Sony does it again, A7 II with 5-axis in-body stabilization

[StudentOfLight]

About heavy and large having perceived value - I immediately thought of Cadillac (or whoever it was) putting lead in their doors to give them a customer satisfying "clunk" when they closed. Between friends we call this the "impressing strangers" effect (yes, we're all nerdy engineering types). