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Sony Alpha 7R II Review

November 2015 | By Rishi Sanyal, Richard Butler and Dan Bracaglia

Buy on Amazon.com From $3,198.00

The Sony a7R II is a 42MP full frame mirrorless camera with 5-axis image stabilization, featuring the world's first (and currently only) 35mm BSI CMOS sensor, and including a hybrid autofocus system and 4K video capabilities. It's the fifth in the company's a7 range of full frame cameras and the second high-resolution 'R' model. However, although its name and appearance are very similar to the first round of a7s, the R II arguably represents just as significant a step forwards as those first full frame mirrorless models did.

The reasons for suggesting this are two-fold. Although the a7R II's body is essentially the same as that of the 24MP a7 II (albeit with more substantial magnesium alloy construction), the camera includes two significant changes:

The first is that this is the first full frame camera to feature a sensor based on BSI CMOS technology. Although Sony always stressed that the benefits of BSI designs are most valuable in small sensors, its application on larger scales should reduce the pixel-level disadvantages of moving to higher pixel counts (which means an improvement in quality when viewed at a standard output size).

Secondly, and perhaps, most unexpectedly: the camera's phase-detection autofocus capabilities have been increased to the point that it not only focuses quickly and effectively with its own lenses but can also do so with lenses designed for other systems. This may not sound like a big deal until you think about what Sony needs to do to make the camera a success: win-over dedicated photographers, many of whom are already committed to other systems.

Sony a7R II Highlight specifications

42MP Full Frame BSI CMOS sensor
399 on-sensor Phase Detection points
5-axis image stabilization
Internal 4K recording from full sensor width or 'Super' 35 crop
Picture Profile system including ITU-709 and S-Log2 gamma
Full magnesium alloy construction
2.36m dot OLED viewfinder with 0.7x magnification
High speed AF with non-native lenses

The rest of the camera's core capabilities are exactly as you would expect from a high-resolution camera at this level: weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, twin control dials, extensive customization of control points and 5fps shooting.

The camera's video capabilities, though, are well worth highlighting. Like the recently-released, and more video-focused a7S II, the a7R II can record 4K (UHD) video internally. But, unlike the a7S II, its sensor has enough resolution to shoot using a near full-frame crop or a Super 35 (~APS-C) crop. In fact, the camera is over-sampling when you shoot Super 35 4K - which should help control moiré. These two modes should let you choose between the shallow depth-of-field and low-light capability of using the full sensor, vs. the effective extra reach and greater lens compatibility of Super 35 mode (though our testing shows this isn't quite the case).

	Sony a7R II	Sony a7R	Sony a7 II	Sony a7S II
Sensor	42MP full-frame	36MP full-frame	24MP full-frame	12MP full-frame
Image Stabilization	In-body	In-lens only	In-body	In-body
Electronic First Curtain Shutter	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Silent (full electronic) Shutter	Yes	No	No	Yes
ISO Range (Stills) Standard / Expanded	100 - 25,600 50 - 102,400	100 - 25,600 50 - 25,600	100 - 25,600 50 - 25,600	100-102,400 50-409,600
Continuous Shooting (with AF)	5 fps	1.5 fps	5 fps	2.5 fps
AF system	Hybrid (399 phase detect and 25 contrast detect points)	Contrast AF with 25 points	Hybrid with 117 phase detect and 25 contrast detect points	Contrast AF with 169 points
4K from Super 35 crop?	Yes	No	No	No
4K Movie specs	UHD 30/24p XAVC S (100/60Mbps)	N/A	N/A	UHD 30/24p XAVC S (100/60Mbps)
HD Movie specs	1080 60/30/24p (50Mbps) XAVC S	1080 60p (28Mbps) 60i/24p (24/17Mbps) AVCHD	1080 60/30/24p (50Mbps) XAVC S	1080 120p (100/60Mbps) 60/30/24p (50Mbps) XAVC S
Picture Profile (inc S-Log2)	Yes	No	Yes	Yes + S-Log3
Front panel construction	Magnesium alloy	Magnesium alloy	Composite	Magnesium alloy
Optical low pass filter	No	No	Yes	Yes
Battery life (CIPA) LCD/EVF	340/290 shots per charge	340/270 shots per charge	350/270 shots per charge	370/310 shots per charge
Weight w/ battery	625 g	465 g	599 g	627 g
MSRP	$3,199 body only	$2,299 body only	$1,699 body only	$2,999 body only

(Lossy) Compressed Raw

Although, at launch, the a7R II only offered Sony's lossy compressed Raw files, which can reduce the processing flexibility of the files, the company has promised a firmware update allowing uncompressed 14-bit Raws. The dynamic range and Raw analysis section of our review is based on these uncompressed files.

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Comments

Total comments: 1929

Many amateurs have professionals' inconveniences as their complaints/deal breakers with this camera and Sony in general.

0 upvotes

To me, the greatest feature of this camera is continuous eye tracking autofocus. I am happy with the image quality that I get from my 6D, but I really wish my camera had this capability. I would love to capture candid portraits with shallow DoF. Even in case of posed portraits, I would be able to concentrate more on composing and lighting, whereas my camera would keep on focusing on the eye of the subject.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

6 upvotes

great camera for some , but prefer a DSLR body with greater control overall

3 upvotes

There seems to be lots of colour fringing with subjects against a bright background and I haven't seen anybody complaining.
Isn't this a deal-breaker?

0 upvotes

HINT: maybe there is something in that 'haven't seen anybody complaining' thing you mention? Oh and the fact that the review is hugely thorough and has taken months to publish...

2 upvotes

colour fringing is mostly caused by the lens, not the sensor itself...

1 upvote

Why did dpr use such poor lenses to show off the sensor?
The fringing really is bad so I'm wondering were these the best lenses Sony has. Having more resolution but with colour fringing can't be a bonus surely...

0 upvotes

... disorganized mess ....

Obviously a technical marvel, but can it be used?

I'll never be able to afford one of these, but the challenges of such a tiny body (compared with my old Canon 20D), and particularly the controls are not favorable.

And their refusal to dedicate enough space for a real battery is a persistent weakness.

Sigh, if only....

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

1 upvote

yes, having read the review I can only come to the same conclusion. What a DISASTER this camera is... I'll join you in sighing... <sighs?>

0 upvotes

The sensor is excellent. The camera not very good. If you go to operate a Nikon or Canon, the controls and information is up front. Sony needs to stop coming out with the same old body each time. They need to create a camera to par with the sensor. They have an excellent point and shoot. The RX100 IV, it operates nearly the same as the A7 series. I do not want a great point and shoot.....I want a camera. Bottom line excellent images, poor camera.

3 upvotes

Who are you talking to?

18 upvotes

A live histogram, focus magnification, peaking, replay, seeing shutter speed, video, face and eye recognition AF, gain in the EVF are not very up front in a Dslr. Canon seems to be successful with the same old body and OS.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

4 upvotes

Man, if only it does 4K videos in 60P ! That would be my deal breaker

0 upvotes

It is one fantastic camera and I have enjoyed working with it, but I would like a Sony FX wide angle lens about 10mm. Hopefully they will come out with one soon. I don't care for the available non Sony adoptable lenses.

