Dpreview (Click here) just claimed the A7rII as best camera of the year in the over $2,000+ category!
The Sony a7R II wins this group for many reasons: it is arguably the most innovative, most improved, and houses the most features of any camera in this category. 399 PDAF points offer the largest frame coverage and truly challenge full-frame DSLR AF. We were in disbelief at the incredibly high AF hit rates we observed across multiple shoots, so we baselined the system against DSLRs in a slew of continuous AF tests to find that, sure enough, the a7R II challenges some of the best DSLRs, even in low light. Continuous Eye AF is a boon for candids of even moving subjects, and better-than-DSLR AF accuracy ensures critical focus for shallow depth-of-field applications. Many of these AF benefits disruptively carry over to 3rd party lenses when using electronic adapters, an industry first.
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.
Dpreview also posted that Video Field Test with Theron Humphrey and the Sony A7R II:
150 Responses
Sony have taken out the top spot in just about every category they compete in.
And still we’re never happy and ask for more.
Yep, we still apparently need to spend all of our time telling the world what is wrong.
I found my camera with the A7RII. I’m happy with it and will be, until there is a substantial(!) improvement in dynamic range and ISO. I think this will take some years.
Yep, exactly the same here. I just love that camera! But then sometimes I think… It’s Sony… In two years they might introduce an absolutely groundbreaking new sensor…
Maybe it will come in a few weeks. 🙂
I can shoot an evening event with f3.2, 1/125s and iso12800. No flash needed and still great pictures for the web. In two or three years it would not be darker at such events. 🙂
Sony community is tradtionally one of perfectionist and not the “good enough”-fraction 😉
True, those people shoot Canon.
I’m not proud of it, but I have to confess, lately, whenever DPR post an article about the A7RII, I love to read the commentaries. So much bitterness, so much fear, so much (failed attempts at) desinformation! 🙂
Strongly agree. Hilarious!
This explains why I ran out of chips so fast recently~
Comments today are always the best part of any article.
Who awarded the camera? Ken Rockwell the artist? Muahahaha
Ken Rockwell – Photographer of the century, nuf said
Ken Rockwell is a photographer? OMG! Who knew?
Jesus walks on water, Ken Rockwell is a photographer. This is a miracle.
In Ken’s mind, Ken walks on water
He is going to bring salvation to the camera industry~
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Rockwell
Rockwell
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What year was it when Sony said that they wanted to be #2 on sales after Canon?
What I see is that, despite the accolade of positive critical reception, general market reception needs a lot more time to see Sony as a major player in the photography industry.
Maybe when Sony said they wanted to be #2 after Canon they knew they wouldn’t make it with SLR design, but with new categories. If they haven’t become mirrorless #1 yet, you know they will soon. Panasonic hasn’t moved as fast in video after GH4 as Sony has. Olympus’ outstanding IBIS may be soon matched by Sony’s. After that, who else battles the mirrorless market? Since apparently Fuji will stick to APS-C, the lure of FF to the average consumer will cement more sales of A series bodies. Let’s not forget that the RX1 and RX100 technically invented markets on their own and they are on top of their categories in features for value.
You can clearly see where we at if you look back when the NEX 7 and Zeiss E 1.8 24 were announced.
Since I work with video, I’m also doing stuff with audio and Sony is also pushing hard in that market following the development of new trends like portable DACs, portable amps, DSD DACs and high end DAPs. Even their flagship headphones have been praised.
I thought it was 2013 when they said “in 4 years”…
That would be very unrealistic to say. I thought it was back in the time of the A900 and they said something like “in the next decade”.
They said they wanted to be in the top 3. I think it was around 2009 but I’m not sure.
Top 3 is doable, maybe already achieved, depending on how you count. Top 2… That’s a tough one.
Minolta was #3, and Sony has always been #3.
Sorry Barry, but I think you’re wrong. They certainly weren’t number 3 when they made that statement.
Feel free to provide evidence to the contrary though.
I am speaking what I assume to be common knowledge.
If you have information that differs from my comment please share it with us.
