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.

Sony Alpha 7R II Review

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.

The Sony Alpha 7R II is the fifth full frame mirrorless camera from Sony. And it uses the newer, beefier body design, first introduced with the Sony Alpha 7II. Product badges aside, the bodies of the two cameras are essentially identical (bar the material used to build the cameras' front plates).

Part of the reason for the increased body size is the inclusion of an image stabilization system, which helps to steady the camera's 42MP sensor.

The a7R II is a hefty camera. Fortunately the grip is well-sized, making it easy to hold.

Physically, the a7R II feels very solid and well constructed. The body is comprised of magnesium alloy, and it features improved weather sealing, and a more robust lens mount, to support heavy glass.

Our biggest complaint about the new body design of the a7R II and a7 II is the small size of the control dials. They can be frustratingly difficult to hit, on the fly.

The camera offers twin control dials, one on the front and one on the back, in addition to a third click wheel, located next to the LCD. Many of us found the front and rear dials to be small and difficult to access, in the field, especially when compared to the substantially larger dials found on the original a7 series.

The Sony a7R II has a range of buttons dotted across its surfaces. Many of them are customizable but some are easier to reach than others.

Like the original a7R, as well as the a7 II, Sony has done a great job of making the Sony a7R II an incredibly customizable camera. In addition to a Function Menu, where users can tuck away up to 12 core features, the camera also has 10 customizable buttons in addition to a customizable click wheel on back.

The a7R II has the same body design as the a7 II. The grip is large, and comfortable to hold. The shutter button is also at an angle for easy access.

The shutter button has been moved from its location on the original a7R. It now sits on the front of the grip and is angled downward, for easy access. Its diameter has also been noticeably increased over its predecessor. If you're coming from the one of the original a7 cameras, it may take some time to get used to the reshaped grip, and the new location of the shutter. But in the end, we think the redesigned grip is for the better, especially considering the increased weight of the a7R II vs the original a7R. We only wish the expanded grip were an excuse for a new, larger battery that could fit inside the larger grip but, alas, no.

It's worth noting that the short form factor of the body means that you can't get a full grip with all fingers, and the corner of the body can dig into your palm. Thankfully, attaching Sony's vertical grip makes the camera feel far better in your hand, and extends battery life to boot. You can't charge batteries in the grip though (and removing batteries is cumbersome), and it's a shame that the Sony grip doesn't offer the robust wireless remote control with intervalometer that 3rd party grips offer. Unfortunately, the cheaper 3rd party alternative we tried had compatibility issues: it would reset the aperture frequently.

The back thumbrest is well-sized, and makes gripping the somewhat hefty a7R II a comfortable affair. Though some of our editors found that over prolonged use, the bottom of the camera body had a tendency to dig into one's hand. This can be remedied by attaching a vertical grip.

The back of the a7RII offers a substantial thumb rest, most of us found to be quite comfortable. The video record button is located on the other side of it and the memory card door is located directly below.

Both the front grip and rear thumbrest are wrapped in rubber, which makes it easy to grip the camera securely, even with one hand. So sweaty-palmed shooters can breath easy knowing the a7R II will not easily slip from their grip.

The screen articulates up and down, though not left and right.

The a7R II includes a 3-inch 1.2 million dot LCD that flips up and down, though not side to side. It is accompanied by a well-sized 2.3 million dot electronic viewfinder with 0.78x magnification. In use this means it's both large and very detailed and the refresh rate is fast enough that you're rarely likely to find yourself pining for an optical finder.

Unfortunately the sensor that chooses between the EVF and LCD is rather over-sensitive. Presumably in a bid to ensure the camera is always ready by the time you've raised it to your eye, the camera will shut off the LCD and jump to the EVF with the slightest provocation. This is particularly a problem if you're trying to shoot at waist level using the rear screen, because it'll shut off if you bring the camera too close to your body, but even a stray camera strap passing near the sensor is enough to interrupt your shooting or playback experience. We've found even more sensitivity issues in bright sunlight, with the switch appearing overly active. Switching through the menu options for Finder/Monitor Select is often cumbersome, and if you generally keep the this setting set to 'Auto', assigning and pressing a button for Finder/Monitor only temporarily switches the active display, reverting later on to 'Auto' (and it doesn't switch in playback). This can make for a confusing experience. A more sensible sensor, or a hard switch between EVF/LCD might make sense.

Author : funny sweet

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