0 upvotes

Voigtlander are releasing a 10mm native FE mount lens in spring. Its Manual focus although frankly DoF will be so great AF really isn't needed and I believe it is electronically coupled so move the lens focus ring and the camera will automatically zoom to aid focussing anyway. On my list!

http://voigtlaender.com/10-mm-f-5%2c6-hyper-wide-heliar-e-mount.html

Comment edited 26 seconds after posting

7 upvotes

The five-axis stabilization ONLY works with native Sony lenses, as does the face recognition system. If you use an adapter, you also negate features. You will also add weight negating the promoted weight savings.

0 upvotes

Such BS. Unlike ANY other FF camera, it can combine the IBIS and ILIS to achieve 5-axis stabilization. Unlike ANY other FF camera, it allows for 3-axis stabilization with ANY lens attached, regardless of brand, type or age. Funny that somebody would still whine.

18 upvotes

Face recognition and at least 3-axis, if not more, work with adapted lenses when using an electronic adapter.

15 upvotes

Your name should be "7829 Off the Mark". My everyday lens on this camera is a Tamron 24-70 for Sony A mount, used with the LAEA3 Adapter. IBIS works like a charm, It is turned off by the software only when it detects competing lens based IS. IBIS also works with my Tamron 150-600.
And as Rishi says, face recognition focus works. Is true eye focus doesn't work with theses lenses.

5 upvotes

Yeah, all this camera's peers are much more flexible with non-native lens stabilisation and eye AF and they're SO much lighter... <sarcasm>

2 upvotes

Nikon & Canon are on their way to the mirrorless world to be sure :o)

0 upvotes

I was really looking forward to trying out this model. However, after actually using one, I know I will never buy one. While the images may be spectacular, the user experience is simply not.

If Sony puts a 35mm BSI CMOS sensor, hybrid autofocus system and 4K video capability in a new Alpha model with a mirror, I'll buy two. As it stands, I'm leaning toward a migration to Nikon...

1 upvote

Now if Sony could just put this sensor in an A-mount camera without an SLT mirror, and I would happily mount my 600/4 or 300/2.8 on it without an adapter.

Till then Nikon still gets my money!

4 upvotes

I believe that camera will be called the Nikon D820.

1 upvote

In the image stabilization test, the FE 70-200 is already stabilized. Did you by chance run tests with the IS "on" for the lens or camera and "off" for the other? Are the test results that are published with IS on for both? It would be nice to see how that lens does on its own and whether the camera's IS improves on that.

0 upvotes

This is a fantastic camera, which I own and love! But one thing bothers me enourmously, and that is the memmory slots and the way they work. Not only that 4 of them goes on the card which is very impractical but also, and much worse, that the memories only hold settings from pane 1. What we need with a complex camera like this to be able to work fast, are global memories, or an option to choose between pane 1 and global. We need memories that holds all camera settings. So SONY PLEASE LISTEN and put this on top of your list for next FW update. I am possitively sure that a lot of users would greatly applause you for that. I work a lot in the field and in the studio and I very often siwtch from outdoors to indoors and again between video and stills. To make this work more smoothly global memory settings would be just awesome! Steen

2 upvotes

Nice Camera that's really stirred up the competition, well done Sony, let's hope Nikon and Canon embrace this challenge and start to properly innovate rather then coast.

9 upvotes

I'm like Canikon just they way they are: Fat, dumb, and happy.

2 upvotes

I'm surprised that the review did not mention the on-going issue with the M1~M4 custom settings being only stored on the SD Card and not on the camera, so when you format the card, you lose all of your M1~M4 custom settings (the custom 1 and 2 directly on the dial are stored on the camera though).

This is a ridiculous short-sighted design, especially when camera companies regularly advise the customers to format the card in-camera after uploading the images/videos.

So what I am forced to do, is to make sure I always copy the M1~M4 custom memory settings to my computer before I reformat the card, and then copy those settings back onto the card. Or, I simply never reformat and just delete the files I've already uploaded, but that is "not recommended" by the camera manufacturers.

7 upvotes

Wow I didn't know that. Then again, I don't think I've formatted my card yet. :/

0 upvotes

That's pretty poor. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Out of curiosity - what do you use the memory banks for? Although I find them nice for setting up video modes, most of the time when I want to set up my camera for 'landscape' shooting or 'people' shooting, I need to reconfigure the physical buttons, which the memory banks don't allow me to do.

1 upvote

To clarify - the "1" and "2" on the mode wheel are custom setting slots that are saved within the camera. There are six memory slots in total. I can agree that the M1-M4 slots are a bit redundant and less of use since I frequently format the card. I personally never use these slots so it has never bothered me.

0 upvotes

@Rishi - I set up M1~M4 for different lighting situations as well as different video situations. For example, I have M4 set up for 4K video, with the auto ISO limited to 25600 so that it doesn't go higher than that and get too noisy. I have M3 set up for 1080P, with the auto ISO limited to 6400, for the same reason. I have M1 and M2 set up for when lighting is really bright and auto ISO minimum shutter speed is set to fastest, and then for light light when auto ISO minimum shutter speed is slow. I also have different AF modes set up for each of them. It's faster to just put them on different custom settings so I can jump between them quickly (through fn button), since there are at least two variables I'd need changed for each of the custom settings.

0 upvotes

I see this feature in a more positive light.

As you say, these four custom settings are in addition to the more commonly available two custom settings on the Mode Dial. When I used the "bonus" M1-M4 on my a7II, I cleared the images using the date method. This was convenient and never caused a problem.

Multiple users of the camera can keep their M1-M4 settings on an SD card and have a personalized camera simply by using their SD card.

Plus, you can easily store these settings on your computer and reload them on an SD card.

The main problem I experienced was trying to remember what all six custom settings did :-).

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

5 upvotes

We found a substantial problem while shooting with the Sony tethered to Capture One.

If we shoot rapidly Capture One freezes and ceases to import the files, and the files are also not written to the card in the camera. The camera can keep shooting but the images are not recorded anywhere.

We think this might be from a bottleneck in the USB (2) transfer. The 50mp Canon 5Dsr will do this too (USO 3), but not as much (i.e. , you can shoot a little faster with the Canon). The image quality is obviously better with the Sony - if the file is recorded.

Perhaps a firmware update will allow the Sony to write to the card and through the USB port simultaneously. Until then, it cannot be shot quickly while tethered, and it will lose files.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I like it how DPreview staff take the time to reply to even the most inane, poorly thought through comments.

You guys rock!

29 upvotes

I'll say it one more time - if you are in for high res video, this might be it (I personally consider 4k currently a semi-useless and actually annoying gimmick for any non-commercial usage, but that's me). Next iteration of RX-10 might be even better though :)
But if you are into photography, or realize good image is more a function of a lens rather than body holding it, then D750 is much, much better value. Where I live - Switzerland, D750 body costs cca 1500 USD, with 24-120 F4 it costs 2000 USD. This thingie ain't twice as good at photography, that's pretty clear.
When you compare current lenses available, SONY is a loser, big time. I was choosing FF setup again, as I did 1 year ago, D750 would still be my choice. The whole system is just better, hands down.

