Equipment

Sony a7R II Vs a7S Video Field Comparison

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Published September 8, 2015

The amazing low-light performance and ability to shoot in 4k has made the Sony a7S a definite favorite for our customers and the LensRentals team. We have been very excited over the release of the a7R II with new features such as 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a 42.4MP back-illuminated full-frame sensor, and in camera 4k. A few weeks ago we showed you how the a7RII performs with stills in Sony a7RII: A Brief Review. This time we have taken the camera in the field to do some video comparisons with the Sony a7S.

It is no surprise that Sony a7S still holds the title for best low light performance and it really blows the Sony a7RII out of the water at super high ISO. Still, the increase in megapixels countered with the new back-illuminated sensor on the Sony a7RII makes for a great balance and solid option for low light shooting.

‘While the Sony a7S allowed 4k video capture that was limited to an external recorder, the Sony a7RII can record internal UHD 4k video at 24 / 30fps. You have the choice of capturing using either the full-frame sensor format, or you can use the Super 35 (APS-C) format which uses oversampling with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. The advanced AF system is fully operational in video capture and timecode enables multi-camera syncing. Internal 4k video is recorded in 8-bit 4:2:0, while the clean HDMI outputs 4:2:2 uncompressed. To round out the pro-grade video features is the inclusion of the S-Log2 Gamma Curve.’  LensRentals.com

One frustrating fallback of the Sony A7S is the pronounced rolling shutter. The Sony a7R II improves on this in its full-frame modes, but there is, unfortunately, no noticeable improvement in S35 mode.

The new 5-axis IBIS offers up to 4.5 stops of correction including angular shake (pitch and yaw), shift shake (X and Y axes), and rotational shake (roll).  This is a huge bonus for both video and stills shooters using lenses without stabilization, especially for telephoto lengths.

The IBIS will automatically adjust to the focal length of the Sony lens you are using but will default to 8mm on third party lenses like the Rokinon 135mm allowing you to choose the focal length you are using in the menu to optimize stabilization.

When using a Sony lens with OSS the lens stabilization it will gray out the camera stabilization menu even when the lens OSS is turned off. According to DPReview the stabilizers work in tandem, just not independent of the other.

The Sony a7R II is seriously impressive. I still love the lean and light Sony a7S with an unreal low light capability, but it is clear that the Sony a7R II can go places the Sony a7S cannot. Shooting telephoto handheld and need it in 4k? You know what you’ll go for.

 

Trevor Finney and Sarah McAlexander

LensRentals.com

Author: Sarah McAlexander

I’m Sarah. I have a BFA in Photography from the University of Memphis. I’ve been shooting professionally for over 6 years. When I’m not working here or freelancing, I enjoy yoga and traveling.

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  • Wally

    A7SII has been announced so now you can have your cake and eat it too. Looks like the improvements from the A7II have been included, 5-axis SS, new body style, new eye level finder, looks like the sensor has not changed much, but will have to read in more depth, does now support 4K in body recording.

  • Sam long

    Can lensrentals.com weigh in on the overheating issue with the a7rii on longer 4k video takes?

  • Kevin Ives

    It is coming up to the time when I look at upgrading my 5DII, and things like this just leave me wondering exactly why I’d want to stay with Canon. For what I need out of a camera, things like the Sony A7RII look just plain better.

  • Lee Saxon

    Even though the A7s infamously had much worse rolling shutter than a low-megapixel sensor designed primarily for motion users should’ve, I’m surprised that there’s an improvement with the A7rII which has so many more pixels to readout. Interesting.

  • Tuco

    The Sony A7, A7R, A7S, A7II, A7Rii, A7SII, A7III, A7RIII will be a game changer.

  • Sarah McAlexander

    Dan, I updated the paragraph to note the description given by DPReview. Thanks for the info!

  • Dan V.

    Trevor and Sarah,

    An FYI, The IBIS and OSS on Sony cameras already work together by default. If you are using a lens with OSS (such as the 90mm Macro), the two will always work in unison. The reason why the menu for SteadyShot is grayed out is because when a lens with a SteadyShot switch is attached (like the 90mm Macro) the on/off status can only be controlled on the lens switch. You cannot turn off IBIS and only use Lens steadyshot; either both stabilizers are on or they aren’t.

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