Sony has today introduced the latest addition to their a7 lineup of mirrorless cameras, the a7S II.
The camera is offering ultra-high sensitivity and wide dynamic range across the entire ISO range plus 5-axis image stabilization for greater shooting control. It also incorporates a host of professional movie functions including the ability to record full-frame 4K video internally with full pixel readout and no pixel binning.
The a7S II delivers a sensitivity range of ISO 50-409600 thanks to the combination of its 35mm full-frame 12.2 megapixel image sensor and BIONZ X image processing engine.
The impressive video credentials of Sony's new a7S II camera include the ability to record movies in 4K quality internally through use of the XAVC S codec, which can record at a high bit rate of up to 100 Mbps. Because information from all pixels is utilized without line skipping or pixel binning, the camera can maximize the expanded power of the full-frame image sensor and produce 4K movies with higher image clarity.
This full pixel readout without pixel binning is also employed when shooting Full HD video (24p/30p), where the camera collects information from approximately five times as many pixels that are required to generate Full HD 1920x1080 and oversamples the information.
Also, in a first for the a7 series, the a7S II can record Full HD at 120fps at 100Mbps in full frame format, which can be immediately reviewed on the camera screen and eventually edited into 4x/5x slow motion footage in Full HD (24p/30p) resolution.
The XGA OLED Tru-Finder in the a7S II has been upgraded and offers a viewfinder magnification of 0.78x (roughly 38.5 degrees in diagonal field of view) and shows clear images across the entire display area. T
Users can now charge the camera via a USB power supply while the camera is in operation, thus extending battery life. The a7S II is also 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 fun creative capabilities to the camera.
The Sony a7S II full-frame interchangeable lens camera will be available in October for about $3000 at a variety of Sony authorized dealers.
The a7S II is compatible with Sony's lineup of a lenses, which now totals 64 different models including 13 native 'FE' full frame lenses. By early 2016, Sony will add an additional 7 new lenses to its FE full frame lineup.