Sony Alpha A7S II Full Review

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Features

At the "core" of the Sony Alpha A7S Mark II is the same full-frame 12 megapixel CMOS sensor from the A7S, which offers an extended ISO range of ISO50 up to ISO409,600 (Native ISO100 to ISO102,400).

4K video recording has been updated, and it is now possible to record internally to the SD card - the original A7S required the use of an external recorder connected to the HDMI port for 4K video recording.

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Updates over the A7S:

• 14-bit uncompressed RAW format (improved over 12bit compressed) – 24MB file instead of 12MB.
• Tough magnesium alloy body
• Reduced vibration shutter, 500,000 cycles
• Updated EVF, 0.78x magnification (A7S was 0.71x), Zeiss T* coating
• Updated 3inch screen, 1.228m dots (A7S was 921k dots)
• Enhanced grip and shutter button
• Updated controls to match other Mark II cameras
• Easy button customisation
• Power supply via USB – use the camera, powered from USB (PC or mobile battery)
• More precise white balance adjustment
• Bright monitoring
• ISO auto minimum shutter speed

Sony Alpha A7s Video Comparison - 4K

Video Features:

• Full frame 4K internal recording with full pixel readout without pixel binning
• 5-axis image stabilisation, 4.5 steps compensation, works with any lens (including legacy)
• 120fps HFR (High Frame Rate) video recording (at FullHD), up to 5x/4x slow motion
• Gamma Display assist
• Wide dynamic range, 14stops, (1300% - plus 3.6 steps above 100%)
• S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3 (for Cinema) and S-Gamut3 / S-Log3 (BT2020) profiles
• Enhanced Zebra display

Auto Focus has been updated, with 169 AF points (vs 25 points on the A7S), and the camera can focus down to -4 EV. There is also twice as fast AF in movie recording. Designed for low light and wide dynamic range, the camera records 4K video internally using XAVC S format, other updates in video include the ability to record 120fps (100MBps).

Here we compare the A7S vs A7S II vs A7R II as all cameras can record 4K video:

Sony has provided this presentation slide to show the differences between the camera models, as well as graphically show the sensor area that the camera uses when recording in the different modes. 

Sony A7s Video Comparison - FullHD

Video in detail: 4K resolution (3840x2160, UHD), 30p, 25p, 24p, 100MBps XAVC S internal recording – requires an SDXC card with UHS I – U:3 rating. 4K recording is a full pixel readout without pixel binning and uses the full-frame of the sensor. There is also clean HDMI output for 4K and FullHD. Video options include various profile options to deliver wider dynamic range and improved colour correction. 

Sensor based 5-axis image stabilisation can be used in both video and stills modes, making steady video recording possible whilst hand-holding the camera, as well as giving stabilisation for low-light photography, with 4.5 stops compensation.

When using E mount and A mount lenses with OSS (Optical Steady Shot) image stabilisation the camera will compensate for 3 directions, with 2 compensated with the lens. When using a standard lens without OSS, the sensor will be using for image stabilisation, using the 5-axis sensor stabilisation system.

Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity is built in, as per the original A7s. This lets you connect the camera to a compatible Android or iOS device, as well as use Sony PlayMemories apps to add additional features to the camera, using either free apps or paid apps.

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Handling

Like the A7 Mark II and A7R Mark II, the Sony Alpha A7S Mark II shares the same body design and build quality, with a well built magnesium alloy body, and a large front grip with ample rubber covering that extends round to the back for your thumb. On the side is the memory card slot that takes SD memory card or Sony Memory Sticks. 

There is a top mode dial with a central button to unlock the dial. Next to this are two customisable buttons (C1 and C2), and an exposure compensation dial giving quick access to exposure compensation should you need it. There are front and rear control dials so that you can quickly and easily change the shutter and aperture values when in A/S/M modes. There is a third customisable button (C3) on the back near the electronic viewfinder.

