Sony a7r II Mirrorless Camera Review

This mirrorless camera from Sony, which features 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization with 4.5 stops of compensation for pitch, yaw, and horizontal shift as well as roll and roll, is the latest addition to their full-frame camera lineup.

The a7r II Mirrorless Camera is available now for purchase. Because of a revised grip, shutter release button, and adjustable settings, the 24.3-megapixel series features a more intuitive operation than previous models.

With its magnesium alloy frame and more robust lens mount, the a7r II is also water- and dust-resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor photography. The a7r II also includes an upgraded Fast Hybrid AF system that is about 30% quicker than the previous model, as well as 5 frames per second burst rate with continuous autofocus and a 40% faster start time.

This is because of updated algorithms and greater usage of the BIONZ image processor.

The 24.3-megapixel sensor, which has a normal ISO sensitivity range of 100-25600, produces high-resolution photographs while also being effective in low-light conditions. Fast processing and operating rates are provided by the BIONZ X image processor, while front-end LSI (large-scale integration) enhances the early stages of image processing, resulting in more lifelike details and richer tones.

And the detail given by the sensor is preserved with the use of 16-bit picture processing and 14-bit RAW output.

Beyond taking extremely detailed still images with smooth gradients, the a7r II now supports the high-bit-rate XAVC S format, which can record in 60p, 30p, and 24p at speeds up to 50 Mbps in all three frame rates.

Picture profiles, which include the inclusion of the S-Log2 gamma setting with a dynamic range of nearly 1,300 percent of the normal sRGB spectrum, may also be used to alter the appearance of movies, among other things. As well as clean HDMI output for a number of recording choices, timecode, and user bit settings are also available on this model.

Its advanced Sony Multi-Interface Shoe allows for greater compatibility with flash, microphone, and other accessories. And as an E-mount full-frame camera, the a7r II is compatible with all current APS-C E-mount lenses in crop mode as well as new Zeiss and Sony G-series lenses that are available for the a7r II’s E-mount full-frame lens mount.

Lens mount adapters with a tripod mount are also available to allow the use of A-mount lenses on E-mount cameras, and an optional dedicated battery grip allows for secure prolonged shooting and vertical orientation stability whether shooting in portrait mode or landscape mode.

The a7r II’s photographic capabilities are rounded out by the inclusion of two 3.0MP sensors “When it comes to picture monitoring and evaluation, a 1.22 million dot tilting LCD panel and a 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder are also available.

Integrated Wi-Fi networking, which includes NFC capability, enables the camera to be controlled remotely from a connected mobile device, as well as allowing quick sharing of images captured by the camera.

Exmor CMOS image sensor with 24.3MP resolution and BIONZ X image processor

A 24.3-megapixel Exmor CMOS picture sensor and a BIONZ X image processor are integrated into the a7r II’s new body, and they work together to provide a broad dynamic range with minimal noise and rich, nuanced gradations.

The camera has an ISO range of 100-51,200, which may be further narrowed down to ISO 50 if necessary. Additionally, the a7r II is able to reproduce fine details with exceptional clarity because of this combination.

The employment of detail reproduction technology and diffraction-reducing technology reduces the effects of diffraction and allows for the reproduction of fine details at small aperture settings, both of which improve image quality.

Add to this area-specific noise reduction, which allows you to individually apply different levels of noise reduction to different areas of the image for clearer imaging. In addition, the sensor has 16-bit picture processing with 14-bit RAW output to preserve detail and assure excellent quality for further modification and post-processing.

The metering performance has been further enhanced in this iteration, and it is now feasible to read down to a rating of -1 EV. Additionally, the a7r II will boot up around 40% quicker than the prior version, allowing for virtually instantaneous operation.

5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization INSIDE the camera

The impressive 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE picture stabilization technology is packed inside the sleek a7r II’s compact body. This adjusts for five different forms of camera wobble that might occur while taking still photos and video with a handheld camera.

The ability to utilize any lens, even adapted lenses, for important images without encountering blur due to camera shake is a huge advantage for photographers. The shutter speed compensation technology will correct for about 4.5 stops of shutter speed while photographing a wide range of subjects.

When working with longer focal lengths, the system will compensate for pitch and yaw corrections automatically. The incorporation of horizontal and vertical shift correction will, on the other hand, be beneficial for macro and high magnification pictures.

In addition, the roll compensation will be useful for all shooting techniques due to its flexibility. No matter if you are using third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization, all five axes of stabilization will always be active and working properly.

Using manual settings to enter the right focal length and maintain adequate stabilization when using lenses that do not communicate imaging data to the camera is an option when using non-transmitting lenses.

Additionally, by pushing the shutter release button halfway or magnifying the image, the viewfinder may be utilized to preview the amount of compensation that will be applied.