1 upvote

D750 is a fantastic camera, for sure, but the two cameras are fairly different. I'd shoot sports with a D750, e.g., (in JPEG, anyway), but I wouldn't with an a7R II. Meanwhile, for fast prime people photography, I'd pick an a7R II every single time, because of continuous Eye AF, face detection, and no focus calibration issues (e.g. AF Fine Tune) ever.

And then for landscapes, I'd also choose the a7R II, because I can use Canon's excellent wide-angle lenses pretty transparently. Funny though, as just a few years ago, no Nikon landscape photographer would've been jealous of Canon's (non tilt-shift) lenses...

So, as usual, things are a bit more nuanced than 'this system wins hands down'.

15 upvotes

Nikon big, Sony small. Easy choice, accept for sports. Just buy two camera systems. If I could have afford a Wife and an a Girlfriend...I would do it :)

0 upvotes

Whenever someone says something is unilaterally better and does so with terms like way better, hands down, huge etc then it usually means they are trying to defend the camera/system they presently own. People, competition is a good thing. If something comes along that is in some way better doesn't mean what you have is no good. Technology marches on and no matter what you have it will eventually be replaced by something better.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Technology doesn't always make things better.
The internet, television, and air planes have not made the world a better place. I don't believe anyone who has not experienced life before the wide spread existence of these three will be able to comprehend such a statement.

0 upvotes

I love my FF Canons and prefer them over my Sony a7s for most shooting but I honestly wish this camera sells very well and stirs up the pot in the FF market. I'm just tired of Canon and Nikon's glacial phase of innovation.

3 upvotes

A review without mentioning price in its final summary- especially when it's an outlier price such as with this model- is an incomplete review at best.

Price/performance is a very important yardstick in the business and engineering world.

4 upvotes

MSRP $3,199 body only, first page of review.

15 upvotes

And on EVERY single review...of any camera on this website.

8 upvotes

We already have far more words in our review than ideal. We think we can leave it up to you to decide if it's worth your money, if we spend our time/effort in the review talking about the capabilities, and not being so presumptuous as to assume we know how best to spend your money...

13 upvotes

Back to school with you.

1 upvote

Impressive gadget with all the specifications and capabilities. When one is just looking for the final output i.e., the "feel" of the image, A7R has its virtues: the photo samples are techincally quite superior, but for me carry still a very digital look. Inspite of the improved jpeg-engine and FF output, it doesn't even come close to the ethos and "feel" of Fuji jpegs. I appreciate the Fuji jpegs even more, when i see the other's samples.
Just my 2 cents.

4 upvotes

To "feel" or not to "feel", that's the question. Or is it just nobler to view and assess specifications and graphs?

0 upvotes

This is without question an outstanding camera. But in regard to the sample images, what is the obsession with shooting so many images at, or near wide open aperture?
When viewing the sample images at 100% virtually none of them are tack sharp anywhere on the image. In most of the portrait shots the eyes are not in sharp focus, but often a cheek or nose tip is -- why?
A perfect example is the shot of the old red pickup shot at f1/4 -- really? I can't find a spot in that image that looks at all sharp.
I simply don't get the current wide open shooting fetish -- the variety of apertures on a lens are there for good reason.

8 upvotes

The image of the truck was shot well after dark. That exposure was lifted significantly in post-processing. Had I stopped the lens down significantly I would not have been confident about camera shake.

3 upvotes

(1) That's simply untrue. Eyes are perfectly focused.

(2) For stylistic reasons, which you're welcome to disagree with.

(3) To test/show just how capable this camera is at nailing focus even with such challenging depth of field.

7 upvotes

No offense to both of you, but:

Barney, the shot of the red truck was clearly at sunset, not well after dark (assuming we are looking at the same image). The exposure at ISO 100 and -1EV was 1/40 Sec at f/1.4 -- that is not a 'well after dark' exposure. A higher ISO and smaller aperture would make much more sense.

Rishi,
1. You are wrong, there are a number of those portraits where the critical focus is in front of, or behind the eyes. Examples: Row 1, Photo #2; Row 3, Photo #3; Row 3, Photo #3 (His lips and nose are in focus, his eyebrows and eyes OOF), etc.
2. If your stylistic reasons were to maximize background blur that's fine, but I learned in Photography 101 that the subject of an image should be in sharp focus. Little was discussed about the proper amount of background blur.
3. See #1 above.

0 upvotes

daddyo - you weren't there. The truck shot was well after sunset. There was some yellow and pink in the sky, but trust me - it was pretty darned dark. I shot various images of this scene at different settings but settled on ISO 100 @ F1.4 with some shadow pulling in post. I like the effect - you are free to disagree.

1 upvote

There's a reason little was discussed about 'proper' amount of background blur - there isn't any. It's an artistic choice.

Also, you're wrong about focus. You refer to this photo being focused on the nose and not the eyes/eyebrows, and the opposite is true: the noise is unfocused and the eyelashes/eye/cheek are perfectly focused, as you can see in this crop here.

The rest of the shots, and all in the gallery really, are all focused perfectly on at least one eye, with the other eye also appearing in focus/sharp at most normal viewing sizes (so your eye isn't distracted into thinking some other facial feature is focused on, b/c all other features are less focused than at least one eye).

Not sure if you're trolling us but, if so, please stop - it wastes everybody's time.

5 upvotes

But you get a Nikon 810 for that price...or a Canon 5Dr/Ds whatever!
No way.

2 upvotes

Nikon D750 would be good to start of with better low noise though.

1 upvote

Lower noise but then lower detail - which is important to you?

2 upvotes

"Lower" detail? From a D750? Are you serious?

5 upvotes

Yes, silly comment really. Nikon has much more lens line up than Sony offered for the E and FE line up. So the chance of getting good quality lens from Nikon at better price is high. Compare to Sony with tight lens line up with mostly expensive Carl Zeiss does not help at all which blows the budget.

3 upvotes

Even in low light high ISO noise, Sony A7RII and Nikon D750 are same, stalemate. And Nikon D750 comes at better cheaper price than A7RII. $2,299 for body only D750 vs Sony A7RII body only $3999 (Retail is $4500 normally when it is brand new release) after exchange rate. $3999 is special price though at the moment.

Also Nikon does much better job with Real World DR Difference, in shadow the noise is lesser than Sony. So I think you need to have a good long hard look at review before making comment.

Comment edited 7 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Video is far superior on the A7rII than anything Nikon ofers or any Canon below the $13,000 C300mkII. The rear LCD on the D750 is absolute garbage, its resolution/refresh rate is terrible, making manual focus when shooting video a chore.

None of them shoot 4k. I'll take the A7rII FTW.

9 upvotes

guys wake up, new D750 body costs 1500 USD!!! It's amazing FF value for money, and probably more than most people including me will ever need.
with quite good walkaround lens 24-120 F4 (not stellar, but for general daylight photography by far my favorite) its 2000 USD (talking about current Swiss prices)

Sony might be better, and IS better in video (which is useless attribute to me for example), but it ISN'T 2x better camera, or more. Not even going into available lenses topic, that would bring it even lower.