The Fn (Function) button on the back of the camera brings up the quick menu, and this can be customised so that you have quick access to your favourite settings. Above this is the AF/MF button with a switch that turns this into the AEL button. The video record button is found on the corner of the camera. The four-way controller on the back of the camera is also a scroll wheel which makes it quicker to change settings, as you don't have to move your thumb or finger to another dial.

The A7S Mark II has an updated number of focus points, with 169 contrast detection focus points covering a wide area of the sensor, and the camera can focus down to -4 EV, although in very low light conditions we found the camera occasionally struggled to focus correctly, whereas a full-frame Digital SLR managed to focus much more successfully. 

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) has a high resolution of 2,359K dots, giving 100% coverage, and 0.78x magnification. This makes the viewfinder large and bright, as well as very clear, with good colour. There's a good size rubber surround, which is good for those that wear glasses, and there's also dioptre adjustment on the side. The screen tilts up and down, and has a good resolution of 1,228K dots, with good colour and viewing angle.

Menus – The Sony menu system is clearly laid out and easy to use, and is standardized across all Sony cameras. There are a large number of options, which could make reference to the manual useful, and this does make finding some options quite time consuming if you are not familiar with the layout.

The Fn (function) button doubles as a Wi-Fi button letting you connect to a smartphone over Wi-Fi or NFC if your smartphone features it. You can add additional features to the camera using Sony PlayMemories apps, with apps available for free or alternatively for a fee. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 310 shots according to Sony / CIPA test results, which is average for a mirrorless class of camera - therefore we would recommend a spare battery if you plan on shooting more, or you could invest in the optional battery grip. A nice feature of the A7S Mark II is the ability to charge the camera using a MicroUSB cable, as well as the ability to use the camera while powering the camera this way. 

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.

Focus was reasonably quick, depending on which lens was used with the camera, but not as quick as other mirrorless cameras. Continuous shooting is reasonably quick, at 5fps.

Sony Alpha 7S II Sample Photos

Sample Photos - The Sony Alpha A7S Mark II can shoot in extremely low light conditions, providing results that can be shared on-line, even up to ISO102400. Colours are good, and with a full-frame sensor you can get pleasantly blurred backgrounds with excellent subject separation. With image stabilisation built in to the camera you can also handhold the camera and take sharp shots at much slower shutter speeds than would normally be possible.

Sony Alpha 7S II Lens test images

Lens Performance - There is an increasing range of lenses available, with three new lenses announced recently, and this gives you a good range of options, although the lenses are often quite large in order to cover the full-frame sensor of the camera. The prime lenses available give excellent image quality and detail, with pleasing bokeh (background blur). The camera has built in lens correction, to automatically correct for Peripheral Shading, Chromatic Aberration, and Distortion, and we were impressed with the results straight from the camera. 

Sony Alpha 7S II ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Noise is very well controlled from the lower ISO settings, and impressively detail can be found in images up to ISO25600, and then detail drops at ISO51200, as noise increases and colour saturation is reduced. ISO102400 could still produce usable images, particularly if using them on the web, however the higher ISO settings of 204800 and 409600 are probably best avoided. There are noise reduction options of Off, Low and Normal, with Normal being the default setting.

Sony Alpha 7S II White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs very well under tungsten lighting with a slightly warm result, with the tungsten preset giving a more accurate or more neutral result. AWB performs very well under fluorescent lights, with the fluorescent preset giving a very slight colour cast. 

Sony Alpha 7S II Other sample images

Sony Alpha 7S II Digital filters

Digital Filters - There are a number of customisable picture effects which are preset colour modes, where you can alter contrast, saturation and sharpness. There are also a large number of creative effects, that let you apply digital filters to images including Toy camera, miniature and selective colour to name a few.

