Sony has unveiled the long-awaited update to its a7R mirrorless camera, boosting the shooter’s credentials with internal 4K video.
Dubbed the a7R II, this Mk. 2 version boasts a number of improvements over its predecessor.
For starters, it’s got 399 on-sensor phase detection points, which should make for exceptionally nippy autofocus.
This will still work with lenses produced by other brands too, marking this as a versatile offering.
Sony has also improved the camera’s shutter mechanism, and the a7R ships with what Sony boasts is the world’s first back-illuminated full-frame 35mm Exmor R CMOS sensor.
This sensor can churn out super-high resolution 42.4-megapixel shots, and offers a maximum sensitivity of ISO 102400.
At that ISO setting, the Sony a7R II can effectively see in the dark, although we’ll need a review unit to test this feature properly.
Of course, that’s still not a scratch on the Sony A7S, which offers up an absurd 409,600 max ISO.
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Perhaps the headline feature is that the a7R II allows you to shoot 4K video using the entire full-frame sensor.
UHD video can be captured at 30, 24, or 24 frames per second, and can also be taken from a Super 35 crop.
Thanks to the XAVC codec, the a7R II can record at 100Mbps during 4K shooting, and 50Mbps with Full HD capture.
There’ll also be a 5-inch 1080p monitor coming out soon that Sony says you’ll be able to mount onto the hot-shoe. We’ll update you when we have more info on this.
It’s great to see Sony taking 4K shooting seriously, but this impressive shooter will cost you a fair chunk of change. The camera is set to cost around $3,200 (£2,069).
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
