Making strides in the video arena, the a7SII Mirrorless Digital Camera from Sony offers an impressive blend of sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, and speed to benefit a versatile multimedia workflow. Revolving around a full-frame 12.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, the a7SII is capable of internal UHD 4K recording at 30 fps with full pixel readout as well as 1080p recording at up to 120 fps, all in the XAVC S format. Benefitting recording versatility, the BIONZ X image processor also pairs with the sensor to enable expanded sensitivity to ISO 409600 along with fast intelligent autofocus with low-light sensitivity to -4 EV. Further enabling working in difficult lighting conditions, 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization compensates for vertical, horizontal, pitch, yaw, and roll camera movements for sharper, smoother handheld recording.
Full-Frame Exmor Sensor and BIONZ X Image Processor A 12.2MP full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor work together to enable an expansive dynamic range with minimal noise and notable sensitivity from ISO 100-102400, which is further expandable to ISO 50-409600. Coupled with the large individual pixel size the 12.2MP sensor affords, this camera is well-suited to use in low-light conditions.
The sensor's design also features a new-generation RGB color filter array, as well as a gapless on-chip lens design. Together, these two technologies enable truly efficient light-gathering abilities that further reinforce the low noise, high-sensitivity design. Furthermore, an anti-reflective coating has also been applied to the seal glass of the image sensor to minimize surface reflections, glare, and ghosting for contrast-rich, color-neutral imagery.
The sensor and processor combination also avail a wealth of performance-related benefits to still shooting, including a Speed Priority continuous shooting rate of 5 fps, or a 2.5 fps shooting rate with continuous AF. The contrast-detection AF system employs 25 distinct points to quickly and precisely acquire focus in light levels as low as -4 EV to support working in a wide variety of shooting conditions.
Internal UHD 4K Recording and Full Pixel Readout Internal recording of UHD 4K movies is possible in multiple frame rates up to 30 fps and, based on the 12.2MP resolution, full pixel readout is possible that is void of pixel binning for higher quality imagery. Full HD 1080p recording is also supported in frame rates up to 120 fps, and both resolutions utilize the 100 Mbps XAVC S format contained within an MP4 wrapper with 4:2:0 sampling. The high-speed, 120 fps recording also enables 4x and 5x slow-motion movie recording with the frame rate set to either 30p or 24p.
In addition to high-resolution internal recording, uncompressed HDMI output also enables the use of an optional external recorder for clean 4K recording with 4:2:2 sampling.
5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization Packed into the svelte a7SII is a 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system that compensates for five types of camera shake encountered during handheld shooting of stills and video. This allows users to confidently use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical imaging without encountering blur from camera shake.
For long focal lengths, the system will correct for pitch and yaw adjustments. Macro and high-magnification imagery, on the other hand, will benefit from the inclusion of horizontal and vertical shift compensation. All shooting styles will get usage out of the roll compensation. All 5 axes of stabilization will function at all times, even when used with third-party lenses and adapters or lenses with built-in optical stabilization.
Custom ColoUr Profiles and S-Log3 Gamma Support is available for the S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log-3 and S-Gamut3/S-Log3 profiles that enable up to a 1300% wider dynamic range for smoother tonal and color gradations, along with enhanced sensitivity and clarity in shadows and mid-tones. These profiles also lend themselves to greater compatibility within a professional workflow and are well-paired to the Cineon Log gamma curve for versatile post-production grading and color control. The S-Log3 gamma setting also offers an impressive 14-stop wide dynamic range for greater control over the highlights and shadows, while the S-Gamut3.Cine profile can be used to mimic the qualities of scanned negative film with a wide gamut comparable to the DCI-P3 color space.
In addition to the S-Log3 gamma, the popular S-Log2 settings are also available.
Zebra and Gamma Display Assist An enhanced Zebra function is ideally suited to working with S-Log gamma profiles and aids in monitoring exposure values in high-contrast scenes. Video signal level targets can be set from 0 to 109, and specific ranges can be set to make exposure level adjustments easier.
In contrast, a Gamma Display Assist function is also available that displays scenes with natural contrast when recording with S-Log settings. This function converts imagery to the ITU709 profile for easier on-camera monitoring.
Timecode and User Bit Settings The a7SII has multiple timecode recording options to meet different workflows. It has the standard 'Record Run" mode that only advances the timecode when recording, as well as "Free Run" timecode that advances the timecode even when not recording, which can be great for syncing multiple cameras at live events. It can also record timecode in both drop frame and non-drop frame modes. When recording internally the a7SII is also able to output timecode via HDMI.
