Sony A7S II : Tests and Reviews
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Further readings for the Sony A7S II
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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. |
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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. |
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The new Sony A7S II is the upgrade to the A7S and offers ultra-high sensitivity up to ISO409600 and 5-axis stabilization in what promises to be an impressive available-light camera. In addition, the A7S II builds on its predecessor’s video credentials, adding 4K (UHD) internal and Full HD video up to 120 fps. Read on to find out how well the sensor in this new model performs. |
Comments
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Added by Maxone |
April 05 , 2016
High ISO a7s vs a7s ii
Just read here, https://www.cinema5d.com/ultimate-sony-a7s-ii-vs-a7s-test-difference/
Sony a7s ii is much better in low light high iso test comparing to a7s. DXOMark test results are only mathematical, in real life result look much different. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by Bilbo |
April 06 , 2016
Re: High ISO a7s vs a7s ii
It's a video comparison dude. Video record is not guaranteed to be RAW.
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Added by pr1324 |
February 08 , 2016
Must be a typo?
How can the ISO score be so much lower than the A7S? They say it's the same sensor...makes no sense.
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Added by Bilbo |
February 14 , 2016
Re: Must be a typo?
http://www.dxomark.com/About/In-depth-measurements
Read that to answer your own questions. The final ISO score is not an average of colour depth, DR and 18% gray noise, it is a biggest (possibly interpolated) ISO value at which all three measurements are above acceptable level. Reply |
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Added by maddmarlowe |
December 15 , 2015
It is a Video Camera
I'm not sure why people are so hung up on the score. This is a video-centric camera.
As a video camera it far exceeds the capabilities of the A7r mkII in every way. The a7r ii is only usable to a MAXIMUM ISO of 12k, whereas this camera is nearly usable at 51k ISO. I own both, but for different reasons. It exceeds the a7s mkI as a video camera as well. It shoots internal 4k and has internal stabilization. These are no small achievements. For reference I have a Panasonic GH4, which shoots awful photos in my opinion but decent video in well lit situations, and a Nikon d800 which is fantastic for still images. I actually prefer the photos that come from my A7s mkII versus the D800, it renders great colors and shadow depth, they just seem more eye pleasing. That is why I bought the A7r mkII, which is amazing for still images, and better than a GH4 for video. Bottom line, sensor scores and data don't tell the whole story. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by kalimaa |
December 15 , 2015
Re: It is a Video Camera
People are so hung up on the score, because apart from being video-centric, the A7s is also the best low-light photography tool around. I just want to know if Mark II performs better or worse at astrophotography than Mark I. The score says no, and the "whole story" for this use case has not yet been told. It's not like if it performs bad at astro I will just switch to video because there it performs good. Thanks
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Added by maddmarlowe |
December 15 , 2015
Re: It is a Video Camera
I see your point. I don't think astrophotography is the target market for this camera. Sony is catering to the video crowd with the A7s and increasing the sensor performance was not on the list of complaints from videographers. I never expected them to increase performance. No internal 4k was the biggest issue.
I can say, as a video camera it excels at everything except battery life. Reply |
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Added by kalimaa |
December 12 , 2015
How come?
I'm using an A7s for astrophotography and have been determined to make the switch to an A7s II. Very disappointed ... It's my understanding that the sensor has not been modified between Mark I and II. What are your thoughts regarding the cause of this high-ISO performance difference? Is it something software? Can it be due to manufacturing variation? Or has the sensor still been modified in any way?
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Added by kalimaa |
December 14 , 2015
Re: How come?
Especially since the A7r has gained 688 ISO points and the A7s has lost 709 ISO points between Mark I and Mark II. Very strange if you ask me ...
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Added by ahsanford |
December 11 , 2015
Hrm?
How does the A7S II "redefine low light performance"?
These results should be viewed as disappointing. In low light, the original A7S outperforms the A7S II! Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by n13L5 |
February 14 , 2016
Re: Hrm?Quote: <div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Sony/A7S-II">this page on the website</a></div>How does the A7S II "redefine low light performance"? These results should be viewed as disappointing. In low light, the original A7S outperforms the A7S II! I totally agree. Its a massive disappointment, as the A7R II got a massive upgrade in every area of operation / performance, the only real hardware upgrade the A7S II received was IBIS. What about internal 4K recording you say? SLog3? Well, that and other more minor improvements were merely firmware updates that could have been sent out to the A7S as well, by a more customer friendly company. - it kept the old sensor with no improvement to processing speed, which would have been useful for video in various ways, including reduction of rolling shutter induced issues when panning. - it lost sensitivity - its insufficient color space produces banding - the AF still sucks, The AF improvements of the A7R would not only be welcome, but EXPECTED, given that it costs very close to the same. I know I'm forgetting some things. So, Sony seriously cheaped out on the A7S II update in a blatant cash-grab. The A7R is a far better value proposition - Videographers are forced to pony up the same money for a lot less. Sure, you can say it'll still do video fairly well within the limits of the old sensor, but really - other than the A7S II's sensor resolution being better for video, the A7R II is better at photography and video in every other area, especially AF and processing speed. With a low resolution version of the A7R II's sensor technology, the A7S II would be able to do 120 fps in 4K Reply |
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Added by foxtower |
November 23 , 2015
ETA?
Any date yet on a full review. (Patiently standing by...)
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Added by foxtower |
December 10 , 2015
Re: ETA?
Just in time for Xmas! Thanks guys. Surprising results. Sensor outperformed by the A7S I... so stabilization is it's main advantage?
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