I already have. They said they wanted to be in the top 3. I guess as neither of us can find a link, neither of us can declare ourselves right, like you just tried to imply with the common knowledge remark.
As far as I am aware at one point Nikon was #1, Canon # 2 and Minolta # 3
At some point Canon took the lead over Nikon….so if you do not think Sony is/was #3 who do you believe is /was #3….????
I don’t know who was number 3 at the time the Sony exec said they wanted to be in the top 3, but I know it wasn’t Sony.
I know of no one else that could have been. #3, and as far as I am aware Sony has always been #3
I am willing to hear whatever you have to say to the contrary, but you do not even have a guess at who else could have been #3.
I also remenber in some interviews Sony stated thier intention to become #2, not #3
Perhaps someone will read this and provide us with clarification, but until I hear something to change my mind I will continue to believe that Sony is and has been #3 ever since they bought Minolta.
Was Pentax ever #3 in DSLR? I’m wondering if it was DLSR category only where Sony may have been #4 only momentarily?
I am not aware of Sony ever being in any position other than #3
If anyone has any information to the contrary please tell us.
I try not to guess. Not something you struggle with 😉
Yesterdays SAR post has ilc sales figures for 2014…clearly showing Sony in # 3 position….in fact showing Sony ahead of all others combined.
So thereis the proof you ask for.
I have followed Sony camera developments since befor there were Sony cameras.
Sony was always # 3 if not I would have heard.
I have patiently asked you where you came up withthe incorrect assumption that Sony was not …but you have not offered any explaination.
The interviews …and there are many of them…that Sony execs have been giving do not talk about Sony rising tk #3, they talk about Sony rising FROM # 3 to # 2 ..ahead of Nikon.
You are mistaken about Sony not being # 3….
I have given you every opportunity to explain why you dissagree with me but you have not done so.
As far as I know I am correct and you are incorrect…if you still dissagree than please give some reason for your dissagreement.
Sony will NEVER gain major share over Canon untill they add a pro level body option to thier cameras.
Canon is currently actively trying to acquire existing imaging companies to increase its market share.
Recently Sigma turned down the final Canon offer that was rumored to be 10x thier value.
I have suggested that Sony should purchase Nikon…I have to wonder what would happen if Canon purchased them first.
Sony will probably get Olympus / Pentax until they have sorted out the 2.8 zooms, 85 1.4 and pro body.
For camera body, handling and UI, Sony would have been better off buying Pentax. The combination of Sony making the sensor/stabilisation and Pentax making the rest would have worked superbly.
Eh, my friend with a D800E returned his A7rII because he didn’t Luke the IQ or EVF in low light. Lens selection was also a big issue, with lack of selection and lens size as the main issues.
Me? I’m waiting for the A6100! :3
I am pretty sure that there is not much of an difference in IQ between those at all. Just having more MPix for cropping is nice to have. Lens selection is an issue of the D800E since the A7RII can take each and every single lens on the market – sure, with an adapter. But after having quite fast Nikon and Canon as well as A-mount adapters available, lenses are a non-issue any more. NATIVE lenses maybe, but who needs that really if you know what you are doing???
Just my opinion, agree or disagree….
You have to remember that a lot of lenses designed for Canon, Nikon and Sony for that matter, were not designed for high megapixel cameras and as such, will not perform very well. In reality, a lot of Canon & Nikon lenses available will be somewhat underwhelming in terms of IQ on these high mp cameras but would perform very nicely on 24mp ones.
The only issue I have with EVF in low light is that you cannot use the LENR time, during which the second exposure with closed shutter is taken, to recompose the shot. This is semi annoying because it reduces the number of long exposure shots you can take in the blue hour, unless you turn LENR off.
I thought the subsequent images were needed for image-stacked noise reduction, so why would you want to recompose at that time when it will completely destroy what you’re trying to do?
I was referring to the black frame substitution, not the image stacking.
So your friend had all these complaints, and you make all these complaints without ever having used the camera.
If someone complains about the IQ of the new 42MP Sony sensors they’re actually telling you more about theirs.
Its a Great Camera but Its Not a pro Body for me. Usb 2.0 Shooting thethered is that Slow. A 3500€ Body with usb 2.0 and Not 3.0 is Not Recent State of the Art with the Huhe 42 Megapixel Raws Shooting in a pro thethered Studio .. …. 2Sd Card Slots , x Sync contact ( sometimes Even Triggers stop working) Are also missing and 6 A7 Differenz bodies but Not a 85 mm lense from sony and where Are the 2.8 Zooms. Hope that they Are Coming! Hopefully the A9 or whatever the Name has all that Features.
There’s a 85mm 1.8 Batis Lens. If you can find it on any store 😛
It’s a zeiss and has nothing to do with sony company. Great Glas but not from the same company . sony is not earning a penny from the Batis lenses.
Have you been hiding under a rock for the last 3 years? Sony and Zeiss are working closely together on A7 lenses, many of the lenses are Zeiss designed, and Sony built, they both profit from that marriage quite a bit.
perhaps:-)) but to explain it seriously , there are Sony original build lenses like the G series , sony build them by themselves, then there are the Zeiss rebranded Sony lenses for your understanding to help you to get some knowledge about lens manufacturing, The Sony Zeiss branded lenses like a 24-70 ZA, or the FE 24-70 4.0 are made by Cosina and Sony and only use the benchmarks from Zeiss but are not manufactured by zeiss, then there are the real great by the way Zeiss Batis lenses, not Sony lenses., which zeiss build by themselves without any engineering from sony, Why it bothers me , its a price calculation orginial sony branded lenses are cheaper and the money goes to Sony and their development. But thats a personal taste. I’m fine with sony lenses branded with Zeiss logo on it, and Sony original lenses. thats it.:-))
And why does that bother you? Seriously?!?
I covet this camera, but I think I will hold on to my a6000 a bit longer mostly for financial reasons as well as that I have grown fond of the smaller crop sensor glass.
It almost seems like a waste of of time to say this, because Sony has literally been told this millions of times by every reviewer and every photographer that has ever picked up a Sony camera.
Sony insists on putting the smallest crappiest batteries in thier cameras.
The A7Rii is indeed the best camera of the year …trapped inside a crappy amateur body.
For Some mysterious reason Sony refuses to offer any of thier cameras with a pro level body.
Every review of every Sony camera makes the same complaints but Sony will not listen.
I find it ironic that Sony takes such pride in listening to customers in matters such as firmware and features, but blatently ignores all requests for a pro level body.
Once again I do not suggest eliminating the compact consummer level bodies that current E mount cameras have, but offering a second pro level body style.
Differrent models can be available in pro or compact versions.
A pro body will eventually come after current products becomes popular and profitable enough. Sony currently is still in situation similar to a start-up company that it has financial problems to consider.
Maybe because a) lots of professional photographers don’t need huge camera bodies and/or b) the A7 is not aimed specifically at pros alone.
+1 If it was any larger I wouldn’t have bought for my work. I need cameras that are small when I need them to be and larger when I’m in the studio (using the battery grip).
I sold my Canon 5dmkii 3+ years ago due to the weight of it when paired with high quality lenses, 16-35, 100-400 etc. I can now carry 1x Fuji X-T1 with a 50-140 & a Sony A7rii 16-35 on my backpack straps via capture clips for less weight and avoiding lens changes in challenging conditions. And, as an added bonus, I have 4k video so no separate Sony FDR Ax100 to carry!
For some reason, people assume all pros want bigger cameras?!? Like all photographers shoot the same stuff etc. They don’t, so why should we only have the option of larger cameras!?!? There are already large cameras out there so if that’s what you need, your sorted. Don’t demand they make the few smaller ones there are bigger!
Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s usually non-professional photographers who assume that professionals need bigger bodies, which I find pretty ironic. I can’t name one single colleague of mine who would trade a small body for a bigger one. The success of camera bodies like the 5D, D700, and now the A7R (and let’s not even mention Leica) among professionals is mostly due to the reduced size and weight, compared to the “bricks” or top bodies. If you have the option of choosing between a big body and a small one, with similar or almost identical features and comfortable ergonomics, it’s truly a no brainer for someone who goes around with a camera on their shoulder every day.
I assume You are using Peak Design clips? Which plate do You use for A7rII without grip? The new Pro Plate or old Micro Plate? If it’s the new Pro Plate, how is the size on A7rII? Thanks!
I use the pro line, arca plate. It switches easily between tripods, mono pod or video tripod head without removing any of the clips.
Yes, but specifically which plate is it? The older ARCAplate or new PROplate? And how does it fit? Is it too wide or does it fit well?
As I mentioned, it’s the pro line that I buy. Never bought the cheaper version. I have both a mark one and mark two and the square plate is the same on both. Arca attachments for tripods etc unscrew, you slide the plate in and tighten it up. I’ve bought a few different arca conversion plates and they all follow a similar design. You can also buy a half size arca plate from Capture Clip designed for mirrorless / smaller cameras that is rectangular rather than square but it still fits into arca attachments.
Again, which EXACTLY plate model are you using? https://support.peakdesign.com/hc/en-us/articles/201291383-Whats-the-difference-between-each-of-Peak-Design-s-plates-
There is no mark two square plate in PRO line.
Is it the newer PROplate, or older ARCAplate, or both? And which of them fit the A7rII best?
As I said, the Arca plate. There have been two versions over the last 3 years. The Pro-Plate is the third version and isn’t called “Arca Plate”. If you look on the link you provided, they all fit ARCA attachments but the ProPlate also fits Manfrotto. All plates fit the Capture Pro Camera Clip so it makes little difference. It all comes down to what you use as a tripod etc.
I know what tripod clamps each of them fit. My question was specific about which model you use and how it fits the CAMERA, A7rII.
“I use the pro line, arca plate. ”
As I mentioned at the very beginning, The ARCA plate. There are four plates, Micro Plate, ARCA Plate, Dual Plate and now PRO Plate. They all fit to the camera the same way (tripod screw on the bottom). The ARCA one fits just fine and I can’t imagine any of the others would be any different. The Micro Plate works better on the Fuji X-T1 as the ARCA one overhangs the edge slightly. This interferes with the opening of the screen. This doesn’t happen on the A7rii.
This is what I wanted to know. Does the ARCA plate leave any overhang in the front of the A7rII (mount side) which would prevent use of LA-EA3?
Actually, can you just take a picture of the bottom of A7rII with the plate mounted and put it up somewhere? I am currently using BlackRapid Sport and Double straps when working, but Peak Design clip on backpack strap seems like amazing idea for hiking.
Not near it at the moment to grab a picture. Yes, they are ideal for hiking.
The standard ARCA Plate, i.e. the square one, overhangs the front edge by 8-10mm. If that’s too much, you would be advised to go for the MicroPlate or the Pro Plate that have the rectangle profile.
Every single comment I have made about a pro body suggests 2 body lines..the current compact line, AND a larger pro body line.
Yet comments like these continue to ignore what I have actually said and assumeca pro body somehoe means the abolition of the compact body.
No one is suggesting elimination of a compact consumer model, but Sony needs both.
You yourself have just said you want a larger body when you are in the studio.
” Why should we only have the option of larger cameras?”
Where do you see anyone suggesting that that should be the only option…..????
Leica heard the same with the introduction of their miniature rangefinders, now the current profession users are complaining that they’re too big. No winning here.
“2 body lines..the current compact line, AND a larger pro body line.”
Could also state that, why do you always make out that the compact body line is not Pro?!? If this is not what you intend to say you need to make it clearer to avoid people making these assumptions. As a pro photographer I want a Pro compact camera that doesn’t break my back carrying all day long! I want all the specs of a pro camera in the smaller body!
When I refer to a compact and pro body line people understand what I mean.
