Sony Alpha A7S II

The Sony Alpha a7S II is an ultra-sensitive, full-frame E-mount mirrorless camera and the predecessor to the . Key features include:

• Excellent low-light performance and color accuracy

• 5-axis image stabilization

• Updated autofocus system

• Uncompressed 4:2:2 UHD 4K video output

What’s Changed. Sony has essentially taken the groundbreaking and added the best features found on the . Notable additions are 5-axis image stabilization, internal 4K capture, and improved ISO and AF performance. Looking for an update to this camera? Check out the .

12.2MP Full-Frame Exmor Sensor and BIONZ X Image Processor. While it’s technically the same sensor, Sony tweaked the sensor and processor for even better ISO performance. The a7SII features a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-102,400 (expandable to ISO 50-409,600).

Internal 4K Recording with Full Pixel Readout. The a7SII can record internal 4K video at 24/25/30 fps @ 100Mbps. Nearly as impressive is Full HD 1080p capture that tops out at 120 fps @ 100Mbps. Internally recorded video is in 8-bit 4:2:0, while clean HDMI outputs uncompressed 4:2:2 UHD 4K to an external recorder.

Advanced Video Features. The a7S II supports the S-Log3 gamma curve, which extends dynamic range up to 14 stops.

5-Axis Image Stabilization. Like the a7II and a7RII, the a7S II includes built-in 5-axis image stabilization, which offers up to 4.5 stops of correction to any lens mounted. This includes angular shake (pitch and yaw), shift shake (X and Y axes), and rotational shake (roll). When using an E-mount lens that already features OSS, the two systems will work cooperatively for maximum stabilization.

Improved Autofocus System. The a7S II’s autofocus system provides improved accuracy and performance over its predecessor. For video and legacy-lens users, the manual focus peaking enables highly visible and accurate operation and can be optimized for full-frame or APS-C format shooting modes.

Other Notable Features.

• High build quality with dust and moisture sealing and an all-metal lens mount.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capability for connecting to smart devices.
• Option to remotely control the camera via USB.
• Silent shutter mode.
• It records its 14-bit RAW images, JPEGs, and video files to , and uses the rechargeable that’s rated for 340 shots per charge.

Please note:

• Recording 100 Mbps 4K internally requires a .

• Recording HD video in the XAVC S codec requires an . In other words, a card that is 64GB or larger.

While I know people are accomplishing some incredible work with the A7S II, I still hesitate to recommend it to video customers because of the high possibility of technical issues. We’ve had enough…

While I know people are accomplishing some incredible work with the A7S II, I still hesitate to recommend it to video customers because of the high possibility of technical issues. We’ve had enough complaints about overheating and hot pixels in video mode that, at this point, I have to call it a risk inherent to choosing this camera. Sure, there are ways to try to avoid overheating and After Effects plug-ins that will help remove a hot pixel. And if the spec-to-cost ratio is high enough for you to roll the dice then, by all means, go for it. It is a really impressive camera for the money. If you absolutely can’t afford to deal with overheating or hot pixels, though, I’d recommend looking at a dedicated video camera like the or .