 - 25600 Expanded ISO 50 - 102400 | Native ISO 100 - 102400 Expanded ISO 50 - 409600 |
| Autofocus | 25 point contrast-detection w/ 117 points phase-detection | 25 point contrast-detection | 25 point contrast-detection | 25 point contrast-detection w/ 117 points phase-detection | 25 point contrast-detection w/ 399 points phase-detection | 169 point contrast-detection |
| Maximum flash sync speed | 1/250 | 1/160 | 1/250 | 1/250 | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Max Continuous Shooting | 5 frame/s | 4 frame/s | 5 frame/s | 5 frame/s | 5 frame/s | 5 frame/s |
| In-body image stabilization | No | 5-axis | ||||
| Flash Exposure Lock | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Electronic shutter mode | First-curtain only | No | First-curtain and Silent shutter | First-curtain only | First-curtain and Silent shutter | First-curtain and Silent shutter |
| Gapless on-chip lens | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Live-view Tethered Capture | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom minimum shutter speed at Auto ISO | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Flexible Spot with Lock on AF | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Eye-AF | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| AF Sensitivity | 0 ~ 20 EV | 0 ~ 20 EV | -4 ~ 20 EV | -1 ~ 20 EV | -2 ~ 20 EV | -4 ~ 20 EV |
| Metering Sensitivity | 0 ~ 20 EV | 0 ~ 20 EV | -3 ~ 20 EV | -1 ~ 20 EV | -3 ~ 20 EV | -3 ~ 20 EV |
| User Custom Buttons | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Monitor Resolution | 921.6 K | 1,228.8 K | ||||
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.78× | ||||
| Video record format | MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s) 1080p | MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (50 Mbit/s) 1080p | MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (100 Mbit/s) 4K video | |||
| Video sampling | Line skipping | Line skipping | Full-pixel readout | Line skipping | Pixel-binning at Full Format Full-pixel readout at Super 35 | Full-pixel readout |
| Slow motion video record | No | No | Yes (720p, 120fps) | No | Yes (720p, 120fps) | Yes (1080p, 120fps) |
| HDMI Output | 4K still and 1080p video | 4K still and 1080p video | 4K still and 4K video | 4K still and 1080p video | 8K still and 4K video | 4K still and 4K video |
| Video Light mode | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Professional Video edit | No | No | Picture Profile w/CineGamma, Timecode, Userbit | |||
| Body material | Combi. of magnesium alloy and polycarbonate | Full magnesium alloy chassis and polycarb bayonet mount. | Full magnesium alloy chassis and stainless steel bayonet mount. | |||
| Other features | Hybrid autofocus system | No optical Low-pass filter | Full-pixel readout video at Full Format | Hybrid autofocus system | Hybrid autofocus system, No optical Low-pass filter | Full-pixel readout video at Full Format |
| Phase-detection AF on non-native lenses | Only A-mount lenses with LA-EA2 and LA-EA4 | Yes (Firmware update) | Yes | Only with LA-EA2/4 | ||
| Operate while USB charging | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Battery-life (CIPA standards) | 340 shots | 340 shots | 380 shots | 350 shots | 340 shots | 370 shots |
| Weight | 416 g | 407 g | 446 g | 556 g | 582 g | 584 g |
| Dimension | 127×94×48mm | 127×96×60mm | 126.9x95.7x60.3mm | |||
| Announced | 16 October 2013 | 6 April 2014 | 20 November 2014 | 10 June 2015 | 11 September 2015 |
See also
- Comparison of Sony α7 cameras
- List of Sony E-mount cameras
- List of Sony E-mount lenses
- Sony α6500
- Sony α7 III
- Sony α9