If you …or Sony…choose to call it something else, because you find some other name politically correct , …that is fine by me, I do not care what they call it….for example..compacr, and Studio.
I will continue to refer to it as pro body but you can certainly continue to use your compact body for whatever you currently use it for.
I fully recognize the value of a compact body, and the need for a pro body does not lessen that value.
“When I refer to a compact and pro body line people understand what I mean.”
That’s a big assumption you make. I and others have no idea what you are thinking and given not everyones first language here is English it is open to misunderstanding. The way you describe Compact & Pro would suggest you feel that it can’t be both. If that’s what you are suggesting then we certainly see things different. That’s not a problem but don’t be surprised when I, like others, question your wording / views.
I do not know how my words may translate to other launguages.
But no negative meaning is intended.
I shoot aprox 400 pictures before having to switch batteries. I don´t know what kind of photographer are you but I find it more than enough.
Agreed. I think there’s a little “post-chimping” going on, even though they have the option to “pre-chimp” with the EVF. In effect they’re “double-chimping” and therefore effectively halving batter life. User error……
People cry about batteries… I’ve done numerous outings getting 600-800 on on a single battery. Sometimes that’s driving AF-C on 70-200 F4 which has rather heavy elements to move. That’s with IBIS, screen on high, etc. the full monty, if you will. I do have 9 batteries between my two A7Rii bodies and also A7Sii, but I never bring more than 1 extra battery with me anymore. Having to deal with 16GB of data after just 400 shots is making me spray and prey less and less, not that’s my shooting style anyway. But this is a much less of an issue than people make it out be. Same as the overheating. Same as the retarted uncompressed RAW nonsense (which, by the way, now that we have it, how many people are going – OMG, IT’S SOOOO AWESOME, IT FINALLY MAKES THIS A TRUE PRO CAMERA!)
Professional Chimper.
That’s gonna be the A8 & A9 you know…
Off course it is the best camera, just because it shoots -5 near black exposures if you dare to shoot sequences, hunts like mad with long lenses, has more noise then advertised and 4K video hcan have pretty awful 8bit banding.
Why so many sour comments from people? Did you have lemons and barbed wire for breakfast! 🙂
A7RmkII is an excellent camera! Not perfect, no camera will ever be perfect. I switched from Nikon D800 system two years ago. (It drowned). With Sony I got a lighter system, provioded I go for the smaller lenses. With the mkII I got excellent, better than D800 IQ and vibration free shutter. (Everybody complained about A7R1 shutter vibration, but D800 shutter plus mirror vibration was much worse!).
The mkII has very few weak points and about the battery: Just buy a couple of extra batteries!
For the hard core photo journalist it is not the perfect camera though and there is clearly room for a camera for them above the mkII.
As long as Sony continues to only offer a mediocre amatuar body and stick the best camera on the market inside there will be mixed reviews.
It’s like putting the finest luxury car engine in a tiny economy car body
Following your analogy – is sticking a moped engine in the finest luxury car body better? 😉
You must be refferring to Sony batteries.
Who said anything about batteries?
Stick the best camera in…huh?
Yes, its a little like one of those Japanese “rice-rockets” most serious drivers won’t be seen dead in one, its same problem Sony have selling to “serious photographers.”
When life gives you lemon, be a canikon fanboy and spray your lemon juice on all Sony related post.
“For the hard core photo journalist it is not the perfect camera though and there is clearly room for a camera for them above the mkII”
I know a few “hard core photojournalists” and they’re perfectly happy with the size/weight/handling of the A7 series, though they all complain about the menus (#1 complaint) and they wish it was better weather-sealed. Another very popular complain, i.e. short battery life, is usually solved by buying 3 or 4 extra batteries, as you rightly said. Most of those who are used to a bigger body and don’t want to change, just stick to their Canon & Nikon Dslrs.