1 upvote

A D810 that can't focus in as dark a scene as the a7R II with fast primes... Or a 5DS R that can't focus on an eye without you first moving the AF point over to tell the camera where the eye is - which is of course difficult for a moving subject, or which costs you a candid shot because you had to expend time manually moving your AF point or reframe (which costs you compositional freedom).

Not to mention dynamic range limitations of the 5DS R, or the lower high ISO performance of both relative to the a7R II.

Not to mention focus accuracy issues of DSLRs relative to the a7R. Or AF frame coverage. Or the freedom of not having to worry about handheld shake and shutter shock, b/c of IBIS and electronic first curtain, respectively. And that's before we start talking about video...

Let's not overtly simplify a nuanced discussion.

6 upvotes

Yeah, the long, long list of Sony native fast primes.

0 upvotes

naththo; Where do you live because your prices seem greatly inflated for both cameras.

0 upvotes

@gbdz - Who cares when you can get great AF from pretty much any Canon or A-mount lens? There are far more AF capable lenses that can be used on the A7rII than any DSLR. You can choose to stick your head in the sand by saying "native" but in the real world that's just not the case. Its only been two years and Sony is set to announce 8 more lenses, Zeiss says three more Batis lenses are coming, it won't be long before all of the most popular FL's are covered.

1 upvote

I live in Australia. Most store price in Australia are expensive and that is also due to influence by exchange rate. It is not inflated. Exchange rate is responsible for it. Going from $0.71 to $1 AUD is very steep. $3200USD = $4500AUD for example.

0 upvotes

Once again, using 3rd party lens on adapter, you are a risk of voiding the warranty with Sony if you damage it. You are responsible for it. Use native lens with Sony would be common sense.

0 upvotes

I have experience about A6000-Metabones-Canon EF setup and it is negative. For me this is not an issue of religious beliefs. I was initially all excited about the A6000, ready to sell everything 'Canon' in the house. "It was just another crush..."

0 upvotes

Did someone forget to remind all Sony A7rII users to carry eight extra batteries just in case?

0 upvotes

"a7R II is one of the most talked-about cameras of the last year" ? Nope, it takes a very honourable second place. The most talked-about camera of this, last and all other years is the Pentax FF DSLR!

Comment edited 43 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

Pentax still exist?

15 upvotes

Pentax needs an owner worthy of it's legacy.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

IF it comes out. Sony will release a A9 by the time it is ready.

3 upvotes

First time I have ever commented here but....
A good, detailed review that has confirmed to me that ordering a D810 was the way to go, for me at least(primarily landscape). It's just a shame that the D810 hasn't been reviewed yet almost 18 months after it was released. Hrd to understand when it seems it is the camera all other high end cameras are compared to. Can we please see a review soon?
And all power to Rishi who takes the time to respond to and comment on reader's comments. That shows an admirable level of accessibility and devotion to doing a good job. Keep it coming.

4 upvotes

This review is payed by Sony. So of course they tried not to disappoint a paying client and can't compare it to a real competitor.
By the way, also no review of a Canon 5DsR - funny, isn't it?

1 upvote

clearly CaNikon must have more money in their palm greasing budget then
;-)

0 upvotes

I would never buy such an ugly looking camera.

4 upvotes

tell me what's camera good looking for you? :)

6 upvotes

Most people actually USE their camera. The look THROUGH it instead at it.
But I guess you are the person that byus uncomfortable shoes becouse they look good. Kinda like a twelve year old girl don't you think ?

27 upvotes

it's not like a Nikon Df - a camera only good to watch on it....

4 upvotes

The DF is an excellent camera. You obviously have never used it for making prints. It not only looks different and good for many, but has one of the best sensors.

1 upvote

I don't think it's ugly at all. having held one though, it's ergos are awful. I could not shoot with one for an extended time. I know Sony is putting all its cameras in the black can, and saving a ton of money doing it, but it is not designed for comfort.

1 upvote

I'm with you, JakeB.

One of my reasons to not seriously consider a Sony-FF system is the look of the cameras. They just don't look the way I'd expect an expensive camera to look.
I like walking around proudly with a camera that people notice and comment upon; they mistake me for a creative artyfarty person, hence they give me more credit. That motivates me to try harder to get the most out of a situation.

I want a €3000 machine to look like a €3000 machine. Sony cameras could look so much sexier. Employing one good desiger could make the difference.

0 upvotes

Put it in Gariz leather half-case and its like a Leica... for 1/2 price :)

1 upvote

That's some sound logic. Sarcasm.

Leica is waiting to take your money if you're part of the camera jewelry camp.

2 upvotes

No need for a Leica. There are plenty of brands that make cameras which looks I love, e.g.: Pentax, Fujifilm, Olympus, my Nikon Df. I like both 'classic' looks, as well as modern more 'unusual' design. It has to make a statement. In my opinion, Sony cameras don't do that. At least, no statement that appeals to me. It's just very plain and dull.
When buying a car, there too is a pricepoint after which you expect it to *look* good, even though most people use it for driving and mostly sit on the inside.

0 upvotes

There's very little difference between cars in the same class at the same pricepoints. There are big differences between the IQ from the A7rII and the Df. Who cares about what the camera looks like, its about the image, and there the A7rII looks pretty good, and better than anything from Pentax, Olympus, Fuji and the Df.

Cheers.

1 upvote

"Who cares about what the camera looks like"

I do. Very much so. Cameras are about so much more than 'the image'. It's a tool that I work with almost everyday, and it matters if I *love* to take it out on the streets. It's how it works for me. So many cameras that have sufficient IQ for my needs and wishes.
Inspiration & creativity are the bottlenecks in 2015, not IQ. If my camera inspires me, than that's a big bonus.

0 upvotes

Still a better looking camera than the DF

1 upvote

"I like walking around proudly with a camera that people notice and comment upon; they mistake me for a creative artyfarty person, hence they give me more credit."

Somebody needs to grasp the concept of irony...

1 upvote

simply have the camera bedazzled

0 upvotes

Hasselblad, Sony needs a mahogany grip.

0 upvotes

First, I'm not sure how so many negative criticisms add up to a 90% rating. Second, too many sample images are shot either wide open or stopped most of the way down. Few professionals shoot portraits wide open all the time. It's an occasional thing. And, if you're going to do it, at least make sure that one or both eyes are in focus, not the tip of the nose. Thanks for the hard wor, though, the reviews are pretty comprehensive.

5 upvotes

Good review with loads of negative points to warn against a dissapointment later on.This is a 3200-USD MILC which will be changed with a new one next year and value will drop dramatically and only God & Sony knows when a firmware upgrade will come to clear up this beefy software related cons list partially. Hardware related ones will stay there until it becomes a true paper weight. IMO the below items can't be corrected up with any firmware upgrade and real deal breakers for current DSLR users (I only use copy-pasted items partially to avoid being over limit):

Camera focuses stopped down in AF-C, ...
Eye-AF and Lock-on AF not available ...
Camera drops to 12-bit mode ...
Exposure parameters frozen while AF-C is engaged
Buttons and dials ...
Inane interactions ...
Buffer is sluggish ...
Video never shows low-light advantage of full frame sensor
4K shot continuously for 30-45 min can cause overheating
No touchscreen
Very limited battery life (IMHO, THIS IS THE ROOT OF MANY PROBLEMS)

6 upvotes

Wow! Some many -ve points still score gold.

