We saw plenty of bloggers and photographers posting their Sony A7rII tests. But it’s time now to get a feedback form a different kind of reviewer. What does electrical engineer Kasson think about the new Sony camera? His principal research area for those six years was color management, color processing for digital photography, and color transformations such as gamut mapping. And these are damn great and must-rad articles you have to click on:
a7RII read noise spectra at high ISO settings (Kasson).
Nikon D810 vs Sony a7RII dark-field noise (Kasson).
a7rII read noise vs shutter speed (Kasson).
Sony a7RII self-heating (Kasson).
a7RII read noise with EFCS on and off, plus silent, continuous (Kasson).
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
Brian sent us that picture to prove the Really Right Stuff L-bracket for A7II also fits the A7R II. Also the Sunwayphoto plate works on the A7rII (here at Amazon). And I guess this means all A7II L-bracket you can find on [shoplink 39200 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] will work on the new A7rII too.
Nick Frank posted the very first detailed Sony A7r with M-mount lens test. You can download all the files at nickfrank.de. Would like to hear what you think about those images!
Cinema5D tested the video low light quality of the A7rII:
To my opinion, It is safe to work the Sony A7rII (for broadcast purposes) up to ISO 6400 with no problem. You can go higher risking some noise in your footage, but in some occasions it will be more than acceptable.
“The Sony A7R II is a fascinating camera and tons of fun to shoot with. When compared to cream of the crop from last year, the GH4, NX1 and A7S, the A7R II is overall the better all-round camera for both video and stills. Astounding 42MP photos, completely new sensor and internal 4K recording from a full frame sensor, despite heat issues.”
Regarding the Chinese Lab A7rII test: First of all, it’s a Chinese camera rental/repair agency that did the test in its lab. The comparisons of dynamic range are actually charted: Two examples http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/1 http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/2 with the author conceding a “surprising” advantage for a sony camera over the d810 in terms of higher iso dynamic range performance. But also noting that in the low iso performance area so key to landscape photographers, d810 is still king. Of course the main issue is the long exposure color noise in the shadows which starts to appear at shutter speeds greater than 1 second, really become a problem beyond 10 seconds, and is like an unwelcome dose of LSD beyond 30 seconds. The author demonstrates this by comparing pictures which have been adjusted +ev 5 for exposure and +100 for shadows in the shadow areas with d810, 5dsr, (and later on d800e, a7m2, and canon 6d). This actually could be a significant issue for landscape lovers http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/3 http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/4 http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/5 and these two charts below compare information/noise ratio after adjusting for the different total pixel sizes http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/6 http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/7″
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
My friend and M-mount expert Bart from the now offline site Leica Boss sent me this:
The A7RII is probably now the world’s best M-mount camera. I can report that The [shoplink 39161 ebay]Leica Summicron 35mm f/2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39162 ebay]Zeiss ZM 18mm f/4[/shoplink] both work beautifully on the A7rII. Both struggled greatly with the original A7 cameras. The corner smearing & color shifts have been all but eliminated. I had a few moments to test each lens at a demo yesterday – and really the only limitations now are the lenses themselves. The “wide open” shots appear to only show the natural aberrations of the lenses, rather than any sensor-produced issues. Of curse, these pictures are nothing special – but are well enough to understand that we have a real winner for Leica shooters. Unbelievable! Link to images and post: https://plus.google.com/106990676031669199820/posts/XFcskarmgTM
New A7rII test/news roundup:
Sony A7R II Initial Impressions and Sample Images (SLRlounge).
Real-world samples from Portland (Dpreview).
Field Charging the In-Camera Battery (Diglloyd).
First Look by Movetomirrorless.
Image samples by Reality Scanner.
Sony A7RM2 and a Model Photographer (Blandfordstudios).
A7Rii first impressions thread (incl RAW downloads) at SonyAlphaForum.
Testing out the Sony A7R II with as many native lenses as possible…(Photographyblog).
Ten great new settings on sony a7rii (Brian Smith).
A7rii and zeiss 55 1.8 giving me strange focus jitters? (SonyAlphaForum).
I also got an anonymous (and therefore non reliable) info from a Chinese reader which would be quite worrying if true:
hello, a chinese test lab just tested the A7rII sensor today， they use the same method but different standard compare to DXOmark, more reliable and more practical the dynamic range doesn’t have much improvement, about 0.1EV better than A7r, still around 2/3 stop less than nikon D810, D810 is still the DR king the real problem is, due to overheating of the BSI and more heats from stabilization system. the DR can go down extremely bad in long exposure. in a 30s exposure test, the A7rII is even worse than canon 5dsr so if turn on the camera and turn on stabilization for too long, long exposure, and using too much burst，can all cause serious drop in image quality
But I seriously doubt the info here is correct. Also because the real world image samples we have seen so far are of superb quality.
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
If you’ve been waiting for a better alternative to your big, bulky DSLR, this might finally fit the bill. I’ve been hesitant to say that for the a7S, a7R, and the a7 II, even though I love those cameras, but the a7R II, I think this is the one. Try it out ASAP!
