Sony has announced the a7R II, a 42.4MP mirrorless camera with an image stabilized full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. Unlike its predecessor, the camera includes on-sensor phase detection elements for faster autofocus, which continues to work with other brands' lenses. The camera also has a revised shutter mechanism, rated to 500,000 actuations but also promising less vibration than the one on its predecessor. The sensor is by far the largest backside illuminated CMOS chip to be released, allowing the maximum expanded ISO to rise two stops to 102,400. The camera will cost around $3,200.
The a7R II also gains 5-axis image stabilization that is rated at 4.5 stops, according to CIPA standard.
The camera can capture 4k (UHD) video at 30p/25p or 24p in the XAVC S 4K format. The 4K video can be taken either from the full sensor width or from a Super35 crop. Even this smaller crop over-samples by 1.8x crop.
AF with third-party lensesSony says the on-sensor phase-detection AF can be used with A-mount and some third-party lenses. At the press launch in New York, Sony has been demonstrating the camera autofocusing Canon EF lenses using a Metabones adapter. A-mount lenses can now be phase-detection driven while using the simpler LA-E3 adapter, rather than the LA-E4 that had an SLT mechanism built in.
On-sensor phase detection elements cover 45% of the sensor, which may sound small but actually translates to around 67% coverage in each direction. While this is some way behind level of coverage offered on Samsung's NX1 (or even Sony's APS-C cameras), it's still a considerably larger area than that covered by any full frame DSLR's focus sensor.
It also gains an electronic first curtain shutter option to eliminate shutter vibration, which was a problem with the original a7R at longer focal lengths. It also offers a fully electronic silent shutter.
Press Release
Sony's Flagship Mirrorless Camera Features 42.4 MP Back-illuminated CMOS sensor, In-camera 5-axis Image Stabilization, Internal 4K Video Recording, Silent Shooting, Fast Hybrid AF and more
NEW YORK, Jun. 10, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world's largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced their new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the α7R II (model ILCE-7RM2).
The new α7R II interchangeable lens camera features the world's first back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor1, which realizes high resolution (42.4 MP approx. effective megapixels), high sensitivity (expandable up to ISO 102400)2 and high speed AF response up to 40% faster than the original α7R thanks to 399 focal plane phase detection AF points.
The camera also includes a 5-axis image stabilization system borrowed from the acclaimed α7 II model and can shoot and record 4K video in multiple formats including Super 35mm (without pixel binning) and full-frame format, a world's first for digital cameras1. Additionally, it has a newly refined XGA OLED Tru-Finder with the world's highest (0.78x) viewfinder magnification3.
"Sony continues to deliver game-changing imaging products that are changing the way imaging enthusiasts, hobbyists and professionals can see and capture the world," said Mike Fasulo, President of Sony Electronics.
Kimio Maki, Senior General Manager of Digital imaging Business Group for Sony Corporation, added "By harmonizing high resolution, sensitivity and speed, we're delivering a high-level full-frame imaging experience unlike anything else in market today, with Sony's newly developed, world's first back-illuminated 35mm full frame CMOS sensor."
High Resolution, High Sensitivity and High-Speed Response
The newly developed 42.4 MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor is the most advanced, versatile and highest resolution full-frame image sensor that Sony has ever created, allowing the α7R II to reach new levels of quality, sensitivity and response speed. In the past, many photographers have been forced to choose between high-resolution and high-speed or high resolution and high sensitivity when selecting a camera. The new α7R II eliminates that sacrifice thanks to its innovative image sensor.
The 42.4 MP sensor combines gapless on-chip lens design and AR (anti-reflective) coating on the surface of the sensor's glass seal to dramatically improve light collection efficiency, resulting in high sensitivity with low-noise performance and wide dynamic range. This allows the camera to shoot at an impressive ISO range of 100 to 25600 that is expandable to ISO 50 to 1024002.
Additionally, the sensor's back-illuminated structure, with an expanded circuit scale and copper wiring design, enables faster transmission speed and ensures content can be captured in high resolution without sacrificing sensitivity. Data can also be output from the sensor at an approximately 3.5x faster rate compared to the original α7R.
An ideal match for Sony's extensive collection of FE lenses (35mm full-frame compatible E-mount lenses), the new α7R II features a high-speed BIONZ X image processing engine that allows images and video from the camera to be captured with supreme details and low noise. There is also no optical low pass filter on the camera, ensuring that scenery and landscapes are captured in the highest possible resolution and clarity.
The α7R II has a new highly durable reduced-vibration shutter that realizes 50% less vibration from shutter movements compared to its predecessor, and has a cycle durability of approximately 500,000 shots4. The camera can also be set to Silent Shooting mode in order to shoot images quietly without any sensor vibration or movement.
The new image sensor features 399 focal-plane phase-detection AF points – the world's widest AF coverage on a full-frame sensor1 – that work together with 25 contrast AF points to achieve focus response that is about 40% faster than the original model. The α7R II utilizes an advanced motion-detection algorithm combined with this Fast Hybrid AF system to achieve up to 5fps continuous shooting with AF tracking.
Additionally, the focal plane phase-detection AF system on the α7R II works well with Sony A-mount lenses when they are mounted on the camera using an LA-EA3 or LA-EA1 mount adapter. This allows users to enjoy the wide AF coverage of 399 focal plane phase-detection AF points, high-speed response and high tracking performance with a wider range of lenses. This marks the first time that the AF system of a mirrorless camera can achieve high performance with lenses originally designed for DSLRs.