As a professional photographer (non-journalist) and using the a7R II almost everyday, I love the portability and ease of travel of the camera and of course the image quality that can be achieved in such a small package, but my top 3 issues are:
1. Battery capacity
2. Lack of direct AF point selection (you have to push a button first before you can move the AF point)
3. The menu system is complete nonsense. As an example, just take a
look at Autofocus related items – they should all be together on one or two pages of the menu tree but on the a7R II they are spread across 9 different menu pages across 4 major menu groups, in many cases noncontiguous pages.
sounds exactly like the complaints I’ve heard the most.
Solution to #2 is a new camera body, we’ll see if Sony has had many complaints about that and if it will act accordingly with the new A*.
It’d be interesting to know if the menu mess is something they can solve via a massive firmware update or if that too needs a different hardware design.
As for #1, I have an honest question for you: would you trade the current size of the A7 in order to gain, say, 200 more shots per battery, or is the frustration of carrying 4 or 6 extra batteries something you could get used to?
It’s a good question! I don’t think you actually need to make the camera bigger to get more battery capacity but they would have to move some things that are in the grip now elsewhere into the body to allow a bigger battery into the shell of the existing grip and use a less conservative approach to battery capacity. Japan has some very strict battery regulations that limit the energy output per unit volume of batteries. There are LiION batteries that pack much more energy in the same volume so better LiION battery technology would help too. And, Sony has used this same battery for many years now and battery technology has improved substantially. They could probably make a battery in the same housing as the existing battery that packs 50% more energy.
Even the changing batteries thing would be less of a big deal if it didn’t take the camera forever to come back to life after a battery change.
Couldn’t you get a battery grip? Yes it would make the whole thing bigger and heavier – but that is always the tradeoff between battery capacity vs. size. The advance of technology will eventually deliver small cameras with high capacity batteries.
Sure but like you eluded to, it defeats the purpose of small and light 😉 It also means a new and larger and heavier L-bracket.
A grip? What good would that do for his trolling efforts? Hell no, and spread out those AF menu settings a little more. Old people need the mental excersize.
Thank you for your well thought out contribution to this thread, Well thought out for somebody that is sniffing PVC glue that is. The only trolling in this part of the thread is yours. The rest of us are having a reasonable discussion.
Haha lol mega fail on PVC’s side.
For that, there’s dslr. So no, wouldn’t want body to change if it means getting bigger ?
Sony should make a grip, one that takes a proper (D4 series) sized battery. Problem solved!!!!
Won’t really solve the issue, because it’s not the battery capacity, but the power consumption. The Nikon EN-EL18 is 22Wh (EN-EL18a is 27Wh) while the NP-FW50 is 7.4Wh, so 3x smaller capacity, but since it’s less than 1/3 of weight and size, it’s not a bad battery, it packs about as much punch per gram/cubic millimeter as it’s peers.
The real issue is power consumption. The EN-EL18 is rated for 2600 shots (CIPA standard), while the NP-FW50 is only marked for 300 shots in A7x cameras. In reality it highly depends on how the camera is used, but you can easily shoot 14 hour wedding on 1 D4s battery (and have plenty juice left), while you will need 5-6 batteries for A7rII.
I am not overly concerned about battery life, though. Changing them is easy and carrying 8 to a shoot is not really an issue. For longer trips without access to power (ability to charge from USB is very handy btw), you can just grab a power bank for your camera, gps and phone.
The A7x is a VIDEO CAMERA, it requires a VIDEO CAPACITY BATTERY period.
Frame the debate however you wish, those are the facts, they’re governed by physics routed in todays technology.
All of those could be fixed with a FW update.
If only Sony would listen to its clients.
What bothers me most on A7RII is exactly the same thing, how to select the focus point fast.
They should even make the focus point move faster while user is holding the button pressed. It moves too slow right now 🙂
The only reason I go to menus is to switch between aps-c crop and normal mode.
Everything else I covered with memories and FN button and customized rest of the buttons.
The only thing bothering me are slow focus point selection and being unable to have a button for aps-c crop mode.
You still have to go menu diving just to format a card though. You can only assign shooting functions, not other stuff. And the battery capacity thing can’t be fixed with firmware, but yes, many of the complaints could likely be addressed with a firmware upgrade or providing a My Menu where I can place things I use a lot that can’t be assigned to a button or the fn menu like Format and Time/Date.
