Sony A7S II Review After Real World Use

Here is an honest review of the new Sony A7S II camera. Unlike most people who just test out a camera in store before forming an opinion, I actually use the gear that I review in real world production settings.

This way I can tell you how each product behaves when used on a regular day of filming. This review is no different. I had a chance to use this amazing new camera for 3 weeks of tests and also a 4 days shoot in New York on a music video. I used it in the rain and out on a sunny day. The camera never stopped or overheated on me. In this review you will see my results with this camera and what I think is good and bad. Sit back and enjoy!

You can buy this camera online. Check out Amazon.com for best deals also you can get it from Adorama.com
CameraSonya7s2

They also have great deals on these lenses:
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4
Sony Zeiss Distagon T*FE 35mm F/1.4
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8

 

Specs:

Lens Mount: Sony E-mount lenses

Sensor: 35mm full frame Exmor CMOS sensor (35.8 x 23.9mm)

Pixels:
Actual: 12.4 Megapixel
Effective: 12.2 MegapixelMax Resolution4240 x 2832Aspect

Movies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC S

Audio: AAC LC, AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)

Memory Card TypeSD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo (High Speed), Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-WayVideo

Recording: NTSC/PALVideo

Resolution:
3840 x 2160: 30 fps, 24 fps, 25 fps
1920 x 1080: 120 fps, 100 fps
1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 50 fps, 30 fps, 25 fps, 24 fps

Video Format: 4K – XAVC S3840 x 2160p / 29.97 fps (100 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 29.97 fps (60 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 23.98 fps (100 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 23.98 fps (60 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 25 fps (100 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 23.98 fps (60 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 25 fps (100 Mbps)
3840 x 2160p / 25 fps (60 Mbps)

Video Format:
High Definition – XAVC S1920 x 1080p / 120 fps (100 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 100 fps (100 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 120 fps (60 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 100 fps (60 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 59.94 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 29.97 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 23.98 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 50 fps (50 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 25 fps (50 Mbps)

Video Format:
High Definition – AVCHD1920 x 1080p / 59.94 fps (28 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 59.94 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 59.94 fps (17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 23.98 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 23.98 fps (17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 50 fps (28 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 50 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i / 50 fps (17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 25 fps (24 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 25 fps (17 Mbps)

Video Format:
High Definition – MP41920 x 1080p / 60 fps (28 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 29.97 fps (16 Mbps)
1280 x 720p / 29.97 fps (6 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 50 fps (28 Mbps)
1920 x 1080p / 25 fps (16 Mbps)
1280 x 720p / 25 fps (6 Mbps)

Video Clip Length: Up to 29 Min 59 Sec

Audio Recording: Built-in Mic: With Video, Stereo
Optional External Mic: With Video, Stereo + Mono

ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100-102400 (Extended Mode: 50-409600)ShutterType: Electronic & Mechanical
Speed: 30 – 1/8000 second

Metering Method: Center-weighted average metering, Multiple, Spot metering

Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority, Auto, Intelligent Auto, Manual, Movie, Programmed Auto, Scene Selection, Shutter Priority, Superior Auto, Sweep Panorama

Built-in Flash: No

Battery: 1x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack, 7.4 VDC, 1020 mAhAC

Power AdapterAC-UUD11 AC

Operating Temperature: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)

Dimensions: (WxHxD) 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5″ (116.8 x 68.6 x 38.1mm)Weight: 19.61 oz (555.93g) body only
21.13 oz (599.03g) with battery and media

23 thoughts on “Sony A7S II Review After Real World Use”

  1. Thanks for the great review- nice to see footage from a real-world gig too! I’m curious to know what gimbal you used as you were shooting the music video?

      1. Hi Tom,
        Great video. I was wondering if Sony has changed the video formats on this camera as I am based in London and would like to shoot in pal 24 fps but don’t have that option. The only option is 25 fps.

        1. Change your camera’s settings to NTSC and you will have 24p option, which is the same resolution as in Pal because HD or 4K are identical resolutions in both formats.

  2. Another thorough and informative video as usual, Tom. Thank you! Would you please share information on the camera bag that you are using in the video?

    1. Thanks Dave, wish I knew but this was the bag that Adorama.com gave me along with the camera. I have since returned it and don’t remember what brand or model it was.

    1. Thanks Dave, wish I knew but this was the bag that Adorama.com gave me along with the camera. I have since returned it and don’t remember what brand or model it was.

  3. Great review. Would be great to se a short comparison between a7s ii & a7r ii? Have you had any issiues with dark spots in log-mode on a7s ii? And by the way- that Came Singel looks really great. Thanks for always sharing 🙂

  4. Hi Tom very informative thanks, was the camera and lens pushing the limits of the Came single gimbal or could it have taken a little more weight?

    1. Thanks! Yeah this camera/lens combo was definitely pushing the limit of this gimbal. When I put the GH4 camera with the lumix vario 12-35mm lens on this gimbal then it works even smoother and for 10 hours instead of 8hours with the big sony zoom lens.

  5. Nice one tom.pls i need some like you alway say the nex 5 is good for a start but then i want to ask if u can cornet a mic to it or how can you get a good sound ot of it

  6. Nice one tom.pls i need some help like you alway say the nex 5 is good for a start but then i want to ask if u can cornet a mic to it or how can you get a good sound ot of it

    1. No the NEX5 doesn’t have a mic connection. It’s good for music video production or film work because there you don’t need sound on camera. On films you always record sound separately. But if you need a camera for more live event work then this might not be so good because you can’t connect the mic and also because it does overheat.

  7. Thank u very much.pls what mic will u suggest i use alone side the nex 5 which is cheap and over here in ghana is only the nex 3 that i see is it also good for a start

  8. Hi Tom,

    Thank you for the time and effort you put into these reviews and tutorials. They really are excellent.

    I am thinking of purchasing the A7Sii with the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Canon EF lens and a Metabones Ultra X 7.1 speed booster. I was wondering what your view would be on this set up? I realise the Sigma can come with a Sony bracket, but I thought the Speed booster would offer both greater lens flexibility and of course an extra stop.

    Kind regards,

    James

    1. You shouldn’t use the metabones speedbooster on the A7sii because it’s already a full frame camera so you will get horrible vignetting in your photos and videos. Just get a regular active adapter. The A7sii is full frame AND amazing in low light so you really don’t need the extra fstop of light.

  9. great video and review. do you think ai could use the rokinon 35 1.5 cine lens with this came tv? i really want to buy this gimbal for my A7s2., i want to buy a zoom lens i was thinking on the 24-70 f4 zeiss so i can get a more range with the APs-c change to.! im having a hard time to decide , what zoom lens can u recomend i can get to use it with this came tv and all around lens for weddings and social events in the A7s2

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