DPReview just issued the 2015 Awards. And the best product of the year is the Sony A7rII:
The Sony’s combination of image quality, video capability and autofocus performance come together to make it our camera of the year. The camera’s sheer capability: a 42MP sensor that performs well in high contrast or low light situations, built-in image stabilization, 4K video with internal recording, is hugely impressive. But add to this the ability to sensibly use other brands’ lenses and the a7R II becomes a significant camera far beyond the market for this particular high-end model: it could be the sign of things to come.
And the best zoom compact camera is the RX100m4:
The RX100 series has redefined what’s possible with a pocket camera and the Mark IV has pushed that capability even further. Sony’s latest Stacked CMOS sensor adds high speed capabilities (plus improved autofocus) and, when combined with the higher-res viewfinder, results in the best RX100 yet. Which is to say, the best pocket compact yet.
Well done Sony!
A7rII store list:
In USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore US, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Wex UK and ParkCameras.
In Asia at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX100m4 cameras store links:
In USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Wex UK.
In Asia at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
155 Responses
Yeah, yeah, very exciting.
Now, about that A99II…
There will be no a99ii, no new A mount camera ever.
” Mirrorless the next generation of photography”…promo display banner in all Best Buy stores.
“Sony broke the mirror”
I do not know why Sony is unwilling to officially anounce that they no longer make any A mount cameras and never will again
But I also don’t understand why everyone, including yourself , has not yet realized that this is what is happening.
Couldn’t care less about A-Mount. If Sony release A99II-equivalent in E-Mount with corresponding lenses, so be it.
But A7rII is definitely “not it”.
My vote is on Sony releasing a rather larger E-mount body with longer battery life etc. using essentially a development of A7R II technology (IBIS, shutter, sensor, EVF) and throwing an LEA3 adapter into the box (or maybe a variation produced for the camera).
It ought to be relatively cheap to develop. The biggest problem will be to get the styling right as it will be very shallow at the flange and might look odd with a body that is too large (and even odder with native E-mount lenses). So I don’t expect such a camera to be as big as an A99.
im guessing they could trim abit, the a99 can take 3 batteries with the grip, think 3rd is in camera, so im guessing that hole is bigger than a77
but once you add the buttons, fancy lcd, ports (a7 has much less?) and top lcd, your limiting your slimming options
The big difference is that mirror box. That’s quite a lot of space.
yes and no, quite a few e mount lenses end up being effectively as long as slr + similar lens.
so with a slow kit zoom yeah you gain, but with telephoto lenses? not really.
Paul I think there is great advantage in the smaller flange distances. Instead of the empty air of the mirror box, you can have correcting optics in its place.
Take the RX1R as example, it’s recessed so far below that red metallic ring and it’s making use of pretty much the entire real estate from sensor to tip of the lens.
This same lens is also an incredible lens rated very highly from most websites.
It’s not a coincidence the FE 55mm, and the FE 90mm, and the RX1R are all highly rated lenses.
the rx1 isnt interchangeable, which gives you more freedom of lens design, ive got the sigma dp’s so i know you can make small great lenses, and the old oly trip, but they are all fixed lens, and short/middle focal lengths. nearly all telephoto designs have the rear element quite far forward. and the difference is some 23mm? or around that between mirrorless and slr
You’re right about them being fixed lens.
But if there was an optical advantage to having huge flange distance of empty air, I think those fixed lens cameras would select this.
This is why I think the opposite if true, there is huge advantage of having optics in place of the mirror box.
Another visible example is the FE 28mm. It is fighting above its 450 dollar weight class due to this advantage.
it varies with the focal length, the area covered by kit lenses you will see some advantage, but the longer telephoto lenses dont have lens elements closer to the sensor in nearly all designs
the f stop of the lens also might play a part, the current mirrorless fast kit zoom lenses are actually heavier than my sony 16-50 f2.8 😮
for ultrawide it depends on micro lenses and cover glass, not sure if the old film lens ultrawides work well on the a7rii,
and yes the new fe lenses are great, but then making a great lens at a high price is achiveable with any mount
I just looked up the FE 70-200mm. And you’re right about this.
There is a huge section of empty air in the back of the lens without any optics.
This isn’t what I expected at all.
“I do not know why Sony is unwilling to officially anounce that they no longer make any A mount cameras and never will again”…. surprised there is something you don’t believe you know more than sony. a-mount, not SLT, is what most people want. sony doesn’t have long term ‘strategy’ and make decisions base on current market.