I never format card. It is being erased by C1Pro after the import.
Battery lasts 400 shots if not more, that is enough for me. There is always a spare battery somewhere in the bag so… It’s a non issue for me.
Agreed, and with the new 4K choices, there should be a way to configure a button to switch between the two.
Just an idea, not sure if it would work for you but can you:
– Switch on Tracking (is it AF-C?)
– Leave AF point in middle
– Turn your camera on the subject
– Lock on subject
– Reframe (the focus should remain on your subject even if it moves)
You cannot, there is no camera in this world (yet) that can follow to original subject when reframing. The technology is not there, yet.
I’m not sure I follow… If you lock on a subject then turn the camera to reframe (while the subject is focussed and locked on) why wouldn’t it be still in focus when you reframed. In fact in one of the DPReview articles aboutthe A7RII this is exactly what they were suggesting to do because how well it worked…
It doesn’t work that well, not even close.
You put focus on one person, move camera to reframe and camera lost your focus point and started focusing on another person.
Same goes for most of other subjects.
It simply does not work well enough.
I use AF-S, flexible point, medium with DMF. That way i am always sure focus is spot on.
Too bad I have to do so many clicks to move the damn focus point.
I don’t have the A7RII so I cannot experiment with it so I have to take your word for it.
Have you tried AF-C?
Of course I did 🙂
That’s how DP was using it, with AF-C.
Because camera decided to refocus something else. Why? Because it lost focus on the object you originally selected.
That’s what AF-C is all about.
What camera do you have?
I have the NEX-7. That does not track or lock on 🙂
But my friend’s A6000 seemed to…
Omg – It’s the end of the world… What a travesty.
Professional photojournalists are switching to these faster than you can accurately AF your Canikons. http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-tidbits-271/
Sorry, but a video with 5 good-to-great Sony-sponsored photographers is hardly proof of professional photojournalists switching to Sony. I have seen a few colleagues using Sony, Fuji and Olympus cameras in the field, but the very vast majority are still using Canon and Nikon.
That’s because their cameras haven’t stopped working 🙂
It takes time for pros to change gear, slow but sure transition.
Why are they lying about the AF-C on A7RII? It’s focus system is nowhere near DSLR level even in good light:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxxKAJtBnhA&feature=youtu.be&t=7m29s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yottoM_P1o&feature=youtu.be&t=15m17s
Let alone low light, where OSPDAF tiny sensors don’t get enough light.
They are basing their conclusions on the numerous tests they have done.
By the way, A7rII is not actually that bad in low light once you change the way you use it. The performance is often compared in the Flexible Spot:Small mode, which is similar to how many are using their DSLRs. In this mode A7rII struggles, as the spot is relatively small and it is hard to keep it steady on the subject (by the way, OSS on FE 70-200/4 helps this A LOT). It gets much better if you give it a bit larger area to work with.
No, A7RII has better AF in lowlight than a DSLR if both of them are using F1.4 lens.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6884391759/sony-alpha-7r-ii-can-match-or-beat-dslr-low-light-af-performance
This is because DSLR AF system cannot take full advantage of F1.4 lens wide open due to technical reasons with the separate PDAF AF system on a DSLR
In the video duott posted, the guy is using F4 lens. Yes a DSLR will AF much better in lowlight when both have F4 or F5.6 lens, but A7RII AF wins in low light when both are using F1.4 lens.
Exactly and why wouldn’t you use a fast prime in low light which is what it’s made for!
That’s called marketing 🙂 yep, the AF is definitely not a strongest side of the camera, at least I wouldn’t emphasize on it.
But this is not Sony outlet, this is a review site that is supposed to be objective. Is DPReview part of Sony marketing now?
DPR promote what sells well. It used to be Canon before so current review is a good sign, actually.
LOL who knows…
Our D810 will not overheat when shooting 4K video, you have our unconditional guarantee!