Enhanced Fast Hybrid AF (Automatic Flight Control)

The a7r II’s autofocus system, which has 117 phase-detection and 25 contrast-detection points with a large area of coverage, allows it to smoothly and rapidly follow moving subjects throughout the frame.

It enhances performance by around 30% when compared to prior generations by optimizing for both speed and accuracy through the use of an improved algorithm. The subject movement will be predicted more correctly using this newly designed algorithm, which is 1.5 times more accurate than previous algorithms.

Also included is the ability to record photographs at a rate of 5 frames per second while employing continuous focusing and auto exposure. When shooting in JPEG Fine L format, this may be shot in a burst of up to 77 frames per second, and a continuous AF Display allows users to see which AF points are now active.

One more function accessible with this AF system is Lock-on AF tracking, which will evaluate more information from the scene in order to deliver much-enhanced accuracy and stability. In addition, eye AF is provided, which prioritizes the pupil of a subject to produce superb portraits even when the depth of focus is small.

Full-HD video recording and the XAVC S format are also available.

Film in full HD at 1920 x 1080 resolution at frame rates of 60p, 30p, and 24p using the high bit-rate 50Mbps XAVC S codec, which has a bit rate of 50Mbps. Because of this, high image quality with minimum noise and artifacts is achieved without the need for a significant quantity of storage space.

Additionally, the system makes use of linear PCM sound to provide high-quality audio output.

When recording internally, users will get a video with a 4:2:0 sampling rate at 8-bit resolution; however, the a7r II includes a clean HDMI output for use with an external recorder, which allows for even better image quality overall. Users will be able to capture 4:2:2 uncompressed video and store it in an edit-ready format as a result of this.

Timecode and User Bit Settings are two important considerations.

The a7r II offers a variety of timecode recording options to accommodate a variety of workflows.

It has the standard “Record Run” mode, which only advances the timecode when recording, as well as the “Free Run” mode, which allows you to record without stopping “It is possible to use a timecode that advances the timecode even when not recording, which is useful for synchronizing multiple cameras during live events. Timecode can be recorded in both drop frame and non-drop frame modes, and it can also be recorded in drop frame mode.

If you are recording internally, the a7r II has the capability of outputting timecode through the HDMI port.

Color Profiles & Swatches that may be customized

-Log2 Gamma is a logarithmic scale.

For the a7r II to be able to take full use of its wide dynamic range while shooting video, the camera has included extensive color and gamma adjustments that may be customized. Gamma, black level, knee, color level, and other parameters may be customized by the user.

Also available is the S-Log2 Gamma Curve used on high-end Sony Cinema cameras, which compresses up to 1300 percent more dynamic range into the video signal than typical REC709, allowing for greater post-production flexibility.

3.0 out of 5 based on 3 ratings “Tilting LCD Monitor with 1228.8k Dots

The LCD screen, which has a greater 1,228.8k-dot resolution, will give shooters a fantastic screen for creating photographs, altering settings, and reviewing video and photos. It also tilts upward 107 degrees and downward 41 degrees, allowing you to work with a variety of shooting angles.

The use of the display in direct sunlight is made easier because of the inclusion of WhiteMagic technology, which doubles the brightness of the display through the use of an RGBW pixel arrangement.

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 “Electronic Viewfinder with 2.36 million dots of XGA OLED Tru-Finder technology

The viewfinder, which uses a three-lens optical system, accurately depicts what will appear in your video, including the impact of your camera settings. You’ll like the rich tone gradations and enhanced contrast. A wide viewing angle and high-end features such as 100 percent frame coverage make it possible to compose at the level of the eyes in a pleasant and steady manner.

The grip, shutter release button, and other controls have all been redesigned.

Users will discover that the a7r II has a more secure feel and hold, even when using big lenses, thanks to the larger, more refined design of the grip. In addition, the shutter release button has been redesigned and relocated forward to provide a more comfortable shooting position and a reduction in camera shaking during video recording.

The controls have also been updated with a new location that makes them simpler to handle and to use efficiently. Customization of the buttons is possible, allowing you to assign any of 56 functions to any of the 10 customizable buttons, allowing you to create a more unique layout.

Magnesium alloy construction, as well as a durable lens mount.

The top cover, front cover, and internal structure are all made of magnesium alloy, which adds to the overall strength of the compact shape. In order to provide more security while utilizing larger or longer lenses, the lens mount has been modified to provide better strength and stiffness.

The body itself has been improved in terms of dust and moisture resistance, allowing for more protection when shooting outdoors in inclement weather conditions.

An anti-static coating is applied to the optical filter on the sensor’s surface, and the sensor is equipped with an anti-dust mechanism that prevents dust from clinging to the sensor.