Well, dpreview de-facto confirmed where will be no A99II is 2015 😉 Do you feel happier now?
I think Thom Hogan hits the nail on the head (or maybe the nail in the coffin) i his latest article on Sony. See the fifth paragraph that starts with “Other sites are wondering…”
OK, found it.
=> my answer to anymalsbybarry below
Took him a while, but good for him. On a side note, Sony would’ve gotten another three grand of a lot of A7Rll buyers if they’d have put that A5S electronic ND filter in the A7Sll. Internal ND is the missing link in both cameras.
No surprise here.
A7rii wiil win most camera of the year awards
Yep. I genuinely believe so but time will tell.
A7rII not only won the product of the year award but also shares the joint first place in full frame ilc category with the Nikon D750.
Yes, admin could have mentioned that too…
But the year isn’t over yet…
But other manufacturers wont even overtake the A7rII in 2016
Dpreview are considering cameras from Photokina 2014 till Photokina 2015.
Photokina is every two years. This year we have photoplus. But I agree, I don’t expect any revolutionary product from Canon or Nikon. Not even Panasonic will make a dent on the A7rII until January CES or before NAB 2016.
Yes it is. It’s too late to release something major before the holiday shopping season.
It’s based on the Chinese new year.
Joint product of the year…
Product of the year???
The year is not done and there are still cameras to come. This is clearly an award payed for by Sony.
LOL
Ever considered that the awards are not based on the calendar year? Of course not, that wouldn’t fit with your conspiracy theory.
True, but who’s non calendar year ends in October?
October? I was convinced it was March. I need a coffee.
LOL !
What is Canon going to actually release to retail that would bump the Sony by year’s end? A cheaper M mount camera? I’m a Canon fanboy and pro user….SONY deserves the top prize for best 2015 Camera. The 5Ds/r should be in the top 5, but not #1.
Canon fanboy rant about short battery life in 3, 2, 1…..
Battery exhausted in 3, 2, 1
And, battery changed faster than you just typed your petty gripe!
Also, you show your fanboyism.
Mirror mirror on the wall.
Which breaks your 4K video recording in 3, 2, 1….
Not bad for a camera that is “useless for real pro’s” or an artist like me”… 🙂
I get the feeling your a fisheye kind of guy.
Ah, the picture… Got a fisheye from the minolta days, one of the fiew picture ever done with it, and its my daughter that did it…
Fully deserved! Its revolutionary in so many aspects!
Ahem. It’s first BSI FF sensor (in consumer product) and has better OSPDAF. But otherwise the camera is quite unremarkable.
Compare against the 4k output from its immediate competitors? Sony 1 and all others 0. How about dynamic range compared to 5dsr? Sony wins! Shall we go on???
Hmmm…continue….
See above.
“All others” – jeez fanboys…
Let compare base ISO DR to the D810 (which has been out for a while). Surprise! Sony loose that one – even though it has a brand new BSI sensor! Nikon 1 – all others 0.
What if you don’t need video at all? I’d preferr looseless 14 bit *uncooked* raw instead of 4K video anytime.
My point? It doesn’t make much sense to compare single features like that.
How much photography is done above base ISO? Above that, the Sonys rule: https://luminous-landscape.com/sony-a7r-ii-review-dynamic-range-compared-to-canon-5dsr-canon-1dx-and-nikon-d810/
AFAIK A7R II is used a lot by landscape photogs and they mostly shoot at base ISO to get maximum DR. Have you seen many A7R II’s at sports event lately? Or its predecessor A7R? Didn’t think so.
So how many cameras out there outside of Canon can AF to a pretty good degree with many Canon lenses ?
And how many cameras out there have a 35mm sensor and can do internal 4k recording WITH IBIS ?
This is one camera that does a hell lot of things and does them well too. You have excellent still cameras like the Canon 5Dr and the Nikon D810 but which have crap video. You have excellent video oriented cameras like the GH4 and the A7sII but don’t do so great on stills performance.
And then you have the A7rII which merges both the worlds together and still is highly competitive against both the best still cameras and the best video cameras.
Don’t forget the “5 axis” IBIS. Not the first on an FF camera of course as the A7 II had it first, but it’s still a very new feature and part of the package. Then there’s the silent shutter which, whilst not unique of course, is very much a breakthrough on a high MP FF camera.
That’s the thing, not unique. I would call it revolutionary if it had everything for the first time. Maybe I am too strict here. But my impression is that words like “revolutionary” or “disruptive” are used too lightly.
I would not say “strict”. I would say obnoxious since rethorics seems to be your thing here.
Making everything larger is unique, revolutionary.
Many could make electronic shutters, providing it at this sensor size and this resolution, at this price is revolutionary, size wise it’s twice what the competition of any price range could offer, resolution wise it’s 3 times the resolution of the last FF camera that could do this.
In your world is there no such thing called yield? Many could make BSI, only Sony could make it at reasonable yields at FF. If Sony could push it to 645, that would again be revolutionary.
You could make marvels with modern technology, bespoke and without consideration to costs, but that’s not how the market works.
The d810 has efcs in mup, too. If making everything larger is revolutionary a lot belongs into this category.
efcs?That’s practically useless on a dslr.
I use it a lot. Not useless at all.
If you say so.
Then I do believe a7 was released before d810, and also has efcs?
Yes, shortly before. But A7rii is not A7, right? EFCS is not new in DSLRs: Canon 5DII, 5DIII, 7D, 6D, 40D, 50D, 70D and 1dx have it, too, as far as I know.
Alright? If EFCS is a very useful feature on a DSLR(which I still think it’s not) then I guess the first FF DSLR that came with it could be called revolutionary.
Oh yeah not mention its the smallest full frame in the world – or 5 axis stabilisation or the best full frame sensor on the market. Oh yeah 4k slog 3 video er shall I go on? Seems pretty revolutionary to me- who u kidding?
It’s not the smallest, A7 was smaller and RX1 is smaller still.
A7II already had 5 axis, as did Olympus.
etc.
Nice feature set, but nothing revolutionary.
It’s the combination of the features that makes it revolutionary over the competition – although it’s more evolutionary on the a7 series. Specs wise its miles ahead of the competition. compare to Canon or Nikon latest offerings I would say it is revolutionary.
That is not a revolution to me. A revolution provides a disruptive technology, for me. It is a mix of A7s + A7ii. It is not difficult to add a new sensor, it is normal to improve firmware etc. It is a great camera nonetheless, at the cutting edge of what technology provides us right now. Specs wise it is not miles ahead, only in certain categories, not in others. Thing is, most specs don’t help you in the field or on events. Otherwise all sport shooters would go with the A7rii and adapted lenses. But evolution of technology will guarantee, in my opinion, that we will see a future A9 or whatever to be a great sports cam, too.
Again I would say the combination of features does make it miles ahead. I shoot video professionally and would say the a7s and now a7sii are definitely revolutionary for the price but I am sure someone can always argue otherwise- its pretty subjective but I don see anyone else offering anything even close to what they offer.
Here I agree with your statement, revolutionary in the performance in video offered for this _price_. The mere specs alone wouldn’t be revolutionary for me, but regarding the price, you put on forward something worth considering.
yes for sure it has be all taken together – price being a major factor too. Regardless of whether people consider it revolutionary (and i can see why people say its not) I think what sony have achieved with these cameras is really amazing. I personally think the jump is big enough to call it just an evolutionary step but it doesnt really matter – they are awesome cameras.
BSI, and 4k aren’t a revolution to you? Ummm, WHO are you exactly, and why should the folks at DPreview pay any attention to you? Also, why should anyone else listen to you?
Nobody needs to listen to me. You seem to do, however. Does this mean that I need to be a Nobel laureate to be allowed to disagree? Is 4K a new technology never used before in a camera or by Sony? Is going from 2k to 4k or from 4k to 8k revolutionary? BsI is already used in smartphones, by Samsung in NX1,… so is it revolutionary when used by Sony? I am not sure and because of that I am reluctant to use this phrase. But please elaborate why it indeed is revolutionary.
Both BSI and 4K video recording is nothing new.
Yes BSI in FF is new but hardly revolutionary – just a natural evolution. 4K has been done even in smartphones years before the A7R II.
But even if A7R II was/is revolutionary Sonys support (compared to Canon/Nikon eco systems) ensures that it won’t be THE evolution.
But we’re getting closer. It just that specs is not enough. If Sony wants Canon/Nikon pros to switch over their support system (for pros at least) needs to improve.
Hah really- I know so many pros switching right now.
While I agree to an extent, like all mirror less cameras the sensor is the biggest part of what the camera is capable of and this is essentially just an A7 II with a different sensor. And yes, all these technologies have been seen before, 4K, BSI, IBIS, OSpDAF etc. Nothing ‘revolutionary’ in terms of a single spec point. But nobody has been able to do all these things together and that is what makes it revolutionary. Everyone has their party piece be it resolution, IBIS, OSPDAF, 4K video etc. It’s nice to see these technologies but bringing them all together in one device IS revolutionary. 4K wth IBiS – no one has that. 4K with FF – no one has that. BSI with FF – no one has that. PDAF that focuses legacy lenses AND other mount lenses dating back decades – no one has that. PDAF that actually works in low light? PDAF on FF sensor. No one has that. Silent shutter FF sensor – no one has that. Heck low vibration shutter / mirror mechanicals in any mode – No one has that. Add that to some of the highest image quality available and it is a formidable package. Yes technologies on their own are fine, but they aren’t disruptive if it is a single party piece. This packages the best of everything together, no more do you need 4, 5, 6 cameras to do different tasks. There are a few points people an nit pick if they want (and do) but there is NOTHING like the A7R II.
+1 ! If there is anything even remotely équivalent, I’d like to know. ??
“If you take something and make it your own … it’s your design and that is the dividing line between copying and stealing. That is part of Apple’s DNA.” Now it’s also SONY’s DNA in the camera business too, it seems
Errr, no.
Well said! Thats exactly right!
If you see it that way, I can’t argue against it. I am more strict, though. Basically it means that some of the software packages we developed at our institute are revolutionary ;-), as those single features were put the first time together and nobody else has it in one package and we can simulate a lot of different flows without the need of other packages as before. Good to know.
Well then nothing is revolutionary, everything uses something that existed before.
I wouldn’t say A7rII is even up to the 6D/D610 level, let alone 5D3/D810, when it comes to the specs that are important to me. For me, it’s far behind Canon and Nikon and has a long way to go.
Video – it’s the video functionality Sally, you don’t quite grasp this point do you!
You mean specs that make it lame? I’ve owned the 6D… There is not one thing that camera is better at.
“I wouldn’t say”, “important to me”, “For me, it’s far behind” me, me, me. Everyone has different requirements but I think you are in the minority. And I think the awards don’t target individual photographers, but to the larger community.
None of the above have 4k, nor a backside illuminated sensor. Revolutionary.
So what?A7 and RX1 don’t have half the features, a7II has a worse sensor, worse shutter, worse EVF etc, Olympus has 1/4th the frame. It’s what puts all the good things in one package that counts, not that it shares parts of that package with many.
So, nothing revolutionary.
Dmitry have you ever considered giving up photography for comedy? Your jokes might get more laughs in that career field.
It’s a decent camera limited by Sony ecosystem. The camera alone is good, but the system in general isn’t. So even if Sony bought the “award” from Amazon / Dpreview there is no other camera offers as many features (some are solid, some are half-baked) as the A7r2.
Apart from all the superb video & audio functionality, and as you mentioned, BSI FF sensor and better OSPDAF. I agree, unremarkable……… WTFAYSLOL.
It’s the first DSC with internal super35 / full fame 4K recording, first CMOS full frame camera with completely silent shutter (a huge deal in some situations – sound blimps cost thousands and are bulky and difficult to shoot with) and it’s the first full frame mirrorless camera to focus Canon lenses competently!
Devolution of lens mount, ergonomics, battery life… abandonment of loyalist AMounters.
Flash pan success. Sphony is the man of the hour for a very short second.
Ah heck, “There you go again” thirty-five years out of date and still not seeing the “motion” of the digital ocean. (PS. There’s a clue in there for you Clyde).
I don’t know how I feel about this.
sonyreview.com
The dude that runs Canonwatch must have just shit his pants since he wrote that long bitter and angry article dissing the a7R II… And then there’s Ken Rockwell but then again, he is just a legend in his own mind…
Sold all my remaining A-mount $hit this week (I had a complete system). Nothing was wrong with it, but it’s been collecting dust ever since I got A7ii and then A7Rii. I’m sure it’ll all serve someone well for years.
I have all FE primes and zooms (except 24-70 and that big super 24-240). Getting another A7Rii as a 2nd body and probably whatever next set of glass that get released. The hype is real and I don’t care what anyone says – the iQ is miles ahead of anything available from A-mount bodies, just accept it. If you can’t that’s because you haven’t used the systems side by side. I have for the past year and it’s a no contest. OSPDAF on A7Rii is tits. Incremental size/weight advantages are a nice bonus, I’m getting used to ergonomics. Battery life is a problem…? Not for me, I usually get 500+ shots on a single battery.