4 upvotes

@KW Phua:
You buy a camera by the features you use and need or the score it gets on DP Review or other review sites?

0 upvotes

Please note that I already removed some software related issues after copy-paste. The remainder is (IMO) hardware related ones.
So, actually, this is not the whole cons list. :) Thanks in anyway Rishi to write all of them one-by-one. This is in anyway an unbiased review as nothing is hidden under the carpet. HOWEVER, giving the GOLD is the reservation of the reviever. Rishi thinks it deserves a GOLD. I think it deserves a SILVER. That's the pure choice of priorities. That's why reviewers say "read the whole article before jumping to conclusions page". If anybody buys such a camera in rush even without reading the whole pros/cons section but just by the color of the medal, than he/she has no place here anyway.

2 upvotes

Cihangir Gzey, as Rishi mentioned in the comment, the con list is long since the review is very comprehensive. They can make any camera con list long or short depending on the mode of reviewer and thoroughness of the review.

Doesn't prove crap. Your argument is nonsense. The camera gets gold and 90% because that's what the reviewers think it deserves.

13 upvotes

ET2,
"...camera gets gold and 90% because that's what the reviewers think it deserves."
That's what I said as well.
Reviewers may find some cons not so negative. Some may find some cons more important and give it a SILVER. It is the reservation of reviewer.

0 upvotes

I agree, very long con list for a gold camera. Compare to the D750. 12 bit and battery are pretty bad for this price. Still, the camera appears to be a great addition to the lineup, and Sony is upping their game. I would still take a D810 or D750 over it.

0 upvotes

How many $3000+ DSLR's have a touch screen? None.

How many of them shoot 4k? None.

If you shoot CaNikon you'll need two systems - one for high rez stills and one for 4k - to match the capabilities of this one tiny body. And Canon's DR is lagging far behind Sony.

Batteries are $10 each and weigh 1.5 oz, get the grip and carry 10.

Comment edited 29 seconds after posting

8 upvotes

You need to remember that some Cons aren't going to be listed for a camera if it doesn't even try it. For example:

-Eye-AF and Lock-on AF not available with 3rd party lenses, nor in video

-Video never shows low-light advantage of full frame sensor

-4K shot continuously for 30-45 min can cause overheating

-No touchscreen

... weren't listed for the D750, b/c it never even purported to try these things, nor was the lack of a touchscreen a huge deal since the camera didn't AF well in video anyway.

So Pros/Cons aren't, unfortunately, directly comparable without context. It's far more nuanced. One should never look at the length of a Cons list as indicative of how good or bad a camera is.

2 upvotes

Nice review.
To put things into perspective, it's a $3,200 camera, so not that many people will be able to afford it before the price drops.

3 upvotes

Hoping to see most of this tech, apart from the hi res sensor, in a much cheaper A7mk3 some time in 2016. Please.

3 upvotes

Do I make beter pictures with my Sony A7RII in comparison with my Canon 5D mark III. Yes, definitely. Do I have more fun taking pictures? Yes, Yes! Do I need 42 mil px. No, but's very handy when art-directors yet don't know how they want to use my pictures (landscape or portrait). And least but not last: dynamic range! The weight! The articulated screen, the spot on autofocus, no back and front focus. The briljant (at least a number of them) Sony Zeiss lenses...

29 upvotes

Some of the nicest images in a DPR review yet.
Particularly the cloud over the mountain. Very nice tones and colours.

16 upvotes

I would give Sony an innovation award for doing away with the SLR - in principle if not in practice. This particular camera, however, given its high price, does not deserve an award due to its many significant shortcomings. Back to the drawing board, Sony!

4 upvotes

Seeing how Sony is fairly rapidly making newer improved versions, they will continue to improve each one as much and as quickly as possible. They don't at all appear to be sitting on their laurels to get to the finish line with each iteration. So at least they are trying, and by the looks of it, they are trying with some ferocity... the industry needs someone to try to beat anyway, and Sony appears to have stirred the pot in a positive way. All the camera brands using the Sony sensors have benefitted to some degree. This does help everyone potentially. Hopefully the other brands improve as well.

0 upvotes

I have the Sony A7 II, as well as my trusty Canon 5D3. I have been taking both cameras out for a while, mainly using the Canon. I'm just not familiar enough with the Sony features and controls. But at my last model shoot, another guy with a mirrorless said, "Why bring it if you ain't gonna use it?" So I did. Fabulous results. The face-finding focus feature gave me more usable shots than ever before. And with focus-peaking, and "what you see is what you get" viewfinder. I find no replay is required and Manual Mode is easy to set. Now what do I do with my Canon 5D3 and all that L glass? I want me some more Zeiss lenses and I'm ready to go! Don't need such a heavy tripod, either! To be honest, only one thing I don't like: the shutter noise. Very loud.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I have the A7II but don't like it much (e.g. control, colors, AF speed). The A7RII seems a very advanced camera but is it much different to the A7II?

2 upvotes

If you can't get good color out of the A711, you won't from this one either.

2 upvotes

You know you can get the same tone/colour with every single camera on the market? That's why you go to post processing... and if you dont use that, you really don't need a $3000 camera, rather stick to P&S models.

6 upvotes

Good explanation of differences in color science between camera manufacturers here: http://www.eoshd.com/2015/11/sony-vs-canon-colour-science-does-this-explain-the-difference/

In my experience, I find it harder to get colors I like from certain models. I have owned several Sonys and Pannys, both DSLRs and enthusiast compacts.

Very happy with the Sony color and tone with very little adjustment of the RAWs in Lightroom.

Panny, particularly low light shots, seem to emphasize magenta - I can best describe it as making it look like everyone has lipstick on!

And it is a pain to resolve in post. So I know the feel, OP.

But it's all personal taste, so YMMV.

Comment edited 24 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I you a seeing reds turning towards magenta at high ISO... In low tungsten light the blue channel is underexposed. Less blue, more yellow. Since noise is uneven you get speckles of yellow. Camera tries to target this yellow noise by processing the image to remove saturated yellows. This upsets the yellow/magenta balance in reds, remove the yellow and your reds turn magentaish. First saw this in a fuji f11 near 10 years ago.

0 upvotes

Oh btw, the Sony A7RII is exceptionally good at maintaining colour at high ISO even in extremely warm light (camp fire, tungsten with warm coloured shades).

1 upvote

@andrewD2 - Possibly the first piece of useful advice I have ever been offered in the DPR forums! THANK YOU.

Also, makes sense, my older Panny (LX3) used to have terrible yellow speckling, even blotches, at ISO800 under tungsten. Always wondered why. A subsequent update to Lightroom's RAW processing of the LX3 files improved it significantly.

And that's what I feel about my Panny LX100 now - The LR results look a bit version 1.0 to me. Like, maybe, they could improve the RAW processing a bit.

Any tips for handling it in RAW? I'd have assumed in RAW that it's Lightroom's NR that would cause the shift to magenta then?

