The original A7 series of cameras from Sony proved the concept that it was possible to put high quality, full frame sensors into a feature-rich camera body with a smaller footprint. Now in 2016 the second series of A7 cameras, the A7II, A7RII, and A7SII are all available and ready for action. Each of these cameras has many features that are similar to each other, but they also have specialized features that are attractive to shooters of various disciplines. Let’s take a look at some of the similarities and differences so that you can better understand the lineup.
July 2020: Sony has just announced the brand new a7S III! Check out our First Look with Sony Artisan Taylor Rees.
Similarities
Let’s begin with the obvious, the look of these cameras. The A7II, A7RII, and A7SII all feature the same ergonomic camera design. Other than the additional badging on the A7RII and A7SII models, the layout of the buttons, weight, and grip are all identical. They all feature a full frame sensor which produce amazing results for both stills and video. All 3 cameras take advantage of Sony’s full frame lens lineup as well, including their newest G-Master line of lenses like the 85mm 1.4GM, 24-70 2.8GM, and 70-200 2.8GM. They all offer 5-axis in body image stabilization, which comes in handy when shooting at long shutter speeds handheld. Screen sizes on these models are all the same as well. Essentially, if you were to remove the badges and model numbers from the camera you would think you were holding the exact same cameras. They each have WiFi and NFC built in which allows you to quickly and conveniently transfer your photos wirelessly direct from your camera to your phone or other devices. This is however where many of the similarities end.
Overview – A7II
First, let’s begin with the A7II. It was the first camera available in this group and offers a tremendous value for still photographers who occasionally shoot video. The A7II features a 24.3mp full frame sensor with the benefit of 5-Axis stabilization (IBIS for short), a feature that its predecessors didn’t offer. For video, it offers 1080 HD resolution at 50 Mbps (24p, 30p, & 60p) in the XAVC S format. The EVF on the A7II offers a 2.36 million-dot XGA OLED resolution which comes in handy when shooting in a variety of situations, including low light.
Overview – A7SII
The A7SII takes a different approach than the A7II and A7RII, in that it’s aimed towards low light shooters and videographers looking to shoot in 4k internally. It offers professional video recording features like S-Log3, S-Gamut3, and records up to 120fps in full HD with no pixel binning. 4k video can also be output to an external recorder like the Atomos Ninja Assassin which I own and love. On top of offering these prosumer video features, it offers unparalleled dynamic range allowing you to shoot up to 409600 ISO, with fast and accurate AF as low as -4 EV. I’ve tested this out in the most extreme low light situations, shooting in a dark room with no lights on and being able to capture an image in perfect focus. Talk about impressive! The EVF on the A7SII takes things a step further than the A7II thanks to Zeiss’ T* coating which offers high-contrast viewing without distracting reflections. For stills, you’re able to capture 12.2mp images which is more than adequate for printing large images.
Overview – A7RII
The A7RII is what I would consider the best-all around shooter for both stills and video. It offers the highest resolution stills of the group at a staggering 42.4 megapixels. It does this utilizing the world’s first back-illuminated, full frame CMOS sensor which offers a 3.5 times faster transmission speed than the original Sony A7R. It also offers 399 phase-detection AF points which covers the majority of the screen which makes tracking subjects faster and more accurate. While the A7SII allows you to shoot at 409600 ISO, the A7RII is no slouch allowing you to shoot up to 102400 ISO. It also allows you to shoot in 4k video quality internally (and externally) utilizing XAVC-S and XAVC-HD formats up to 100Mbps. Just like the A7SII it also features Zeiss T* coating on the EVF. For someone who is primarily a photographer but also wants the capability of shooting video in 4k, this is definitely the one to own.
Ergonomics
The new A7 series of cameras have taken ergonomics up a notch compared to the previous generation. The all new design for the top of the camera and grip places the shutter button in a spot that is easier to reach and more familiar for traditional DSLR shooters. Having owned the first generation A7 cameras, I can say that I find shooting with this new design much more comfortable especially during longer photo sessions. One thing to take note of is that the original A7 battery grips, cases and L-brackets won’t work on the new generation due to the updated design. While the ergonomics have improved tremendously, as a portrait shooter I still find a good battery grip to be a necessity no matter the camera model or system.
One of the best features on this new A7 series is having the ability to program a variety of buttons on the camera and customize them for the features you use most. On my cameras I have my C3 button set up for focus magnification (a handy feature when focusing manually), C2 to adjust ISO, and C1 to access my apps (time-lapse and sky HDR being my favorites). Since I often use spot focusing, I have the center button inside of the wheel set to “standard”, which when press highlights the focus point to allow you to move it around the screen to place it where you need it. You can even customize your movie recording button if you find its natural placement on the right side of the camera to be an issue. Overall, the ergonomics are definitely a reason for prior A7 owners to upgrade to the newest generation A7II/A7RII/A7SII.
Conclusion
Sony offers a camera body to suit practically any shooter out there. For people asking me which still camera to own, I confidently point them to the A7II knowing it will give high-quality images which I’ve had blown up to a billboard size without issue. For the person out there who primarily shoots video and wants the best video-related functionality (not to mention low light capability), the A7SII stands tall above the A7II/A7RII as well as many other DSLR/mirrorless cameras. For the shooters out there who are looking for the highest resolution while still being able to shoot 4k, the A7RII makes things easy by giving you the best mix. Sony has added a slew of new tech in these latest generation A7 cameras, all of which are definitely worth the upgrade for prior users and DSLR users alike.