Headphone jack and audio input jack

The a7r II is equipped with a 3.5mm microphone input port, which allows it to be used with external microphones. Also compatible with the Sony XLR-K2M XLR Adapter for recording professional balanced XLR audio signals with phantom power and configurable mic/line inputs is the Sony a7r II, which offers even more features for those that want them.

An audio monitoring jack (3.5mm) and real-time audio levels (for visual reference) are included on the a7r II for recording and monitoring sounds.

Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as NFC functionality

The a7r II’s built-in Wi-Fi connectivity enables it to rapidly transmit imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing online to social networking sites, via email, and to cloud storage sites, among other things. Near Field Communication (NFC) is also enabled, allowing for a one-touch connection between the camera and compatible mobile devices without the need for any complicated setup.

If a mobile device is connected to the camera, it may also display a live view image on its screen and control the camera’s shutter remotely.

Additional PlayMemories Camera Apps are enabled through the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi connection, allowing you to customize the camera’s functions based on your preferred shooting style. A wide range of apps is available to assist with the creation of portraits, detailed close-ups, sports, time-lapse photography, motion photography, and other sorts of photos.

Additional Camera Functions

Posterization (color and black and white), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-Key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-Tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, and Illustration are some of the picture effect options available.

Creative Style options include: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, and Sepia (all with +/- 3 step contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustment), Black & White, and Sepia (all with +/- 3 step contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustment), Black & White, and Sepia (all with +/- 3 step contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustment), Black &

RGB color space (with sync gamut) and Adobe RGB color system (which is compatible with TRILUMINOS Color) are also supported.

Among the Picture Profile options are Black Level, Gamma (Movie and Still), Gamma (ITU709 [800 percent], S-Log2), Black Gamma, Knee (color mode), Color Level (color phase) (color depth), Detail (detail depth), Copy (copy), Reset (reset) and Reset (reset).

Scene Selection modes include Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, and Anti Motion Blur. There are also other scene enhancement options.

Face Detection is a feature that allows you to base exposure and focus on up to eight different faces. Furthermore, by keeping the critical focus on a subject’s eye, Eye AF may be utilized to achieve even higher levels of accuracy.

2x Clear Image Zoom may be used to effectively twice the magnification provided by any lens currently in use while causing the least amount of deterioration to the image. For even higher magnification, Smart zoom options of 1.5x and 2x, as well as 4x digital zoom, are also available.

Pre-flash TTL control is provided, as is flash bracketing, and a range of flash settings are available, including: flash off, auto, fill-flash, rear sync, slow sync, red-eye reduction, high-speed sync, and wireless control.

Ruggard Hunter 35 DSLR Holster Bag with a padded inside

Ruggard’s Hunter 35 DSLR Holster Bag is somewhat bigger than the Hunter 25 and can accommodate a DSLR (up to semi-pro size) with a lens attached and in shooting position when placed face down in the bag.

When you’re ready to shoot, just take your camera out of the bag, take the photo, and put your camera back in the bag again. The top of the bag has a zipper that opens away from your body, allowing you to quickly reach your belongings.

Additionally, no one other than you will be able to see inside the bag, which acts as an added layer of security.

With a water-resistant shell and a silky-smooth polyester interior, the bag will assist to keep the finish of your camera and lens combo from becoming scratched. Upon opening the case, you will find two detachable touch secured strips that may be modified to accommodate your equipment.

There includes a front zippered organizer panel, a mesh side pocket, and two side loops that may be used to attach alternative bags for additional storage. Two memory card compartments are located on the inside of the quick-release flap and are secured by a touch button. You may carry the bag using its adjustable detachable shoulder strap, top carry handle, or a belt loop, which will free your hands. The zippers are equipped with yellow pull tabs, which make it easier to use the bag while wearing gloves.

Form Factor for Carry-On

The FAA and airline carry-on requirements are subject to change at any time and without prior notification. Please double-check with your airline before claiming this case as a carry-on luggage item. The majority of airlines demand carry-on items to have an exterior linear measurement that is equal to or less than 45.0 inches in length or width ” (114.3 cm). The total exterior dimensions of this case are 20.9 inches ” (53.1 cm)

Battery Pack for Pawa NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion Cells (7.4V, 1030mAh)

A lithium-ion battery pack, the Pawa NP-FW50, is compatible with cameras that are similar to those used by the Sony NP-FW50. This rechargeable replacement battery has a 7.4V output power, a capacity of 1030mAh, and a rating of 7.7Wh. It is also available in black. Lithium-ion batteries are small and lightweight, and they may be recharged or drained at any moment without causing memory effects to occur.

