Sony a7 II Review

Because they were the first mirrorless cameras to contain full-frame sensors – the same size as a frame of 35mm film – the introduction of Sony’s Alpha A7 and Alpha A7R generated a big uproar in photography. The Alpha A7 has 24 megapixels, while the Alpha A7R has 36 megapixels.

[Latest information reveals that the Alpha A7 II has been succeeded by the Alpha A7 III, which is now one of our most favored cameras.] The new model incorporates several enhancements, including an all-new sensor and a very advanced 693-point autofocus system. Additionally, the device’s handling and performance have been enhanced.

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Sony Alpha a7 II Full Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Only -...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 3:07 pm

However, the Alpha A7 II is still a terrific deal, and it is possible to get it at much-reduced costs, which makes it a very appealing prospect.]

In addition, these cameras (which were later joined by the 12-megapixel Sony Alpha A7S) are incredibly compact for full-frame cameras. They are roughly the same size as the Micro Four Thirds Olympus OM-D E-M1 and provide a level of control comparable to that of the Olympus camera.

Sony a7 II Build Quality.

The A7 II, much like the previous cameras in the Alpha 7 series, has a very angular and retro-looking design that many photographers will find appealing. Additionally, it has a pleasant and sturdy sensation in hand.

According to Sony, the magnesium alloy used in the A7 II’s sensor housing is more in quantity than that used in the camera’s predecessor, making it far more robust. This, in addition to the fact that the camera is sealed against dust and moisture, ought to make the camera quite resilient.

Compared to the A7, the A7 II from Sony offers a more substantial and pleasant grip and a newly developed covering that is densely textured and provides a good purchase. In addition, a tiny but functional thumb ridge is also located on the rear of the camera. This ridge has the same coating as the grip found on the front of the camera.

When shooting or wandering between photos with the camera, it feels pretty comfortable and more stable in hand than the A7 because of the combination of these components.

A slightly bigger shutter button that has been pushed forward to make it easier to reach is one of the other improvements that have been made since the A7 was released.

This was a smart move on the company’s part because the button is now situated below the point at which our hands naturally gravitate to reach while holding the A7 II.

Sony a7 II Performance

Naturally, we were interested in learning more about how well the stabilization mechanism of the A7 II worked. When we used the camera with the stabilized Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS lens placed on it, we discovered that we could produce sufficiently crisp results at 70 millimeters by setting the shutter speed to one-sixth of a second.

This stabilization is excellent, even though it does not quite match the 4.5EV maximum that Sony claims it can achieve. It is essential to remember that the outcomes might differ from one individual to the next and that variables such as the amount of coffee you’ve had can play a role in this.

The automatic white balance mechanism is also a strong performer that can be depended upon in various types of illumination. Unfortunately, as is typical, it performs less well than expected when exposed to some artificial illumination. However, the Custom white balance value can be easily adjusted.

You only need to travel through the white balance choices until you reach the Custom Setup option, push the button in the center of the navigation controls to pick it, and then point the lens at a neutral subject before hitting the central button again. After that, you will be allowed to assign the value that was recorded to one of the three custom settings so that it may be chosen later.

When utilizing the A7 II’s 1200-zone evaluative metering system, we discovered that many of my photographs were improved by dialing in a small amount of negative exposure correction. This was when I took pictures outside in the bright winter sunshine.

In some instances, I did this so that the highlights would be preserved, while in others, I did this so that the colors would be more accurate from the camera. Because you can see the results of any exposure adjustments before snapping the picture with an electronic viewfinder, the requirement to use exposure compensation isn’t as stressful as it would be with a traditional viewfinder.

Sony a7 II Image Quality

We were pretty impressed by the results that the first Sony A7 generated, and given the A7 II has the same sensor and processing engine, we knew that it would perform very well. The results that the original Sony A7 produced left us highly impressed. The Alpha A7 II can create excellent-quality photographs in various lighting circumstances, and it can also catch a great deal of information on its subjects. This has not led to a shakeup in our trust.

The lower, midrange, and somewhat high sensitivity levels all do an excellent job of controlling image noise. However, when raw files are viewed at 100% and noise reduction is off, a significant amount of chroma noise is present in the image captured at ISO6400.

JPEG files recorded simultaneously and edited with the camera’s default noise reduction setting appear incredibly high quality. The colorful speckling is effectively disguised, and there is no significant loss of information. The residual luminance noise is of fine grain and is dispersed uniformly over the image. There is no banding or clumping, so even at 100%, the photographs seem realistic.