0 upvotes

Thank you. You could try lowering the colour noise reduction and try to get a better average skin colour some other way. I'd have to take a look at the RAW file. I've not had to deal with this specifically recently but I used to use "selective colour" adjustment in photoshop, the reds are adjusted by default, slide to add some yellow and maybe remove some magenta. Skintones usually have a Y:M balance of at least 50:50 (except wind blown faces, thinning skin, high blood pressure which is why I sometimes still need to do it) so a check with the eye dropper afterwards to see if you are in the ballpark of Y>M. I think the additional problem is that it makes it difficult to judge color temperature and tint as you may be tempted to tint towards green just to get the skintones less magenta but neutrals end up with a green cast. I did ask one couple if the best man knew he had very high blood pressure because I'd struggled with the Y/M balance, turned out he was on already on tablets. :)

0 upvotes

@Andrew Exactly, I usually end up adjusting white balance towards the green just to compensate some relatively small but very noticeable magenta skin tones, throwing out the rest of the skin tones. More fiddling in the HSL section of Lightroom is needed.

I also see the same problem in video from the LX100, so I really need a way to fix that in camera...

Thanks for all the tips!

0 upvotes

I love my A7RII, so I don't really get too worked up about reviews. Coming from Nikon, this camera just works so well for my type of shooting (landscapes, portraits). I wouldn't even consider this if I shot a lot of sports though. But for my purposes it's great. I can go very compact and light if I want to, or grab all my lenses other times. The continuous eye autofocus is just insane. I get may more keepers then I ever have with any other camera.

My main gripe? Sometime it can seem to take a decade to review an image at full magnification. Especially if you just fired of several images back to back. If there was any way to speed this up with a firmware update I would leap for joy.

14 upvotes

Thanks, this is what I call a great short review ..

4 upvotes

Agree 100% with everything you've said. And Naveed - a lot of this is essentially what we say in the scoring widget at the end of the review, with out 'Good for', 'Not so good for', and 'Overall conclusion' sections. It's just that, as DPReview, we need to actually back up everything we say and, indeed, do all the tests first in order to be able to know what to say. :)

16 upvotes

Thanks Rishi for response. Yes, I know it's a much bigger deal to review a professional tool professionally and I read them thoroughly.. with great interest ..

However, sometime short reviews and personal experiences of other fellow photographers are reassuring and put emphasis on some points which otherwise we readers overlooked.

0 upvotes

This is perhaps the first truly ground breaking DLSR in terms of spec and stills capability since the original 1DS and 5DmkII, but here's the rub (for me) ... It won't make *my* pictures (currently via Canon FF) any better for my clients or myself. On every practical level I think this sentiment applies to the vast majority of long-term photographers too.

4 upvotes

Camera, or simply ILC to be more specific. It's not a DSLR

8 upvotes

It's actually not a DSLR. It's a mirrorless. There is no reflexing going on inside the shutter compartment. Just wait until the other camera companies come out with the next big thing. But then, by next fall, Sony will be up to the A7Smmxcviii, so who knows.

Comment edited 23 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I believe DSLM is an appropriate term.

0 upvotes

All your comments about how to call it have nothing to do with Simons comment. In the end a camera is just that and if you can do it with a Canon why would you buy a Sony?

1 upvote

A good review. Image quality is impressive. But the"Not so good for' list is longer than the same list for 5D3 and includes the photography i most like to do.

3 upvotes

Please note that these lists, and the pros and cons, are not directly comparable between cameras. They're very dependent and specific to the reviewers writing a review. Furthermore, for the a7R II, it's worth noting that we spelled out very specific issues at a more low level than we typically have for many cameras in the past (that had more overarching cons) - simply because we've felt of late they can be lost in the body of large reviews.

That doesn't mean there are 'more' cons than another camera with a smaller con list. It could, but in this case, it's more that we're very specifically spelling out cons we think should be addressed by Sony or considered by the consumer.

Also, we test AF more in-depth recently, which also generates more pros/cons to talk about.

Furthermore, a camera with more overall features, like the a7R II, ends up potentially have a longer 'cons' list simply b/c there's more to talk about/assess.

31 upvotes

Rishi you guys do much good work so that's the Pro.

You wrote " it's more that we're very specifically spelling out cons we think should be addressed by Sony or considered by the consumer". Which is why you write Cons for all cameras? Right.

Why did you not put up the other 90% Gold Winning Nikon D750 in the camera comparison drop area--here are those earlier Pro and Con conclusions: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d750/16

Ming Thein posted a list Cons for mirrorless recently;http://blog.mingthein.com/2015/11/03/how-to-design-mirrorless-right/

Perhaps it makes sense to take the time to write of cons in depth relative companies that are seeking to convince consumers that the future has arrived because those selfsame companies are seeking to dominate the present...and will act upon such commentary. While Sony is to be commended I am keeping my still shining Gold Star winner a7r...until the a7rIII hits or a new a99II, my d750 does all this a7rII can do except 4k.

Comment edited 55 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

@MDRCHINA
If you invested yourself in the A7R I might understand you might not want to upgrade already. However the A7RII is a completely different monster and there is so much more it can do compared to the A7R, not just 4K.

0 upvotes

For Rishi,
In that case then, in future it might be useful to have a Small and Smaller/Smallest Cons List... in order to put things in a useful context. If it makes the camera less useful or even useless in some context, it would be helpful to know - and on the other hand where particular cons are simply a niggle. How specific and refined can a review become? DPR is getting there. Thank you as always.

1 upvote

Good point - sort of an ordered Pros/Cons list, or at least demarcated by serious vs. niggle. Hard to do, of course, as reviewers won't agree on what's most important vs. not, and neither will readers.

It's tough - thanks for your feedback though, appreciated.

0 upvotes

This long awaited review is already buried below 6 minor news (LR update, D5 possibility in an unknown future, G5X gallery...)...
It doesn't even make the headline because it's occupied by roundups announcement.

Those pretending DPR favors Sony have noticed, of course.

Comment edited 33 seconds after posting

5 upvotes

It's featured on top at the moment...

0 upvotes

Yes, I see that, it was not the case one hour ago. So finally DPR really favors Sony ! ;)

0 upvotes

Yup. Tin foil hats on!

But truthfully we try to highlight larger pieces of content like this for a few days after publication because as you saw, things get buried by the mundane and trivial (don't hate me, Nikon!). :P

0 upvotes

Well at least we now know our pro-Nikon bias doesn't come from you, Richard...

3 upvotes

Today I looked through the viewfinder of a Canon 6D and was so shocked by that tiny and primitive focus area. You're getting so used to all the benefits this great camera system brings to you.

12 upvotes

Canon intentionally nerfed the focus area on the 6d to avoid cannibalization of the 5d line. So the 6d focus area really doesnt represent what the company can do. It represents a marketing decision.

4 upvotes

The days of trying not to cannibalize more expensive models are over; a camera company should build the best it can for a certain price point (only Pentax buys into that philosophy).

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting

10 upvotes

@steelhead3 I hope you are right. Also, I would add that Joe_leads is comparing a camera body that can be bought now for about a third of what the a7r2 costs. So... oranges and apples.

