Sony α7R II Impressions

Sony α7R II

Sony α7R II

The Sony α7R II has been announced 10 2015 June, two years after the announcement of the model Sony α7R (announced October 16, 2013).

Key differences between the Sony α7R II and Sony α7R are:

  1. Another body. Sony has abandoned the maximum minimization of the case and has taken the path of more comfortable and larger cases. Body of Sony α7R II exactly repeats the body of the model Sony α7 II
  2. Built-in 4.5 stop image stabilizer
  3. New 42 MP Exmor R BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor. This is the first full frame BSI CMOS sensor on the market.
  4. 399 phase focus points with very wide frame coverage and focusing on the face and eyes. Previous model Sony α7R could only focus on contrast
  5. The ability to use an electronic front curtain shutter and, as a result, the Sony α7R II model is free from the shutter shock problem that the model suffered from Sony α7R. In addition, the Sony α7R II can use a fully electronic (quiet) shutter
  6. Video 4K UHD 30p, 100 mbps (Full Frame or Super 35)
  7. The basic characteristics have slightly improved: the ISO range has expanded to values ​​​​of 50-102.400, the burst speed has increased to 5 frames per second. The weight of the new camera has become more, as well as its cost

The new Exmor R BSI CMOS was very advanced for its time. True, 42 megapixels was no longer surprising, especially after 50 megapixels, which appeared in a full-frame SLR camera. Canon EOS 5Ds/5Dsrpresented just a couple of months earlier.

I like the idea that the Sony α7R II came out the way it was supposed to be originally. Sony α7R. So far, the Sony α7R II is a camera with good image quality characteristics that can compete with many newer and more modern models. The stock of its performance will be enough for more than one year. Sony α7R II can already be a partial replacement for SLR cameras with their tenacious autofocus, which was very much lacking in the model Sony α7R.

Many users complain about the peculiar color in JPEG. Most likely, the peculiar color is associated with the first use of a full-frame BSI sensor. Of the serious shortcomings in image quality, I would single out the forced transition of the camera to use 12-bit RAW format when using a fully electronic shutter, as well as during high-speed burst shooting at 5 fps and when using slow shutter speeds (bulb).

Personally, I really like the model Sony a7III and I would give up 42 MP for Sony α7R II in favor of 24 MP for Sony a7III. The latter, in general, is a more balanced solution for many photo tasks.

Sample photos #1

Examples on the lens Yongnuo YnLens YN35mm F2S DF DSM. All photos in the review are shown without processing. All photos are on-camera JPEG without any manipulations with the settings. Standard Picture Control with zero adjustments for sharpness, contrast, and saturation. All examples were shot using a lens hood.

Original RAW photos ('.ARW' compressed) can be download from this link (Google Drive, 21 photos, 800 MB 'rar' archive). Original photos in JPEG format '.JPG' can be download from this link (Google Drive, 42 photos, 400 MB 'rar' archive).

Sample photos #2

Examples on the lens Viltrox AF 24mm 1: 1.8 STM ASHP ED IF FE DF RBW. All photos in the review are shown without processing. All photos are on-camera JPEG without any manipulations with the settings. Standard Picture Control with zero adjustments for sharpness, contrast, and saturation. All examples were shot using a lens hood.

Original RAW photos ('.ARW' compressed) can be download from this link (Google Drive, 20 photos, 800 MB 'rar' archive). Original photos in JPEG format '.JPG' can be download from this link (Google Drive, 40 photos, 'rar'-archive 430 MB). Some pictures were taken with aspect ratios of 16: 9.

All Full Frame Sony E-mount Cameras

List of Sony FE lenses for these cameras

Fixes:

  1. Sony FE 14 mm F / 1.8 GM [April 2021, AliExpress price]
  2. Sony FE 20 mm F / 1.8 G [February 2020, AliExpress price]
  3. Sony FE 24 mm F / 1.4 GM [September 2018, AliExpress price]
  4. Sony FE 24 mm F / 2.8 G [March 2021, AliExpress price]
  5. Sony FE 28 mm F / 2.0 [March 2015, AliExpress price]
  6. Sony FE 35 mm F / 1.4 GM [January 2021, AliExpress price]
  7. Sony FE 35 mm F / 1.4 ZA [August 2014]
  8. Sony FE 35 mm F / 1.8 [July 2019, AliExpress price]
  9. Sony FE 35 mm F / 2.8 ZA [October 2013, AliExpress price]
  10. Sony FE 40 mm F / 2.5 G [March 2021, AliExpress price]
  11. Sony FE 50 mm F / 1.2 GM [March 2021, AliExpress price]
  12. Sony FE 50 mm F / 1.4 ZA [July 2016]
  13. Sony FE 50 mm F / 1.4 GM [February 2023]
  14. Sony FE 50 mm F / 1.8 [March 2016, AliExpress price]
  15. Sony FE 50 mm F / 2.8 Macro [August 2016]
  16. Sony FE 50 mm F / 2.5 G [March 2021]
  17. Sony FE 55 mm F / 1.8 ZA [October 2013, AliExpress price]
  18. Sony FE 85 mm F / 1.4 GM [February 2016, AliExpress price]
  19. Sony FE 85 mm F / 1.8 [February 2017, AliExpress price]
  20. Sony FE 90 mm F / 2.8 Macro G OSS [March 2015, AliExpress price]
  21. Sony FE 100 mm F / 2.8 STF GM OSS [February 2017]
  22. Sony FE 135 mm F / 1.8 GM [February 2019, AliExpress price]
  23. Sony FE 300 mm F / 2.8 GM OSS [November 2023]
  24. Sony FE 400 mm F / 2.8 GM OSS [June 2018]
  25. Sony FE 600 mm F / 4 GM OSS [June 2019]