Sony a7 II Specs

Body typeSLR-style mirrorless
Body materialMagnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution6000 x 4000
Other resolutions6000 x 3376, 3936 x 2624, 3936 x 2216, 3008 x 1688, 3008 x 2000
Image ratio w h3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors25 megapixels
Sensor sizeFull frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorBionz X
Color spacesRGB, AdobeRGB
Color filter arrayPrimary color filter
Image
ISO100-25600
Boosted ISO (minimum)50
White balance presets10
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationSensor-shift
Image stabilization notes4.5 stops
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsExtra fine, acceptable, standard
File formatJPEG (DCF 2.0, EXIF 2.3)RAW (ARW 2.3)
Image parametersStandard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia
Optics & Focus
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lampYes
Digital zoomYes (4)
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points117
Lens mountSony E
Focal length multiplier
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,230,000
Touch screenNo
Screen typeXtra Fine LCD
Live ViewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.71×
Viewfinder resolution2,359,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed30 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/8000 sec
Exposure modesAutoProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManualScene SelectionSweep PanoramaMovie
Scene modesPortrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur
Built-in flashNo
External flashYes (via Multi Interface shoe)
Flash X sync speed1/250 sec
Drive modesSingle, continuous, speed priority constant, self-timer, bracketing (AE, white balance, DRO)
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Metering modesMultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±5 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB BracketingYes
Videography features
Resolutions1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Videography notesSupports XAVC S codec (50Mbps) and S Log2 flat picture profile
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Connectivity
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro-HDMI port with 4K still, uncompressed video output)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portYes
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless noteswith NFC and wireless control via the PlayMemories Mobile app
Remote controlYes (wired)
Physical
Environmentally sealedYes
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionNP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)350
Weight (inc. batteries)599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
Dimensions127 x 96 x 60 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.36″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingNo
GPSNone

Sony a7 II Verdict

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Sony Alpha a7 II Full Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Only -...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 3:07 pm

Because of its placement between the 36-megapixel Alpha 7R and the 12-megapixel Alpha 7S, the 24-megapixel Alpha 7 II model is most suited for ordinary photographers. However, it is expected to gain favor among individuals who don’t require the enormous file sizes that the A7R creates and who desire faster autofocusing but aren’t especially concerned with the camera’s ability to perform well in low-light situations or with video performance.

That doesn’t mean the A7 II is a “jack of all crafts and master of none,” though. It can resolve great detail, and noise is controlled from an ISO setting of 50 up to 6400.

In environments with adequate illumination, the autofocus mechanism is rapid and precise and can keep things moving in excellent focus. Despite this, it is unlikely that a sports photographer would select this camera as their primary option.

Sony a7 II FAQs

Is the Sony a7ii discontinued?

To answer your question, the Sony a7 II was taken off the market in April 2019.

Does Sony A7II have autofocus?

The Sony A7II does, in fact, feature autofocus, comprised of both phase-detection and contrast-detection AF modes.

Is the Sony a7ii a DSLR?

The Sony a7 II is a type of camera known as a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex).

Is Sony A7 II a mirrorless camera?

The Sony a7 II is not a DSLR camera; instead, it is a mirrorless camera, which means that it does not have a component for a reflector like DSLR cameras do.

Is Sony A7ii suitable for portraits?

Due to the high-resolution sensor and refined autofocus system in the Sony A7II, the answer is yes; this camera can be used for headshot photography.

Is Sony A7 III Netflix approved?

Unfortunately, Netflix does not endorse the Sony A7II.

How long does a Sony A7 II last?

Depending on your use, the Sony A7II can take anywhere from 350 to 400 pictures on a single refill of its battery.

Is Sony a7ii good for street photography?

Because of its small size, silent shutter, and quick autofocus system, the Sony a7 II can be valuable for capturing candid moments on the street.

Can you control the Sony a7ii with the phone?

Yes, the Sony a7 II can be manipulated with the software on a smartphone, enabling remote shooting, picture transmission, and adjustments to the camera settings.

Does Sony a7ii have face detection?

The Sony a7 II has a facial detection autofocus system that can recognize and monitor human features for more precise focusing.

Does the Sony a7ii have a touch screen?

Unfortunately, the Sony a7 II does not have a touch-enabled touchscreen.

How old is the Sony A7II?

Since it was launched in November 2014, the Sony A7II will be approximately seven years old in 2022.

How many megapixels is A7 II?

The full-frame camera on the Sony A7II has a resolution of 24.3 megapixels.

Is the Sony A7 II suitable for low light?

As a result of its high ISO sensitivity range, sophisticated noise reduction technology, and lightning-fast autofocus system, the Sony A7 II can be used for photographing in low light conditions.

Is a7ii suitable for sports?

Because of its delayed burst rate and smaller buffer capacity, the Sony a7 II might not be the ideal camera to photograph athletic events.

Is Sony a7II suitable for landscape photography?

Due to the high resolution of its camera and the expansive dynamic range, the Sony a7 II can be used for panoramic photography.

Does Sony a7II have clear image zoom?

The Sony a7 II has a clear image zoom function that enables the user to digitally magnify an image up to two times without suffering any degradation in image clarity.

Does Sony A7 II have a flash?

No, the Sony A7II does not have a flash integrated into the camera; however, it has a hot shoe that allows you to connect an external flash device.

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