1 upvote

Canon is really pushing...Adorama is giving a free Samsung TV with a 5dIII

1 upvote

Then that would be Adorama. Not Canon.

2 upvotes

@Lawn Lends Look at the focus area of the A7 II for comparison then, if that is more apples to apples for you. The CDAF area covers almost the complete frame.

0 upvotes

joe, since the 6d costs about a third of what the A7r2 costs, wouldnt it be fair if the focus area were about a third the size of the Sony's focus area. You are comparing two cameras which share only the sensor size, their prices put them into different classes. So if you want to compare apples and apples, compare the focus area of a 5ds/r to the a7r2.

0 upvotes

It ought to. The A7R II cost about 3 times more than a 6D. Not to mention the watered down 11 point AF the 6D has doesn't help it's cause either. The 6D is still a good camera for the price. Not everybody can afford the A7R II.

1 upvote

Again, the A7 II is in the same price range as the 6D and has a similar AF field spread as the A7R II.

2 upvotes

This thread is about the A7rII. So unless you are comparing the A7II to the A7rII, you are OT discussing the A7II in comparison to the 6d.

0 upvotes

steelhead3 - unfortunately, the 5DIII + TV deal is over. Now, they imposed the 24-105mm f/4 on the bundle which raised the price to $3000. The 40" TV costs only $278. Adorama had to do this in order to sell unwanted/outdated items. Canon refuses to lower the price of the 5dIII even though it's an outdated camera by today's standard. The Nikon D750 is only at $1897 and it outperforms the 5DIII by a huge margin. As an authorized Canon dealer, they cannot lower the 5dIII to about $1500, that's how much it's worth. I bought the Canon 6D for $1145 with a big printer; that's a bargain for the price and similar IQ like the 5DIII minus some pro features.

Oh, I must say something about the A7rii according to Lawn Lends. So here we go: I didn't get the A7rii because it's still a hobbyist toy and the battery life is a deal breaker just like my Fuji XT-1.

1 upvote

I love this camera, Very well deserved. Anyone who complains about this camera is doing something wrong.

5 upvotes

Like the speed of the camera's functions?

4 upvotes

No camera is perfect. This is still an exceptional tool if you learn to work with it.

0 upvotes

Oh I agree armandino, I'm just trying to figure out how someone could be doing something wrong if they complain about the camera functions being slow to respond. :)

2 upvotes

Seems to me that the review is better than the camera. I know some photogs swear by this line of Sony cams, but the ergonomics, buttons, menus, A/F and overall "feel" of these cams just isn't up there with the best DSLRs. Yeah, the bodies are svelt, but with a couple of those big, fast Sony zooms and primes coming along for the ride, you've got yourself a pretty hefty, heavy, bulky package. What's the point? High IQ? Megapixels? High IQ and megapixels are the easy part these days. Making a camera that will last a lifetime ... as they did in the film days ... is what's really needed; that along with a camera that gets all of the basics right. Hmmmm ... like a Leica?

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

9 upvotes

Why pack an already outated sensor and yesterday's technology in a camera that will last for 100 years or more? With a small camera you can build a compact system if needed, or a highest quality/bright & heavy lens system if this suits your needs. Balancing problems, you said? Just hold the lens/camera combo correctly and there will never be such a problem. To the point: a small camera means flexibility.

11 upvotes

Hmm. I don't often see people arguing FOR deliberate planned obsolescence.

0 upvotes

@veroman
Somewhat true however the facts are that this camera is so good that makes photographers put up with its quirks. I leave now my 1DX, 5DIII, and Pentax 645D at home unless I am shooting sports. The 645D is literally collecting dust.

Comment edited 21 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Film cameras won't last a lifetime, either, when used the way we use digital cams (I shot 15,000 images last year). The sensor in this Sony will be completely obsolete in 5 years anyway.

1 upvote

Yes, middle class body with lots of candy built in. That is my impression as well. In addition most of my Canon lenses did not run sufficiently well or at all on it. Far away from "as good as on the DSLR". Plus forget about small. My favourite lenses make nearly no difference compared to my DSLR at all. Make the body worthwhile and remove the long list of issues and restrictions. Then we start tslking again.

0 upvotes

In the old days, the sensor was film which you changed to alter ISO and color output. The cameras and lenses had simple robust mechanical designs and very limited use of electronics. Decent cameras were certainly not cheap. You can still use these cameras if you want to. I have many working 35mm and 2 1/4" square cameras.

Modern digital cameras blow 35 mm film cameras out of the water in terms of image quality and ease of use - including rapid and very accurate determination of exposure, focus, and color. You can change ISO and white balance with ease. You can have your images edited and printed in minutes rather than days. You have a built in video camera.

The penalty for all these advances is the need to regularly change your camera to get the latest advances. Unlike computers, you don't have to do this and most digital cameras should last many years - but not as long as a mechanical design.

To me this is the golden age of photography.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

@TORN
I am curious to hear what are your favourite Canon lenses that do not go well with the A7RII. Also, what sort of performance are you expecting from them. I am very happy with virtually every Canon glass I have made exception of the 500/4 IS L. Some will not be as fast as the Canon Camera, but unless you are shooting sports they work fine to me. The fast glass in low light seem to be better on the Sony than on my canon cameras.

0 upvotes

@armandino - Meaning you think the fast Canon glass focuses better in low light than on Canon (native) bodies? Curious as to your results, as we're finding the Sony to focus fast glass in low light at least as well as on native bodies (if not better, given the Sony can use more of its frame in low light for AF). Thanks.

0 upvotes

An interesting thing to do is go to your local camera shop - ask to handle the A7r II and try it out. Then ask to see the Nikon D750 and try that out. In that order.

4 upvotes

Or any other Dslr of your choice. I agree with the order.

1 upvote

Why would you want the poor salesperson to unbox the A7rii twice? Start with the D750, move to the A7rii and you will stick with it anyway.

20 upvotes

I mention this because this is what I did recently at my local camera purveyor. I guess a lot of people would naturally assume that the A7r II would win out between the two because of its size. But actually, and I don't think I would be alone in this conclusion, I liked the D750 a lot better for its overall shooting design. I could imagine that an entire day with the D750 would be a much more pleasant experience than with the A7R II for a number of reasons. Despite the IQ advantage of the latter. Maybe that's just me.

Comment edited 31 seconds after posting

6 upvotes

Admit it, Pac, you just want something with a built-in flash.

11 upvotes

Ergonomy is mostly what you get used with. It took me a while to adopt from DSLR system to the A7. I think I would have experienced the same if I went the other way around. After using the A7 a lot, I am for sure not going back to a DSLR system. I am using lenses ranging from 16 mm to 400 mm + teleconverter. Handling and balance is just fine. Also, I bring this camera much more often with me than I did with the large and bulky DSLR.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

Ed, having one is nice, I'll admit. But not a deal breaker.

0 upvotes

Then look at the plastic build and cheap shutter box of the 750 and the A7rII will feel like a Leica.

3 upvotes

D750 has the same sensor as the A7. Maybe we should compare D750 to A7, not the A7r2. A7r2 is newer, but A7 is cheaper now. Price could sway a buying decision.