Zuma:

  1. Sony FE 12-24 mm F / 2.8 GM [July 2020, AliExpress price]
  2. Sony FE 12-24 mm F / 4 G [May 2017, AliExpress price]
  3. Sony FE 16-35 mm F / 2.8 GM [May 2017, AliExpress price]
  4. Sony FE 16-35 mm F / 2.8 GM II [August 2023]
  5. Sony FE 16-35 mm T / 3.1 PZ G C [November 2020]
  6. Sony FE 16-35 mm F / 4 ZA OSS [September 2014, AliExpress price]
  7. Sony FE 16-35 mm F / 4 PZ G [March 2022, AliExpress price]
  8. Sony FE 20-70 mm F / 4 G  [January 2023]
  9. Sony FE 24-50 mm F / 2.8 G [February 2024]
  10. Sony FE 24-70 mm F / 2.8 GM [February 2016, AliExpress price]
  11. Sony FE 24-70 mm F / 2.8 GM II [April 2022, AliExpress price]
  12. Sony FE 24-70 mm F / 4 ZA OSS [October 2013, AliExpress price]
  13. Sony FE 24-105 mm F / 4 G OSS [October 2017, AliExpress price]
  14. Sony FE 24-240 mm F / 3.5-6.3 OSS [March 2015, AliExpress price]
  15. Sony FE 28-60 mm F / 4-5.6 [September 2020, AliExpress price]
  16. Sony FE 28-70 mm F / 3.5-5.6 OSS [October 2013, AliExpress price]
  17. Sony FE 28-135 mm F / 4 G PZ OSS [September 2014]
  18. Sony FE 70-200 mm F / 2.8 GM OSS [October 2017]
  19. Sony FE 70-200 mm F / 2.8 GM OSS II [October 2021]
  20. Sony FE 70-200 mm F / 4 G OSS [October 2013, AliExpress price]
  21. Sony FE 70-200 mm F / 4 Macro OSS II [July 2023]
  22. Sony-FE 70-300 mm F / 4.5-5.6 G OSS [March 2016]
  23. Sony FE 100-400 mm F / 4.5-5.6 GM OSS [April 2017, AliExpress price]
  24. Sony FE 200-600 mm F / 5.6-6.3 G OSS [June 2019, AliExpress price]

Autofocus full-frame lenses for Sony E / FE mount are also available from other manufacturers:

Materials on the topic

  1. Full frame mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
  2. Cropped mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
  3. Cropped mirrorless systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
  4. Digital SLR systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
  5. JVI or EVI (an important article that answers the question 'DSLR or mirrorless')
  6. About mirrorless batteries
  7. Simple and clear medium format
  8. High-speed solutions from Chinese brands
  9. All fastest autofocus zoom lenses
  10. All fastest AF prime lenses
  11. Mirrored full frame on mirrorless medium format
  12. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters
  13. One lens to rule the world
  14. The impact of smartphones on the photography market
  15. What's next (smartphone supremacy)?
  16. All announcements and novelties of lenses and cameras

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Andrey

 

 

Comments: 26, on the topic: Sony α7R II Impressions

  • Alexander Rifeev

    a 12 megapixel matrix in full format (NICON D 700) is a diffraction limitation of the aperture of about 13-14 ... a 24 megapixel matrix in full format (NICON D 600) is Dif.Og.Df no more than 10,5 .... 12 MP matrix on a format with a reduction of 1,5 (NICON D 90) versus the full format Dif.Og.Df about 9, a 15 MP matrix on a format with a reduction of 1,6 (KANON 500D) versus the full format Dif.Og.Df already 7,5; and a matrix with 42 MP is no more than 5,6 - so what ?? And then why such happiness? :) …

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Not “full-frame”, but full-frame
      2. The diffraction threshold does not mean that the picture after these values ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbwill be straight awful. Often you won't even be able to tell the difference. Sometimes, with some lenses, the result on a heavily covered lens will still be better, even despite the influence of diffraction. By the way, these “thresholds” are indicated for sensors with AA filters. Without AA filters, the situation is slightly better there.
      3. Even 5.6 is already a 4-stop maneuver (16 times), for example, when using lenses with F / 1.4

  • Alexander Rifeev

    By the way, on the NIKON S 910 compact-superzoom digital camera, pointing the lens directly at the sun in broad daylight and risking the matrix :-)) - I found out that its maximum aperture value is 9 (there was not a word about this in the instructions for the digital camera) ...

