Used the a7sii today for a short project. It's a great cam and step up from its predecessor. There are so many things i like about it.
Background - I come from a photography and digital imaging background - No concrete experience in video and certainly not technically incline. - Previous cameras i have used for video: a7s, a7r, FS7, Sony handycam
Likes about a7s2 - Bright LCD viewfinder that allowed me to focus even under direct hot sunlight
- 4K is nice and sharp. I did not go beyond 29 mins limit but was shooting randomly around 40 minutes or so. Camera was hot but did not shut down like the earlier a7 series i used. But this is non-conclusive.
- Handgrip was good. Improved over the previous one (but read the quirks)
- Picture quality is good. Shutter sound is fantastic.
- Camera feels very robust
I wouldn't say that the camera has its cons but areas that can be improved.
Quirks - Camera goes into a super35 mode when you switch to 100 fps
- When shooting at 100 fps, files are still in mpeg and not differentiated w the 4K files. Hard to find your files
- Those of us who are used to draining a7s batteries are probably used to this complain.
- Movie button cannot be customised? (I couldn't find it).
- The default colors cannot be customised (At least i haven't found out how).
- the weight is heavier than the predecessor. Need to grip it firmer. Unsupported shakes are more apparent even with stabiliser.
- 5 axis stabiliser is not a cure for all. A tripod is.
Buy or not Buy?
- Like what some online reviewers have said: If you are looking to own one video-hybrid camera, this is probably a good one to get.
- Even if you have the a7s, you will find some significant difference. Will see if i can share some footage and pictures later.
Background - I come from a photography and digital imaging background - No concrete experience in video and certainly not technically incline. - Previous cameras i have used for video: a7s, a7r, FS7, Sony handycam
Likes about a7s2 - Bright LCD viewfinder that allowed me to focus even under direct hot sunlight
- 4K is nice and sharp. I did not go beyond 29 mins limit but was shooting randomly around 40 minutes or so. Camera was hot but did not shut down like the earlier a7 series i used. But this is non-conclusive.
- Handgrip was good. Improved over the previous one (but read the quirks)
- Picture quality is good. Shutter sound is fantastic.
- Camera feels very robust
I wouldn't say that the camera has its cons but areas that can be improved.
Quirks - Camera goes into a super35 mode when you switch to 100 fps
- When shooting at 100 fps, files are still in mpeg and not differentiated w the 4K files. Hard to find your files
- Those of us who are used to draining a7s batteries are probably used to this complain.
- Movie button cannot be customised? (I couldn't find it).
- The default colors cannot be customised (At least i haven't found out how).
- the weight is heavier than the predecessor. Need to grip it firmer. Unsupported shakes are more apparent even with stabiliser.
- 5 axis stabiliser is not a cure for all. A tripod is.
Buy or not Buy?
- Like what some online reviewers have said: If you are looking to own one video-hybrid camera, this is probably a good one to get.
- Even if you have the a7s, you will find some significant difference. Will see if i can share some footage and pictures later.
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