Sony’s A7 full-frame mirrorless cameras: Which is right for you?

Sony has proven itself a leader in mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with its full frame A7-series, but when it comes to buying one, things can be a bit confusing. In the current, second-generation lineup, the A7 Mark II, A7R II, and A7S II are all capable cameras (each has received , but each has unique advantages that may make it better or worse in any given situation.

The most obvious difference in these cameras is the sensor resolution, which varies considerably from the A7R II’s 42 megapixels (one of the highest-megapixel full-frame sensors you can currently buy) down to the A7S II’s 12 megapixels. The A7 II takes up the middle spot with 24 megapixels.

The numbers alone may lead one to think the A7S II is the entry-level model, but this is not true. It is actually the A7 II, at $1,700, that holds down the low end of the range (although, “low end” is probably an inaccurate description here). The A7S II is a niche camera, targeting professional photographers and filmmakers who work in low light, and its $3,000 price tag reflects this. The A7R II tops the range at $3,200. (All prices listed are body-only.)

But just because one camera costs more than the other doesn’t mean it is necessarily better. The cameras share several features, including a burst rate of five frames-per-second and terrific five-axis image stabilization. But each also has its strengths and weaknesses, and which one will work best for you depends on what you plan to shoot, so let’s take a closer look at each.

A7 II

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The A7 II is a great choice for enthusiasts and amateur photographers moving to their first full-frame camera. Its 24MP sensor shoots up to ISO 25,600 and is sufficient for all but the most demanding applications. It also strikes a good balance between file size and resolution. It won’t quite match the image quality of the A7R II or the extreme low-light capabilities of the A7S II, but for most situations, it will perform admirably.

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Sony A7 II

$1,350.00 from Amazon.com

The A7 II boasts a hybrid autofocus system that uses 117 phase-detect focus points and 25 contrast-detect points. This means AF performance is relatively quick and snappy, and will do a decent job of tracking moving subjects.

Where this camera fails, unfortunately, is with video. It is the only one out of the three to not offer 4K resolution, and it also lacks some higher-end features like Sony’s S-Log flat color profile.

If video isn’t a primary focus for you, however, then the A7 II is likely the best camera on this list. Even if your budget is $3,000, getting the A7 II will leave you room for at least one really nice lens, and the lens will make the most noticeable difference in image quality.

Our full review

A7R II

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Sony’s current flagship model, the A7R II, is a force to be reckoned with. It uses a 42MP, backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, which means all the little electrical bits that normally run along the front of the sensor have been moved to the back. This increases sensitivity by allowing the pixels to receive more light, which means the A7R II is actually better in low light than the lower-resolution A7 II, with an ISO that can be boosted to 102,400.

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Sony A7R II

$2,694.50 from Amazon.com

Having all those pixels means that with a good lens (and preferably mounted on a tripod) this camera can deliver stunning levels of detail. It also posts the best dynamic range score of any full frame camera, according to DXOMark testing, which makes it fantastic for landscapes.

When it comes to autofocus, the A7R II also tops the list, with a crazy 399 points, all of which use phase detection. This gives it a noticeable lead over the others in AF performance, especially when it comes to tracking moving subjects.

However, that doesn’t mean it is necessarily the best camera for sports, as those large, 42MP files can slow the camera down. In burst mode, the A7R II can only capture about 24 JPEGs before the buffer fills – or even fewer RAW photos.

If you plan on shooting a lot of action, you’ll have to weigh the benefits of stellar autofocus against the more manageable file sizes of the A7 II. Personally, we would probably still lean toward to A7R II here, but it should be noted that none of these cameras are built for professional sports photography.

When it comes to video, the A7R II impresses again. It can shoot 4K either in full frame mode, or from a cropped, Super35mm-sized region of the sensor. In Super35 mode, which mimics the frame size of motion picture film, it overscans additional pixels for an extra-sharp 4K output. It also uses S-Log2, a flat gamma profile that captures the maximum dynamic range and is suitable for professional color grading.

Be warned, however, that Sony has had trouble with cameras overheating when being used to shoot video for long periods of time. These aren’t cinema cameras, and aren’t built for the type of use those cameras get, so keep this in mind.

Working with the A7R II won’t be for everyone. It is meant for photographers who are willing to put in the time to get things right. But if that’s you, the A7R II promises perhaps the best possible image quality you can get, shy of top-of-the-line medium format systems.

Our full review

A7S II

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The A7S II is the most narrowly focused camera of the three. With just 12 megapixels, it falls quite a ways behind the resolution of most current interchangeable lens cameras, even consumer models.

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Sony A7S II

$2,998.00 from Amazon.com

That low resolution, however, means each individual pixel is much larger and therefore more sensitive to light. Its ISO range can be expanded up to 409,600, so you can pretty much shoot under starlight. It’s not the highest ISO rating out there (Nikon’s D5 pushes into the millions) but the A7S II’s large pixels help it maintain accurate color and dynamic range at its highest settings, meaning you’re shooting high ISO photos that you can actually use.

Clearly, this is a camera for those who need the ultimate in low-light performance. This includes cave explorers, night sky photographers, and some photojournalists.

The unintended benefit of the low-resolution sensor also means more pictures can be saved in the same amount of space and will transfer much faster to a computer. This will be a plus to anyone who comes back from a shoot with thousands of photos, as many event photographers do.

For video, the A7S II can also record beautiful 4K footage from the full sensor, although it doesn’t have enough resolution to shoot 4K from a Super35 crop, like the A7R II. It will, however, shoot 1080p in crop mode at up to 120 frames-per-second for slow motion. It also uses Sony’s latest log profile, S-Log3, providing the most flexibility in post-production.

If there is a sore point for this camera, however, it is the autofocus. Despite being the newest of the three, its 169-point AF system relies completely on older, slower contrast detection technology. It also can’t track moving subjects in continuous shooting mode, as the AF stays locked after the first frame.

Our full review

First Generation

While the focus of this story is on the second-generation cameras, we should note that the first-generation A7-series cameras (same model names, but without the Mark II designation) are still available for sale. What they lack in new features, they make up for them in lower prices. The A7R has a high-resolution full-frame sensor, while the A7S is a low-light champ that also dabbles in 4K video.

But the more attractive model could be the original A7. For still photographers on a budget who want to move into full-frame, the $1,100 list price is enticing. Like the second-gen models, the original A7 cameras work with Sony’s entire lineup of E-mount lenses. That means the money you saved from buying the original A7 can be put toward some quality lenses, and the glass you invest in can move with you when you are ready to step up to a future A7 camera.

Sony A7 review | Sony A7r review | Sony A7s review

Conclusion

As similar as all three of Sony’s second-generation full-frame mirrorless cameras are, there are clear differences that define how they are best used. For the majority of shooters, the good-old A7 II will deliver great image quality across a wide spectrum of scenarios, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that it costs less than two grand for the body only.

For professionals, and those with the most discerning eyes, the A7R II simply can’t be beat. Over a year after its release, it remains one of the best cameras on the market, hands down, for both still photography and videography.

The A7S II also targets high-end users, but will appeal to a much smaller base. However, those who need its ultimate low-light capability, whether for stills or video, will certainly appreciate having it.

from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2e09FXr
Daven Mathies