Was a bit reluctant to let go of the really nice A-glass, but adapters are $hit, even with A7Rii, good enough, but not good enough to match native glass, so no point for me. F2.8 FE zooms will arrive eventually, I’m in no hurry. In the meantime FE primes are simply better than any A-mount primes (sans the 135, though I’m sure 135 Batis, if it ever becomes a reality, will at least match it based on the results I’m getting from the 25 and 85 Batis). Having 1 systems is so much less hassle.
Will all this newer fancy gear make my photographer better? From artistic perspective – absolutely not. But for my workflow, usability, and flexibility in post – fck yeah, no question about it. If you are starting out today I see 0 reason to get into A-mount. If you are looking to switch and can afford to take a hit on resale value – do it. If you’re happy with your A-mount, keep it… I ran 2 systems side by side for a while and for my use with introduction of A7Rii things have tipped the scales and I’m not coming back. I don’t give two $hits about reviews and ratings, but again – the hype is real and DPR got it right 🙂
It sure does. But the question is, is it _revolutionary_? Most aspects are already there in similar cameras (A7x) or crop sensor cameras etc. From an engineering point of view I wouldn’t call it revolutionary, but a mere evolution. This doesn’t mean it not to be a great camera.
Sooo, HF, what’s revolutionary to you? An upscaled 7dII Canon sensor? I’m seeing lots of griping here about the selection – why don’t you tell us what you think is the best, and we’ll have a chance at berating that item.
You feel annoyed, did I disturb the party? The first mirrorless, the first Foveon sensor, the development of IBIS, the first development of the phase-detect system, the first development of eye AF, …. and many more. When ever things are there, it is not revolutionary to evolve up on previous versions of a camera and include those features already probed. I don’t use Canon by the way. But do you think that Sony is not upscaling or downscaling sensors?
First 4k in a full frame? This isn’t a Foveon sensor, btw – if you’re going to spout off, get it right. Also, very new, is getting it all into a small body. The giant-sized Canon actually downgraded its video quality from the 5DMIII. Is THAT a revolutionary camera? And the Nikons aren’t upping the ante either. So, even with all that room for new features in those large DSLR bodies, the main players are turgid to the point of inducing torpor. Tell me, what’s your idea of doing something new and revolutionary in the camera market. We’re dying to know.
You asked _generally_ about what is revolutionary to me. I never said the A7rii includes a Foveon sensor. Is 4K in the A7rii included for the first time, what about A7s? Why do you pick on Canikon, please don’t move the goal posts. It is about whether the A7rii is revolutionary. I didn’t say Canikon is. For me Canikon are evolutionary at best. I am no analyst, just a scientist. If I or you knew what the next “big disruptive thing” were, I would found a company doing just that. I gave some examples of what I, personally, found revolutionary, isn’t that enough for you? And please stop your mocking tone, doesn’t suit you. Or is it just that you have problems accepting other peoples opinions?
The A7S only has external 4k. I guess I’m actually peeved at the Photorumors site, where they carry on about short battery life like it’s the only important criteria for excellence in cameras. We may just have to agree to disagree about what constitutes revolutionary and move on. I, too, am a scientist and work at a global top 40 university. Sorry if the tone wasn’t to your liking.
No problem, there are more important things to argue about.
Here an interesting article of what could be the next big thing: http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/the-light-camera-almost.html.
Everything is evolutionary then by your standards. What if i made a car that can fly? Cars have been invented and so have aeroplanes. But the combination of the technologies makes it a revolution. But we could argue this eternally haha
5ds sensor is not upscaled 7d2 sensor. Stop misleading people if you don’t know what you’re talking about
It has similar performance characteristics, in terms of noise when pushed, and even moreso above base iso. Here’s a page with an informitive video: https://luminous-landscape.com/sony-a7r-ii-review-dynamic-range-compared-to-canon-5dsr-canon-1dx-and-nikon-d810/
Completely disagree here about being evolutionary. Its has the world’s first mass market bsi 35mm sensor, a completely redesigned AF system that allows most 3rd party lenses to work very well with the camera greatly increasing the number of lenses you can use, the world’s first mass market 35mm sensor sensor camera with internal 4k recording, largest viewfinder available and more.