5-Axis Image Stabilization Optimized for 42.4 MP
The new flagship α7R II model is equipped with an innovative 5-axis image stabilization system that has been fine-tuned to support its high-resolution shooting capacity. Similar to the system launched on the acclaimed α7 II model, this advanced form of image stabilization corrects camera shake along five axes during shooting, including angular shake (pitch and yaw) that tends to occur with a telephoto lens, shift shake (X and Y axes) which becomes noticeable as magnification increases, and rotational shake (roll) that often affects video recording. This camera shake compensation system is equivalent to shooting at a shutter speed approximately 4.5 steps faster5.
Additionally, the 5-axis stabilization works cooperatively with Sony α lenses with optical SteadyShot™ (OSS) to provide maximum stabilization and clarity, while also performing admirably via a compatible mount adapter with Sony α A-mount lenses6 without on-board stabilization. Effects of the stabilization can be previewed via live-view on the LCD or OLED viewfinder of the camera.
Unrivaled 4K Movie Shooting Performance
The impressive video credentials of Sony's new α7R II camera include the ability to record movies in 4K quality (QFHD 3840x2160) in either Super 35mm crop mode or full-frame mode.
In Super 35mm mode, the camera collects a wealth of information from approximately 1.8x as many pixels as 4K by using full pixel readout without pixel binning and oversamples the information to produce 4K movies with minimal moire and 'jaggies'.
In full-frame mode, the α7RII utilizes the full width of the 35mm sensor for 4K recording, allowing users to utilize the expanded expressive power of the sensor. It is the world's first digital camera to offer this in-camera full-frame format 4K recording capacity1.
The camera utilizes the advanced XAVC S7 codec during video shooting, which records at a high bit rate of 100 Mbps during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during full HD shooting.
Additionally, the α7RII model features a variety of functions to support a professional video workflow including Picture Profile, S-Log2 Gamma and S-Gamut, 120fps high frame rate movie shooting in HD (720p), time code, clean HDMI output and more.
Enhanced Design, Operability and Reliability
The new full-frame α7RII has an upgraded XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with a double-sided aspherical lens that delivers the world's highest viewfinder magnification3 of 0.78x for crystal clear image preview and playback across the entire display area. ZEISS® T* Coating is also utilized to reduce unwanted reflections that interfere with the shooting experience.
The camera has an extremely solid, professional feel in-hand thanks to its light, rigid magnesium alloy design, and has a re-designed grip and shutter button compared to its predecessor. There is also a new mechanism to conveniently lock the mode dial, and an expanded range of customizable functions and buttons to suit the most demanding photographers.
The new α7R II camera is Wi-Fi® and NFC compatible and fully functional with Sony's PlayMemories Mobile™ application available for Android™ and iOS platforms, as well as Sony's growing range of PlayMemories Camera Apps™, which add a range of creative capabilities to the camera. For example, there is more creativity available now for time-lapse photography thanks to a new "Angle Shift add-on" app allows users to easily add pan, tilt and zoom to time-lapse images without any additional shooting equipment or PC software required. Learn more at www.sony.net/pmca.
Sony has also introduced a new LCD monitor model CLM-FHD5, an ideal companion to the α7R II for video shooting. A compact 5.0 type Full HD (1920x1080p) LCD monitor, the CLM-FHD5 features enlarging and peaking functionality for precise focusing, false color and video level marker for adjusting exposure and S-Log display assist to assist S-Log shooting.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony α7R II full-frame interchangeable lens camera will be available in August for about $3200 at www.store.sony.com and a variety of Sony authorized dealers nationwide.
The α7R II is compatible with Sony's growing lineup of α -mount lenses, which now totals 63 different models including 12 native 'FE' full frame lenses. By early 2016, Sony will add an additional 8 new lenses to its FE full frame lineup, bringing the FE total to 20 lenses and the overall α -mount assortment to 70 different models.
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the flagship α7RII camera and other Sony α products can be found at www.sony.com/alpha, Sony's new community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.
The new content will also be posted directly at Sony global sites https://www.youtube.com/c/ImagingbySony and https://www.sony.net/Product/di_photo_gallery/.
Footnotes:
1. Among 35 mm full-frame interchangeable-lens cameras, according to Sony research as of June 20152. Expanded ISO range available only for shooting still images3. Among digital still cameras. The viewfinder magnification is approx. 0.78x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1). As of June 2015 based on Sony research4. According to Sony internal testing, with the electronic front curtain shutter activated.5. Based on CIPA standards. Compensates for angular shake (pitch and yaw). Measured using a Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA lens, with long exposure noise reduction off.6. Some lenses are not compatible with 5-axis image stabilization.7. An SDXC memory card with a Class 10 or higher speed rating is required for XAVC S recording and UHS Speed Class 3 is required for recording at 100Mbps
Sony a7R II Specifications Price MSRP $3199 (body only) Body type Body type SLR-style mirrorless Body material Magnesium alloy Sensor Max resolution 7974 x 5316 Image ratio w:h 3:2, 16:9 Effective pixels 42 megapixels Sensor size Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) Sensor size notes BSI-CMOS full-frame sensor. No optical low-pass filter Sensor type BSI-CMOS Processor Bionz X Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB Color filter array Primary color filter Image ISO Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 50-102400) White balance presets 10 Custom white balance Yes Image stabilization Sensor-shift Image stabilization notes 5-axis (4.5 stops per CIPA standard) Uncompressed format RAW JPEG quality levels Extra fine, fine, standard File formatSource: Sony a7R II has 42.4MP on 4K-capable full frame BSI CMOS sensor
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