Sony A7R II : Tests and Reviews

Pentax’s first foray into the world of full-frame DSLRs arrives in the shape of the 36Mp Pentax K-1. Costing just $1800 and boasting a high-resolution sensor, built-in sensor shift stabilization, and a weather-sealed body, it’s a lot of camera for your money. Let’s see how its sensor scores stack up in our industry-standard bench tests.

Canon’s iconic EOS 5D series of full-frame DSLRs have had wide appeal with both pro and enthusiast photographers, blending great image quality and good features in a more affordable mid-range body design. Boasting a significant number of upgrades over its predecessor, including increased resolution, an updated autofocus system, Dual Pixel RAW capture, improved metering and 4K-video capture, the latest Mark IV looks like a mouth-watering prospect for the still photographer.

Sony has been very busy introducing new lenses for their mirrorless models. Announced alongside the FE 50mm F1.8, this lens — the stabilized FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS — is a tele-zoom lens initially designed for the company’s full-frame bodies, but it will also appeal to users of Sony’s APS-C mirrorless bodies, for which it’s the equivalent of a 105-450mm.

For photographers working in fast-paced environments or after the convenience of a multi-purpose optic, zoom lenses are often a versatile option. Image quality on zooms has improved across many lenses, too, which in some cases come close to rivalling the performance of a prime.

Featuring a whopping 42.4Mp resolution, the Sony A7R II mirrorless camera is one of the highest-resolution consumer cameras currently available. It’s also currently the only camera to feature a full-frame 35mm BSI (backside illuminated) sensor — technology that allows the photocells to capture a greater intensity of light, and in theory, maximize image quality.

After introducing the new no-compromise G Master series for full-frame Alpha mirrorless cameras, Sony announced an inexpensive FE 50mm f/1.8 to add to the lineup. At $249, the new lens is much more accessibly-priced than that lofty GM series, or the Zeiss-branded FE 55mm F1.8 introduced soon after the initial launch of the full-frame cameras themselves.

One of three new lenses announced as part of Sony’s new no-compromise G Master series for full-frame a models, the new FE 85mm f1.4 GM sounds highly promising. Though it carries a hefty price premium — the new model will set you back close to $1,800 — it features cutting-edge optical technology.

Announced as one of a trio of lenses in the new G Master series, the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM boasts some pretty advanced technology to complement future sensor and camera designs. The G Master range sits above the maker’s already high-end G series and carries a hefty premium. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 will set you back close to $2,200.

Carl Zeiss’s latest range of Batis lenses has been specifically designed for the Sony A7 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A7R II and Sony A7S II. Together with the legendary optical precision and outstanding build quality for which Carl Zeiss lenses are known, the new Batis lenses also feature autofocus and an innovative OLED display on the lens barrel that gives both focus distance and depth-of-field information. The first new lenses released in the Zeiss Batis lineup are the 25mm f/2 wide-angle prime and 85mm f/1.8 short telephoto prime.

Carl Zeiss’s latest range of Batis lenses have been specifically designed for the Sony A7 series of full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A7R II and Sony A7S II. Together with the legendary optical precision and outstanding build quality for which Carl Zeiss lenses are known, the new Batis lenses also feature autofocus and an innovative OLED display on the lens barrel that gives both focus distance and depth-of-field information. The first lenses released in the Zeiss Batis lineup are the 25mm f/2 wide-angle prime and the 85mm f/1.8 short telephoto prime.