The "old" Alpha 7, I used initially with the kit lens, but that not really convinced. Really happy I was only after acquisition of Zeiss Vario-Tessar SEL2470Z. If you caught a good specimen, the realizable image results are simply outstanding! In this respect I use this lens to the new camera body on.
First impression, feel and quality of workmanship:
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The "old" Alpha 7 was a surprisingly compact and lightweight camera, measured in mind that it has a full frame sensor. With their retro style, she was also very smart. Nevertheless, the camera looked solid and of high quality.
When I 7 II held the new Alpha for the first time in hand, she left me with mixed feelings. Although it is very similar to the part of the form factor and design of the original Alpha 7, it somehow reminded me strongly of my previous Nikon DSLRs. This may be primarily the higher weight, which significantly out form direct grip and the structured coating of camera bodies owed. The new Alpha 7 II acts clearly tooliger, professional, robust, as well as less smart. The A7 had a velvety smooth coated housing and worked in conjunction with the well coated Zeiss lenses as a unified whole. This visual and tactile correspondence is now no longer given.
It is also amazing that one perceives the weight as much higher, although there are effectively only 130 grams more compared to its predecessor.
While the original Alpha 7 opposite the 7R no magnesium front decreed the new Alpha draws 7 II here with the same 7R. In addition, a lack of constructive the bayonet was eradicated. Many users of the A7 / 7R complain of too much play between the lens and bayonet. Unfortunately, I can only confirm that was in my model too. When A7S the bayonet has been strengthened and this has also been adopted in the A7 II so. And indeed, my Zeiss SEL2470Z sits now bombproof and zero backlash. Water and dust resistant A7 of the first generation was about it.
The grip of the camera has won compared to the previous model and the location of numerous controls is well thought out. Lovely, too, that the trigger is moved slightly forward. A redesign of the setting there is no longer confusion between the aperture and exposure compensation. The pivoting mechanism of the monitor has been revised slightly. When shooting from the worm's eye view of the LCD screen is now a little further back and thus interferes with the sweeping viewfinder no longer the monitor image.
Basically, however, also applies to the new A7 II: 24-70mm zoom lens Included are the dimensions and the weight still below most APS-C cameras with mirror. Dimensions and weight are still very pleasant for a full-frame system!
To make it short: Even if the lifestyle factor has suffered something that new housing of the A7 II is significantly high, catchy and also robust.
Tie prevails in poor delivery. Still lying in an external charger and also no reasonable manual. Fortunately, there are many third-party providers that offer reasonable chargers and batteries at very reasonable prices. It is nice at least, that the use of third-party batteries Sony technically not in derogation, as do other manufacturers.
Technology and features:
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The Sony Alpha 7 II has the identical full-frame sensor size 35.8 x 23.9 mm with 24 megapixels, as it already had the predecessor built. By relatively low pixel density and simultaneously large photosensitive area ideal conditions for low noise and detailed shots are given with above-average dynamic range. Also, the free parking potential against the background is significantly better than with smaller sensors. At the same time also decreases the achievable depth of field, which should meet any prospective definitely.
The most outstanding new feature compared to the predecessor model, the 5-axis image stabilization of the image sensor. That this has advantages in the use of non-image stabilized lenses with them is obvious. But what good is it to me if I already have an image stabilized lens?
Sony combines both image stabilizers, achieving sharp images even with longer exposure times again. So I get some shots with 70 mm focal length of the hand with a relatively long exposure time of 1/5 second.
The hybrid autofocus A7 has revised at the A7 II again Sony, it should now further 30% work more quickly. Compared to the predecessor model, the A7 II has the more powerful XAVC S video format. Amazingly, I find, however, that the maximum frame rate is 50 fps. The Sony RX100 M3 offers here 100 frames per second, which in turn allows great slow-motion effects.
Operationally, there is otherwise between the A7 and A7 II virtually tied. It's pretty much everything available, what can be imagined today. Only a built-in GPS module is missing. Recording parameters, Keys, display and viewfinder displays, everything is largely flexible customization.
The menu of the alpha 7 models is largely identical to the user interface of the RX10 or RX100 M3 and I feel this in comparison to some other brand than boon. So quickly and safely navigates you with almost any other menu by the various functions. Also very pleasant I find the detailed battery indicator in percentage increments. However, the alpha 7 II, just as it did the predecessor anything but energy efficient. Carrying 1 - 2 charged spare battery is inevitable, at least if one is a whole day traveling with the camera.
As the Alpha 7 models do not have a built-in flash, I use at least the little Sony HVL-F20M Aufsteckblitz. This is very light, compact and yet powerful as it could be a built-in flash ever. However, one should go when mounted on the hotshoe works carefully, because the plastic surface above the electronic viewfinder is extremely susceptible to scratching when A7 II, as I unfortunately had to notice. That was not an issue in the predecessor model.
Monitor and viewfinder:
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The Alpha 7/7 Alpha II have the exact same electronic viewfinder, and this is a class of its own! With its high resolution, the 100% frame coverage, and the light amplification it outclasses any conventional optical viewfinder. The proximity sensor works more reliably than the previous model, is likely to be interested in what particular eyeglass wearers. This automatically switches the viewfinder while looking through a and the monitor simultaneously. All additional information that you can show on the monitor, are also the viewfinder available.
The monitor has remained the same in terms of its size, the number of pixels increased from 921,600 to 1,228,800 pixels. More interesting is that the Monitor of Alpha 7 II has additional white subpixel, which increases the brightness and visibility significantly in sunlight. A sensor for automatic brightness adjustment as possess him the RX10 or small RX100 models, there are unfortunately still for the Alpha 7 II.
Image Quality:
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With high-quality lenses, the achievable image results even in the "old" A7 were outstanding. So it does not surprise me that the image quality between A7 and A7 II is identical. However, my experiences are based exclusively on the RAW format. It is quite possible that the results differ in JPEG due to changed internal image processing.
However, a relevant advantage I could see at the Alpha 7 II: shooting at higher ISO values and longer exposure have significantly less noise in the corners and in the edge region. I suspect that this is related to the increased bayonet. When A7 / A7R was heard repeatedly from light leaks that probably were even with the relatively loose fit of the lenses associated.
Conclusion:
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The Sony Alpha 7 II is an extremely interesting and optimized in many details full frame camera, to which there is virtually nothing to criticize. Compared to its predecessor, it has a handier and more robust housing with a bayonet and provides enhanced absorption benefits of the internal 5-axis image stabilization.
However, this all comes at a price. At the moment the Alpha 7 II is even higher than the really expensive Alpha 7R. Compared to the "old" Alpha 7 are a few hundred euros more to shell out. To what extent this price difference is justified, everyone must decide for themselves individually. Excluding the price sidelined, the Alpha II is 7 in my opinion the most coherent of all currently offered Alpha 7 variants. The best value for money offers but clearly the alpha 7 of the first generation, the lt. Sony will continue in parallel or in addition to the A7 II offer remains.
Finally, a small request: You use the tuning button! So you contribute to a better orientation regarding usefulness of all reviews.