0 upvotes

@pacnwhobbyist
the choice is not so trivial. If you stop at the ergonomics and responsiveness then sorry I will stick with my 1DX and not even glance at the D750.
However a tool is also what allow you to do with it. Some things you can do with the D750 that you cannot with A7RII, but there are even more the way around.

0 upvotes

Other than 4K video, what shots could you take that i couldn't get just as well or better with my D750?

0 upvotes

What Magnar said --we weren't born with DSLRs in our hands. I shot for years with regular SLRs (60s, 70s, 80s) then took many years off, and found the ergonomics of a modern Nikon or Canon a complete mystery. Buttons everywhere and not where I'd put them. This made adapting to the NEX ergonomics much easier fro me, I imagine...
There's a lot I would change in the A7 interface, but I use it every day, and none of these things are dealbreakers, or cause me to lose shots I want. Frankly camera ergonomics needs to drop the fake film-reference, and that's a slowly evolving thing.

1 upvote

Sony A7rii is imho the best camera one can buy today but not the best money can buy..

1 upvote

I conclude that one has to buy the A7Rii with something other than money, then.

2 upvotes

@ Dimit - What is the best camera money can buy, in your opinion?

0 upvotes

Α6000

1 upvote

I see...You're saying the A6000 is the best deal for your money...dollar for dollar, Kronor for Kronor?

0 upvotes

Some of the early reports on this camera raised an issue over a noise problem at high ISO when using exposure times in excess of a second. The theory was that the IBIS setup was impeding the heat sinking and the sample shots looked pretty bad.

Rishi/DPR - did you test this and if so what were the findings?

Anyone - did I miss it in the review?

If true, it would still be a great camera for the majority of users but it could really be a deal breaker for fans of astro etc.

0 upvotes

Anyone? I've been excited about this camera for ages and this (and the actual sharpness performance of Canon lenses via Metabones) was the big question I was waiting to answer. Can't believe I'm the only one (but can believe I've missed something - I'm no expert).

0 upvotes

We only had the issue on an early body, but never on subsequent bodies with updated firmware. So my impression was that it was fixed. In other words, I personally noticed it on an earlier body on my Iceland trip, but not on the more recent body/firmware I had with me. Back at the office, I tried yet another body updated to the latest firmware, and it had no such issue - so I do know what the issue looks like.

I'll reach out to Sony for a comment.

1 upvote

Thanks Rishi - sounds like good news.

0 upvotes

A very fair review of a great camera!

Prior to Nov. 2013 I had been a Canon/Pentax user for decades. I now own the Sony A7R, A7S, A7 II and A7R II, and will never go back to a DSLR.

The A7R II is a vast improvement over the original A7R, as was the A7 II over the A7. I'm anxiously waiting to see how Sony's firmware update for the A7 II performs.

bwa

9 upvotes

Adding my endorsement for this camera for guys like me. There are so many really big improvements over the A7r... important focus fixes - Silent shutter, faster more accurate phase detect, and especially IBIS - mean average shooters can get stellar quality more consistently. But other improvements are also huge...dynamic range is way improved over the full normal range of commonly used ISO levels. Jpeg images up to 6400 ISO are much better--much less noise-- totally useable for all but the most demanding purposes. Sum total, for me, this is the best all round camera ever, period.
Complaints about dials, menus etc. are all things that users can get used to working with. And there are, as the review points out, some areas where improvements could be made. But these are conveniences for which work arounds can be found. Average users like me who can afford this camera, will love it.

14 upvotes

A good review.
I can't help thinking though that because DPReview is owned by Amazon, they have a vested interest in getting photographers to switch systems and constantly buy new gear.
If you're planning a switch from DSLR to Sony, and you make money off your photography, you'd be wise to test the A7RII first, extensively, in the hand.

3 upvotes

"I can't help thinking though that because DPReview is owned by Amazon, they have a vested interest in getting photographers to switch systems and constantly buy new gear."

False. But I'm glad you liked the review!

14 upvotes

false what exactly? amazon is not an owner? they're not interested in selling photo gizmos (among other stuff) and dpreview is not also a marketing platform?

0 upvotes

If DPR really was pushed by Amazon to make sure photographers switched gear faster, I'm sure they would publish many more reviews much sooner after the release dates...

(no need to thank me for the dubious support, Barney)

2 upvotes

Definitely is the job of DPR to keep the photo enthusiasts interested and to help stimulate and prop up the field of photographic equipment and technology in general. Apparently amazon makes enough money on photo gear to want to keep these guys around. I would say it's a long term type goal more than a glengarry glen ross type of sales scenario. ;-)

1 upvote

jkal implied that Amazon pushes DPReview to get people to 'constantly buy new gear'. This is false. The business side of DPReview is totally distinct from editorial.

2 upvotes

oh, please.. they bought dpreview for educational reasons, right? don't get me wrong, i like your work, guys (specialy videos etc), but let be honest here..

0 upvotes

mr.izo
not sure what is so hard to believe. DPR is an entity that generate a predictable amount of traffic, and provides outlet for advertisers and such. Apparently they have control over raising money by taking up sponsored content. Amazon had good research group when they bought the business and did the math. They are better off ($$$-wise) with DPR in the semi-independent form than without it.

0 upvotes

And last ! Thank you DPR team for this review.

Can't wait for the 5DSR review to make a choice, I guess that it's just around the corner with the end of year roundups !

0 upvotes

Thanks. An excellent and very useful review. I haven't worked my way through it all but I am sure that you know that it's easy to move the focus point over the subject using the rear controller buttons. This is made much more convenient by setting the center rear controller button to "Standard". Apologies if this is covered in the review.

0 upvotes

Our point is that you shouldn't have to first press a button to then activate a 4-way dial for AF point selection. It should always be immediately available.

Especially when you also consider our observation that sometimes when you press a button - especially that center rear controller button - the camera just doesn't 'listen', or the button isn't actually pressed, meaning you may start using that 4-way controller thinking you activated AF point selection, but you actually haven't, so you end up, say, activating Drive Mode by pressing Left.

A direct controller has no such issues, and removes this extra layer that adds to the disconnected experience of moving the AF point. Of course, directly being able to touch the area you want to focus would be even better...

0 upvotes

Thanks for the clarification Rishi. I have a dedicated joystick on my Canon 7D but for general shooting I prefer the center button and then rear controller buttons of the a7RII, even though I can't move the focus point diagonally.

Face and eye tracking make the a7RII a much easier camera to use for photographing people in motion.

For tracking targets I need to hold the center point of the 7D on the target until it locks on which is similar to the way I operate my a7RII. However, I prefer the tracking capability of the 7D and I use it for aircraft shots and other fast action.

I don't experience the button problems that you mention.

3 upvotes

I never move the focus point...man am I missing out ;*)

0 upvotes

I rarely move the focus point manually either with my D810, but that's because 3D tracking is so reliable - hence I use it to move the AF point for me, by targeting my subject using the center point, then recomposing.

It's not ideal though, as the point always resets to the initial position once you let go of the shutter button.

0 upvotes

Gimme some money!!!!! ;-D

1 upvote

Total comments: 1929

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