4k on d810 does not exist
Exactly, you nailed it. Maybe the complainers will read your comment and reflect for just a moment!
Lol have you ever heard of a thing called “sarcasm”? 🙂
ive seen countless reviews showing how great the AF is compared to dslr’s, and i havent had problems with it either, soo…
Don’t trust the reviews, you never know who paid for them – take a 5dm3 and compare yourself. The a7r2 is significantly faster the original a7r, but it’s still quite far from the upper end DSLRs. My conclusion is based on the a7r2 + 55 f/1.8 and the 5dsr (which is relatively slow compared to the 5dm3) + 50 f/1.8 STF.
How about the accuracy though? Good keeper rate?
For the still subjects I didn’t notice any difference in the keeper rate, I would say it’s close to 100% on both cams. The moving subjects (my 1.5 y.o. baby on the move) – for the slight moves (like she’s sitting and doing something – she never still) the A7r2 is not bad, even the Eye-AF works quite well in the AF-C mode, but if she’s walking or running (worse) towards me I’m getting about 20% frames in focus shooting at 5fps / area mode (top 1/3rd of the screen AF – her face). The AI Servo gives me about 70-80%. Both lenses wide open. The accuracy – I expect to get at least one eye in the sharp focus looking at 100% magnification, and if a photo doesn’t meet this criterion I won’t consider it as a keeper 🙂
The A7r2 is a decent camera with some nice features like the IBIS, great sensor and 4k video, but the AF is just “meh”. My other thought – the 55 f/1.8 is probably not a king of the speed, and if I try a different native lens the situation can be improved. If Sony had something to offer like a 70-200 f/2.8 or a 135 f/2 I would definitely bought one and tried again, but the lack of native lenses is a separate problem 🙂
I’m coming from D3, Df, D800. I’ve used D750, 5D Mark 3, D4s, 1Dx…and yes my A7r mark 2 is a little ( very little ) slower, but way more accurate, constant. it’s beyond DSLR level, for me.
What do you mean by ‘more accurate’? Do you get more keepers with AF-C? Does AF-C work well for you in low light? Are you using adapted (A / EF) lenses with AF-C, and if so, how does it compare with DSLRs that you’ve used?
No front-back focusing issues
Yeah, no more micro adjusting each flipping lens. I have far fewer miss focusing issues with today’s mirrorless systems compared to the 5dmkii I used to have. Being able to shoot 10000000 photos a second while tracking is no good if the majority are out of focus. Don’t get me wrong, mirrorless is mot perfect by any stretch but it’s better than a lot of DSLRs today and most of the DSLRs of just a couple of years back.
I’ve never had any front-back focusing issues with A-Mount… but OK.
In the the video you posted he is using a slow F4 lens. If you read DPR article, you will see they mention AF on A7RII in low light is better than DSLR with fast F2 and even faster F1.4 lenses. That’s because AF system on A7RII can take full advantage of F1.4 lens wide open in low light light. (a DSLR cannot). DSLR is better in lowlight with F4 and slower (F5.6) lenses.
“Let alone low light, where OSPDAF tiny sensors don’t get enough light.”
Well they do with a fast prime wide open. Which is exactly what they stated…
So, A7R2 rated as best of the year 2015 and still we have some of you, complaining about this cam. Funny. Folks, there is no perfect cam in this universe and never will be. Take it to your bank.
I have to disappoint some of you. I like this cam so much I am buying just in next 30 min second one as my backup instead of A7R.
^^^
There is a perfect cam. It’s called the A77II.
Fail…
Not yet. Camera is still ticking away. Thanks for asking.
Look at what this guy has to say about A7RII..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2SwyKITEVg
Probably, this guy “OLEG” should watch this video. Right? Right! LOL …
Yes, SONY A7rII is probably the best overall camera in this moment. That is why my second body of A7rII is now in the mail.
^^^
Another piece of misinformation. EF lenses don’t work on A7RII as either native Sony lenses, or as they’d work on native Canon body.
He also doesn’t mention that you can actually get a good native body for the price of the Metabones adapter.