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It's not like that to check. The program mode (or automatic) will not close the aperture all the way, but just leave it in the region of 8-13

    • Igor

      Nikon’s Superzoom Compacts also have a built-in ND filter, which is first activated when pointing at the sun, so you can’t recognize the real aperture in the machine.

    • Sergos

      nikon s910 - no such model

  • Alexander Rifeev

    a lens with df starting at 1,4 :-)) - yes, it costs like a used foreign car :-)))
    of course, the picture after the diffraction limit of the matrix will not be terribly scary compared to the picture almost up to the diffraction limit of the matrix, but even on a computer monitor in 2M it is noticeable :-)))) and if you print it on a photo of 15 x 28 cm, it’s sad

    • Albert

      Just don't tell stories here.
      Go ahead shoot with your 910 and think about the diffraction limit

      • Alexander Rifeev

        I knew about the diffraction limit even before someone knocked very hard on the door of the room where mom and dad made you :-))) maybe even with their feet :-)))

        • B. R. P.

          Being rude is not allowed here, actually. The mention of moms and dads in this context betrays ... an immature person.

          • Alexander Rifeev

            this is how I am on the Internet - when they are rude to me - I become unbearable :-))) everyone on the network knows this :-))

          • Sergos

            or boor

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. many 1.4s cost a penny, even new ones (not used)
      2. photographers shooting on some kind of Sony a7r4 with 61 MP on apertures below F / 16 now they’re like “what are you talking about ?!”

      • Alexander Rifeev

        manual lenses with df 1,4 may be inexpensive, but autofocus lenses are always expensive :-))

        • Arkady Shapoval

          of course not. Just an example. Full-frame reflex, autofocus, new, from 1.4 - 160 dollars. Screen.

          • Dmitry Kostin

            Arkady, thank you very much for finding the strength and mood to write in this difficult time.

        • Dmitry Kostin

          Canon 50 / 1.4 or Nikon 50 / 1.4G seem to be not so expensive, especially at a flea market.
          On Sony for a long time there were adapters for EF optics and a lot of people at one time switched to Sony's UPC cameras from the second / third nickels using EF optics through an adapter. As for inexpensive manual glasses with an aperture of 1.4, I recently bought a Zeiss 50 / 1.4 for a Nikon mount at the price of a pair of autofocus Canon 50 / 1.4 ...

          • Anatoly

            Try tamron 28-75mm rxd, it is not very expensive, but it has almost perfect sharpness, even sharper at the edges than many fixes like samyang, etc.

          • Arkady Shapoval

            If you take used market, the cheapest autofocus with 1.4 is the old Minolta 50 / 1.4, Nikon 50 / 1.4D (for a screwdriver), Pentax 50 / 1.4 (the first F and FA)

  • Anatoly

    Good day! I want to add that for the first time this model has a focus on the eyes in af-c mode and is quite tenacious. The camera loves high resolution lenses, as for me, the best lenses for this camera in terms of price / quality ratio are Sony sel85f18, very light, fast af, there is a functional button, it gives a very good color. Of the problems, only aberrations. And Tamron 28-75 rxd, a very good lens, sharp across the entire field of the frame. Oh, another piece of advice, if there are problems with shooting in dark rooms, it is solved by installing godox xt1-s, and it is best to take flashes from this company, they are much cheaper than the original, and even surpass them in capabilities.

  • Andrey

    Interesting then, what about lens diffraction in Sigma dp Merrill cameras.
    There are 16MP, three layers each, for a total of 48.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Here you need to consider as for 16 MP (by type D4 / D4s)

  • Michael

    And how is it in RAV with color? Also, for a long time, normal skinton is displayed as on mirror Nikons?

    • Anatoly

      Depends on lenses. Sigma gives a colder shade, zeiss and gm are bright, tamry is pale. But everything is quickly corrected. For me personally, the sharpness and speed of the lenses are more important, and that's all, although this is secondary.

  • Anatoly

    *the weight

  • Sergos

    sony sal 50mm f 1.4 - an excellent lens {on Avito in the region from 8 to 10tr now it's easy to find}. I sold it 2 times and finally bought it again. With the LA-EA4 adapter to 7r2 it works fine at 42 megapixels ... I don't shoot video, so I can't say anything I can't on this topic.

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