Video - The video recording features of the A7S Mark II have been updated, with the most noticeably and most welcome update being the ability to record 4K video directly to an internal memory card. Add in the 5-axis image stabilisation that works with any lens, and you have an excellent camera system that can be used hand-held to produce steady video. Here is a quick run-down of the video features:

• Full frame 4K internal recording (XAVC S) with full pixel readout without pixel binning, 30p, 25p, 24p
• 5-axis image stabilisation, 4.5 steps compensation, works with any lens (including legacy)
• 120fps HFR (High Frame Rate, 100MBps) video recording (at FullHD), up to 5x/4x slow motion
• Gamma Display assist, Black Gamma, Knee
• Wide dynamic range, 14stops, (1300% - plus 3.6 steps above 100%)
• S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3 (for Cinema) and S-Gamut3/S-Log3 (BT2020) profiles
• Enhanced Zebra display
• Dolby Digital Stereo

4K resolution (3840x2160, UHD), 30p, 25p, 24p, 100MBps XAVC S internal recording requires an SDXC card with UHS I – U:3 rating. 4K recording is a full pixel readout without pixel binning and uses the full-frame of the sensor. There is also clean HDMI output for 4K and FullHD. Video options include various profile options to deliver wider dynamic range and improved colour correction. The camera is particularly fussy about what memory card you use with the camera, even when you have the right card, with the camera occasionally telling you that you are using the wrong card. The camera will also throw up an error about the memory card if you try and switch between PAL and NTSC. Additional sample videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel.

The Sony Alpha A7S Mark II is available for £2499 body only, which makes it more expensive at launch than the original A7S, which had an RRP of £2099 body only, although lacked the ability to record 4K video internally. Alternative cameras available that record 4K video are listed below:

Leica SL (Typ 601), 24mp FF, 4K, £5050 body only.
Nikon D5, 20mp FF, 4K, £5199 body only (available from March).
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II, 20mp FF, 4K, £5199 body only (available from May).
Sony Alpha A7R II, 42mp FF, 4K, £2599 body only.
Panasonic Lumix GH4, 16mp Micro Four Thirds, 4K, £899 body only.
Samsung NX1, 28mp APS-C, 4K, £1145 body only.

Have a look at more 4K capable cameras in our Top 11 Best 4K Cameras 2015. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Verdict

For the serious videographer, or movie maker, the advanced options available for high quality video output that the Sony Alpha A7S Mark II provides will be most welcome, and compared to some of the competition, particularly traditional video cameras, the A7S Mark II will appear to be excellent value for money, even when compared to some of the other full-frame cameras available from Nikon and Canon. However, for those that are interested in stills photography as well, the Sony Alpha A7R Mark II is going to be much more appealing, particularly with the advances made in sensor technology, with the A7R Mark II providing a 42.4 megapixel full-frame sensor with an ISO range that goes up to ISO102400. 

The A7S Mark II has a very wide ISO range, although it is no longer class leading, as the 1D X Mark II matches it, and the Nikon D5 surpasses it (whilst also providing a higher resolution sensor and high speed continuous shooting). The A7S Mark II can focus in low light conditions, however, we found that due to the lack of a phase detection focussing system the success rate was much lower than when shooting with a traditional Digital SLR. 

For the hardcore low-light video fan, the A7S Mark II would be a dream camera, as long as you don't need 4K DCI CINE (4096 × 2160) resolution video, as the A7S Mark II records as 4K UHD video at a resolution of 3840 × 2160. For the low-light photographer who relies on auto-focus the case for the A7S Mark II is less clear cut, with the A7R Mark II offering phase detection focus on the sensor. If you need images with more than 12 megapixels, then the A7S Mark II isn't going to satisfy you. 

The are a number of improvements over the previous model, including improved handling and controls, additional focus points, as well as the excellent 5-axis image stabilisation system, and internal 4K video recording. However, as competitors (and Sony) have increased megapixels and began offering 4K video, the case for the A7S has become slightly less clear. For those that own the original A7S, the A7S Mark II is going to make an excellent upgrade. The range of FE lenses available has also increased, and if you can look past the 12 megapixel resolution, then the A7S Mark II is capable of producing excellent images.

Sony Alpha A7S Mark II Review - Verdict: The Sony Alpha A7S Mark II may not offer the highest resolution sensor, but does offer excellent noise performance plus built in image stabilisation and 4K video.

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