Cameras that are compatible

  • Alpha:
  • a7S II (Alpha 7S II)
  • a7R II is the successor of the a7.
  • a7S
  • a7
  • a7R
  • a7 II is an abbreviation for the seventh generation of the a7 family of computers.
  • a3000
  • a5000
  • a5100
  • a6000
  • a6300
  • a6500
  • NEX-3
  • NEX-5
  • NEX-5N
  • NEX-5R
  • NEX-5T
  • NEX-3N
  • NEX-6
  • NEX-7
  • NEX-F3
  • NEX-C3
  • SLT-A33
  • SLT-A35
  • SLT-A37
  • SLT-A55
  • SLT-A55V
  • A560
  • A580
  • Camera with a lens of some sort:
  • ILCE-QX1
  • Cyber-shot:
  • DSC-RX10
  • DSC-RX10 II is a digital still camera.

Lexar 64GB Professional UHS-I SDXC Memory Card with 1066x Read/Write Speed (SILVER Series)

The Lexar 64GB Professional 1066x UHS-I SDXC Memory Card is designed for mirrorless and DSLR cameras and allows you to record and transmit high-quality photographs and videos, including Full HD and UHD 4K video, at rates of up to 160 MB/s and write speeds of up to 70 MB/s. All of this allows you to significantly increase the speed of your workflow.

This card has also been constructed with a capacity of 64GB and a V30 Video Speed Class rating, which ensures that minimum write rates of at least 30 MB/s are achieved at all times. Lexar designed this card to be resistant to water, stress, vibration, x-rays, and temperature fluctuations in order to assist enhance its durability. A built-in write-protect switch will assist you in protecting your data from unintentional deletion.

Characteristics in general

Content Transfer in a Short Amount of Time

Using UHS-I technology, you can transfer high-quality images and 4K UHD video at speeds of up to 160 MB/s, letting you transfer large amounts of data quickly and easily.

Capture the Moments of Action

Write rates up to 70 MB/s allow you to capture high-quality photos and longer durations of Full HD and 4K UHD video, as well as a variety of other file types. This card has UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30), which means it has the performance you need to shoot quicker and for longer periods of time without sacrificing quality.

A2 Speeds allow you to load applications more quickly.

With an Application Performance Class 2 (A2) certification, this card is also suitable for usage with applications running on your Android smartphone, as seen below. Android Adoptable storage enabled devices to allow you to execute and save apps straight on the A2 memory card in a matter of seconds.

Designed for long-term use.

It is possible to collect and save vital data in a variety of environments with Lexar Professional microSD Cards since they provide the endurance you require. These cards have undergone extensive testing and are meant to withstand exposure to water, shock, vibration, and x-rays, among other things.

Tested to the extreme

In the Lexar Quality Labs, which contain more than 1100 digital devices, all Lexar product designs are subjected to comprehensive testing to guarantee that they meet or exceed specifications in terms of performance, quality, compatibility, and dependability.

Sony a7r II Specs

MSRP$3199/ €3500 (body only)
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless
Max resolution7952 x 5304
Other resolutions3:2, full-frame (5168 x 3448, 3984 x 2656), APS-C (5168 x 3448, 3984 x 2656, 2592 x 1728); 16:9, 35mm (7952 x 4472, 5168 x 2912, 3984 x 2240), APS-C (5168 x 2912, 3984 x 2240, 2592 x 1456)
Image ratio w:h3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels42 megapixels
Sensor photodetectors44 megapixels
Sensor sizeFull frame (35.9 x 24 mm)
Sensor typeBSI-CMOS
ProcessorBionz X
ISOAuto, 100-25600 (expands to 50-102400)
Boosted ISO (minimum)50
Boosted ISO (maximum)102400
White balance presets10
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationSensor-shift
Image stabilization notes5-axis (4.5 stops per CIPA standard)
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsExtra fine, fine, standard
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View
Digital zoomYes (4X)
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points399
Lens mountSony E
Focal length multiplier
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,228,800
Touch screenNo
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.78×
Viewfinder resolution2,359,296
Minimum shutter speed30 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/8000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesYes
Built-in flashNo
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesFlash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync, Slow Sync, Red-eye reduction, Hi-speed sync, Wireless
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
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
Resolutions3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Videography notesheadphone and microphone ports, XLR support via adapter
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro-HDMI port with 4K still, uncompressed video output)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portYes
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n with NFC
Remote controlYes (wired or via smartphone)
Environmentally sealedYes
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionNP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)290
Weight (inc. batteries)625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
Dimensions127 x 96 x 60 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.36″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes (via downloadable app)
GPSNone

Sony a7r Price II

Joseph
Joseph

Joseph has been a tech photography journalist for over 20 years, covering many product categories. He specializes in timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors, and drones. His deep knowledge of drone technology makes him an indispensable resource for anyone interested in aerial photography. Joseph has contributed to our site since 2008.

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