How much details the new and first full frame BSI CMOS sensor holds? Well, plenty of! I have yet to find anything to not like about the new Sony A7R II. Until then, I’ll go shoot more with this little gem!
The BSI sensor can capture beautiful images with lots of dynamic range and I’m sure it will score top of the list in technical tests. The slow autofocus which plagued the original A7r is completely gone, and this camera is now quick and responsive. With a burst rate at 5 fps and good follow autofocus and an the improved object tracking capabilities, the A7R II can be used in many photographic fields.
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
Alin Popescu sent me that image (posted on top) and the following text:
I just updated to last version of LR and I am now able to see my RAW files from the Sony A7R II. What came to my surprise was to see the interpretation of the RAW files by the LR engine. Until now, you could see for a fraction of a second the embedded jpeg in the RAW file and then, the LR engine interpreted the file in a more washed-out, uglier version. You had to use Camera Calibration profiles to get closer to the JPEG look. With this last version it interprets almost perfectly the RAW file, less the DRO shadow boosting on the Jpeg file.Is it just my brained fooled or is there a real RAW engine shared by Sony to the Adobe team ?!
I have tried two legacy lenses briefly on my new Sony A7rII. I haven’t done any proper testing. With those points made I have observed that the legacy lenses are performing much better. CA seems to be markedly less. This was particularly noticeable on the Minolta MD 135mm F2. At F2 on the first A7r purple fringing was always present now it is much reduced. I had a similar problem, though not so great with the Minolta AF 500mm reflex lens.. there are still hints of CA… but that lens now produces phenomenal pictures. What has Sony done? Tomorrow I am trying the beer can and the MD 24mm VFC I will see if the same occurs.
Readers Write on the Sony A7R II (Diglloyd).
We take Sony’s A7R II street shooting in Portland (Imaging Resource).
Some sample videos with the Sony A7R II at all of the available settings, from 4K, then AVCHD, through to MP4 (Photographyblog).
Tutorial Sony A7RM2 Autofocus mit Metabones-Adapter und Canon EOS-Objektiven (Martin Wagner on Vimeo).
Sony a7RII AF test with Canon lenses (Learningcameras on Youtube).
Sony a7RII Sample Footage in 4k (Learningcameras on Youtube).
Never ending new A7rII owners discussion at SonyAlphaForum.
A7rII case: Gariz leather case in [shoplink 39113 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39108 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39110 ebay]Orange (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39111 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39112 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Gariz Alcantara case in [shoplink 39094 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39095 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here). Lim’s case in [shoplink 39107 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39102 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39103 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39104 ebay]Yellow (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 39105 ebay]Navy Blue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 39106 ebay]Khaki (Click here)[/shoplink]. Also available on Amazon US (Click here).
Plenty of readers and bloggers keep sending me links to their A7rII test. So here is a new roundup and to start with something different let’s talk about the “negatives” listed by Alex Pasquini:
There are a LOT of cool things about this camera but for now I’m just going to concentrate on some negatives.
Switching between Full Frame and Super 35 has to be through the menu. You’re unable to assign it to a shortcut. Sony please fix this through a firmware update!
I’ve found Peaking to be a little buggy, sometimes it just stops working, haven’t narrowed it down to why just yet!
Magnify during recording to check focus is awesome. Downside is, it’s still quite hard to tell without peaking. In the Canon 5dMk3 the image kind of popped into focus. With the Sony it’s a little more subtle. Need to get used to this.
You can’t take photos in video mode. Pretty annoying.
When shooting 4k it can be a little slow to start. Not an instance record, a lag of a second or so. A bit frustrating when shooting fast action like skateboarding but not a massive deal.
More A7rII tests: Ongoing A7rII owners report at SonyAlphaForum Long time Nikon (D4/D4S) wedding photographer’s first thoughts on the a7rII with examples. She will be selling the Nikons and replacing with Sony (Agatomaszek.com).
Handheld shooting and grading test (Youtube).
Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 55mm Sample Images (Photographyblog).
Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 28mm Sample Images (Photographyblog).
Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 90mm Sample Images (Photographyblog). New RAW and JPG files availabe at SonyAlphaForum via Le Butler.
Slow motion and slow shutter test at Newsshooter.
Image samples by Brian Smith.
Sony a7R II – First hand impressions + RAW Download (Brian Matiash).
A Mega Star is Born: Sony Singapore unveils its much anticipated full frame mirrorless A7RM2 camera (Stardoms).
Sony α7R II review – DAY 3: FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND LOW LIGHT TESTS
The A7II bug found by David Sampson is also “valid” on the new A7rII:
If you attach a 3rd party lens after using an OSS (eg the 24-70 FE) lens then IBIS does not work If you attach a 3rd party lens after using a non OSS lens (eg the 55 f1.8) then IBIS does work.
There is a workaround to fix the issue when it appears. David S. sent me this:
If you unmount (take off) an OSS lens without turning the camera off (or at least turn it off after you have removed the lens) then when you attach a third party (dumb) adaptor ‘steady shot’ (IBIS) continues to work normally. Of course this is not a thing a photographer would normally do as it usually common sense to turn the camera off when changing lenses so would still benefit from a firmware upgrade