0.5" 2.36m-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder Electronic Viewfinder With its 4-lens optical system using double-sided aspherical elements the viewfinder faithfully displays what will appear in your recording, including the effects of your camera settings. You'll enjoy rich tonal gradations and improved contrast. High-end features like 100% frame coverage and a 0.78x magnification enable comfortable and stable eye-level composition.
This function that boosts image brightness by changing shutter speed, for example, can be assigned to a customizable button for easy access when shooting a starry sky or other dark scene.
ISO Auto Minimum Shutter Speed Prevent blur in a shot of a moving subject by setting a shutter speed at which ISO sensitivity starts changing when ISO AUTO (while in P or A mode, or in Multi Frame NR) is selected.
1200-zone Evaluative Metering Ample data from 1200-zone metering and focal plane phase-detection AF points allows for more precise control of light volume from an external flash that complements ambient light. Choose Multi-segment, Center-weighted or Spot-metering mode.
Priority setup in AF-C/AF-S In AF-S (Single-shot AF) or AF-C (Continuous AF) mode, choose AF priority for taking pictures only when subject is in focus, Release priority for taking pictures even when subject is not in focus, or Balanced Emphasis for balancing the AF and Release options to achieve accurate focus, yet not miss a decisive moment when shooting moving subjects.
AF-A mode In this mode, press the shutter button halfway down, and the camera automatically recognizes whether the subject is moving or not, then switches AF mode accordingly between AF-S to lock on a subject in focus and AF-C to keep adjusting focus. This versatility is useful for shooting various subjects at the same time, or to avoid switching AF mode manually.
Creative Style Creative Style settings bring out the character of your scene. Simply select any of 13 settings (Vivid, Portrait, etc.) and the camera will adjust image parameters. You can also fine-tune contrast, saturation11 and sharpness to suit your preference.
Auto HDR (High Dynamic Range) Auto HDR composites the best details from three exposures to expand the dynamic range of your images from darkest shadows to brightest highlights and capture all the tonal gradations seen by your naked eye.
D-range Optimizer (DRO) In difficult lighting, DRO corrects your images to achieve smoother, more natural gradations with more detail in the highlights and shadows. You can use it during continuous shooting and when photographing moving subjects.
Multi Frame NR (Noise Reduction) This mode composites four shots to significantly suppress noise and raise sensitivity, letting you clearly capture dark scenes without a tripod or flash. Camera shake blur is also lowered while contrast and detail are raised.
Focus Magnifier & Peaking function You can clearly magnify the image to simplify manual fine-tuning of the focus whether shooting still images or movies. The Peaking function can also be activated to colorize the most sharply focused areas of your image for quick confirmation.
Product Specification
Imaging Lens Mount: Sony E-Mount Camera Format: Full-Frame Pixels: 12.2 Megapixel Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Sensor Type / Size: CMOS, 35.8 x 23.9 mm File Formats
Still Images: JPEG, RAW
Movies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4, XAVC S
Dust Reduction System: Yes Memory Card Type:
SD
SDHC
SDXC
Memory Stick PRO Duo (High Speed)
Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo
Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 5-Way
AV Recording Video Recording: Yes, NTSC/PAL Resolution:
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Video Clip Length: Up to 29 Min 59 Sec Audio Recording
Built-in Mic: With Video, Stereo
Optional External Mic: With Video, Stereo + Mono
Focus Control Focus Type: Auto & Manual
Viewfinder/Display Viewfinder Type: Electronic Viewfinder Size: 0.5" Viewfinder Pixel Count: 2,359,296 Viewfinder Eye Point: 23.00 mm Viewfinder Coverage: 100% Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.78x Diopter Adjustment: - 4 to +3 m
Exposure Control ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100-25600 (Extended Mode: Auto, 50-102400)
Flash Built-in Flash: No External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe
* Finance available to UK incorporated limited companies only
Photolease Company Finance from £71.26 (ex VAT) per month.
All lease figures below exclude VAT. Finance available to UK incorporated limited companies only.
Term (months)
First Payment
Monthly Payments
Admin Fee
Total Payment
60
£121.26
£71.26
£50.00
£4,325.49
48
£134.32
£84.32
£50.00
£4,097.26
36
£156.44
£106.44
£50.00
£3,881.97
24
£200.50
£150.50
£50.00
£3,662.11
12
£332.53
£282.53
£50.00
£3,440.34
Select "Photolease finance" as the payment option at checkout. Finance is only available to UK incorporated limited companies. A minimum basket total of £1,000.00 applies, Photolease will normally contact you within one hour of receipt of your application if sent during business hours of 9am - 5pm (BST), Monday to Friday.
Photolease Ltd is an independent finance company specialising in leasing equipment to the creative industry. Visit photolease.co.uk for more information as well as their terms and conditions. Offer is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Written details available upon request.