I honestly don’t know what camera you will call revolutionary when it does multiple things for the first time in the world and becomes one of the first cameras to offer usable AF with many other lens mounts. That feature alone is extremely revolutionary in my book and is the reason this camera is selling well despite its high price
Although it is a BSI 35mm sensor, I don’t see that as a revolution alone. It is a proven technology already and upscaling for _me_ is evolutionary. Internal 4k recording is already there in other cameras, too, do you think it to be a revolution to add it to a FF camera? Is making an lcd in the VF larger something special? The PD-system using third party glass, how is it different to what Olympus used to allow other lenses being attached with PD (old 43 lenses, or third part lenses with adapter)? My viewpoint is that from a scientist, maybe. The invention of a technology, being able to change the way other technology is used or developed further, is revolutionary for me.
The invention of IBIS, for example, the invention of an lcd, the sensor tech allowing sony to increase DR (e.g. ADC on chip), the invention of mirrorless, … So just putting known things together is not enough for _me_ unless it changes the way the whole market works or gives you a totally different way of taking photographs.
You are of course entitled to your opinion but the point is THE biggest consumer digital camera website in the world thinks its the #1 camera of the year which means you are in a very small minority who doesn’t think its a revolutionary product.
I think it to be well deserved. But does it need to be revolutionary for this award?
A lot many people think so. And I am I personally believe so as well. The Samsung NX1 is the only camera that I can think of that may deserve the award more.
Good for you then to belong to the majority
Of course. Sometimes its very good to be in the majority ! 🙂
Psychopaths and serial killers also don’t belong to the majority !!!
Anyways jokes aside this $3199 camera has been at the top of the amazon mirror-less charts for a couple of months now. So its revolutionary that even though its a very expensive camera and not one that I can afford people are still buying it as they obviously see usage for such a device regardless of it being the most expensive mirror-less camera this side of Leica.
I will buy it myself, by the way, as we want to have a 2 Nikon 2 Sony setup for weddings.
“Everyone goes with the flow… but the one who goes against it becomes someone remarkable.”
Before I could explain this to the traffic police, the man issued me a Fine
http://www.slrlounge.com/light-l16-camera-change-game-set-stage-future-now/ or http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/the-light-camera-almost.html is what I could think to be revolutionary. What is your opinion on this?
That *could* be revolutionary. Many thought the Lytro cameras would be revolutionary but they were severely handicapped.
The above is not a finished product and it remains to be seen if it can be actually useful in everyday shooting. Sometimes tech and user friendliness don’t always mix well.
Joint place with D750. I will own both.
I don’t see how the D750 is even mention. Only 24 Mpixels and no 4k. Sheesh – SO 2012.
The D750 provides a great lightweight DSLR with great sensor (Sony!) and great AF for a low price (now for 1400Euros in some places). As we use D810, D750, A7ii and tried the A7rii, CAF is still 2012 (;-)) in the A7rii in my opinion. AFS is great though and the difference is quite small for me, here. We don’t need 4k, so this is not an important variable for me. For others the weights are different.
You probably drive a horse and buggy.
The NX1 was runner-up to the A7r II.
Joint place for FF camera system, but winner for the overall product of the year category.
It got product of the year, nothing more, nothing less from one source. Now we got into a tit for tat on revolution vs unremarkable. I shoot with canon but hav a 7rII. This camera is a really really nice camera. I love it. Is is revolutionary? I would not go as far as that. Unremarkable? Hell no. But this is one sweet all around, in a fairly compact package camera. Sony just needs to work on a complete system. The lenses are coming, at least that’s what Zeiss keeps telling me. I think the Batis was back ordered before it was released. Sorry for the digression. But Sony still lags way behind on flash and processing ability. My old 1dx processes light speeds ahead of this camera. I can make a sandwich while I wait for this camera to format a card. But I truly love shooting with this camera. I have even started doing more video because of this camera. This camera is with me all of the time.
Like many others’ comments, we all don’t get why a “camera of the year” is announced in early October with close to 3 months to go till year’s end. Isn’t there a big camera show coming up soon where even APS-C fans are hoping Sony will announce the A6000 successor? Won’t other camera manufacturers be announcing new products at that show? It’s all strange, and it takes away from the award because there’s no telling if some better camera might be announced before end of December.
The A7RII has already been released and has demonstrated itself as a formidable camera in real word conditions.
Even though there’s big potential for new cameras go be announced, there’s generally do ng to be a very big gap between when the camera is announced and when it actually ships. To put this into perspective, the a7rii was announced in June, but shipped in August, that’s a 2 month gap. So even if the big camera show announces new cameras, it won’t be released until maybe December or even January. Reviewers generally need a lot of time with a camera before declaring somwthing “camera of the year”.
Marketing year ends by Christmas when the wishlist gets full.
Crazy, they haven’t even announced the A7III yet with 50 percent faster AF, dual card slots and an A77II battery. Advanced 5 axis good for 5 stops and 599 of those phase detect points. Did I mention the price? No I didn’t- you shouldn’t ask.
Definitely not for artists.
Better stick with Canikon, where nothing (much) changes for many years at a time.
You forget the built-in electronic ND filters, silly boy! (actually, the ND’s are all that’s missing:)
Don’t leave 7II out
Well there were literally only a handful released in the last year, one each for Canon and Nikon, 3 for Sony.
We can argue a lot about whether 7dr2 revolutionary or not. But I guess we have to acknowledge that SONY’s recent attempts are indeed very praiseworthy. Well done SONY, remarkable times for all photographers (comes from a Canon user).
dpreview desperate to sell more sonies
Yes, because they earn money from selling Sony cameras (no) in contrast to selling Canon or Nikon cameras (….).
Pretty loud brand of subscribed rich beta testers
Weird… A camera wich apparently burns when recording video for more than 20 minutes.. with no real Raw pictures.. with long exposure photography problems.. Well, Sony at least is trying to bring out some innovations and this is great! But product of the year?? …
And I’m not happy at all. E-mount to small for my hands and have too small battery. So there is still nothing to change my A99. What I need – A99 body and A7s electronic update with uncompressed RAW.
What I fear that Sony with E-mount succes story will forgot their A-mount system.
I hear you also. My biggest A7 series gripe was not being able to use external AF assist for flash. The AF in general was shocking. However the 55mm lens and the dynamic range made me stick with it. I had hoped for the A7S II to have a new sensor with all the new AF whizz bang, but now im going to wait at least till next year before updating my A7S
A7S wasn’t going to get PDAF as it is designed to use every pixel for its video, which wouldn’t work so well with masked PDAF points.
While I agree that sony should make a pro large A9 (or whatever) but for me my a7s is nearly borderline too large already (and I have very large hands).
When SLTs came out people said the same thing, too small wth too small battery. They later released the A77 and A99 which you claim to be better / what you need. It has nothing to do with E-Mount. If E-Mount is going to be the only mount going forward then there will certainly be other body shapes. SLT was able to make bodies smaller, so they took advantage of that as they sold them side by side with DSLRs. When they moved to SLTs solely we got bigger bodies (sadly at the expense of smaller frame bodies, they could have made a a55 / a7 sized FF SLT ages ago).
It will be VERY interesting to see what will come out of the 2016 DPR Awards.
In the meantime, congrats Samsung and Sony. Mirrorless has finally come to age.
That’s too negative a word for me. I use Sony, too, by the way. But this is the typical reaction if one doesn’t chime in the choir. You are free to disagree, but please elaborate instead of using words like “obnoxious”.
‘abandonment of loyalist AMounters.’ Any smart business would drop projects that’s not making them money. How long do you think Sony should keep losing money because Amounters don’t spend enough money. Lose Money for 1 year? 5 years? 15 years?
RAW update, update for long exposure already out and burning up in video is a gross exaggeration.
I think Jordan from The Camera Store did a test and had no problems with over heating. I guess this is the internet, you will always get that want to complain without testing or comparisons.
Canon watch and Fuji rumours are both massive fanboys and at the same time worried about losing their customer base. Their need to spend a lot of time dissing the A7R II is just sad.
Sony are being incredibly disruptive, every single thread I read on other sites not even relating to Sony, Sony get brought up every time without fail. Usually in an effort to make themselves feel better. Seriously.
Umm, you never mention that it shoots 4k, internally. All your other problems are not extreme, and let’s face it, there’s no innovation of note in the competitors.
I getting very tired of all rude answers and stupid troll comments here on SAR.
Is there any kind of “ignore list” using Disqus?
I have A99. And I want A999 – with A7sII electronic inside body of A99 for A-mount lens . And I didn’t understand at all why so difficult put two this things together – it will be not new camera, but just A7s in new body? But ….. @It’s a Sony @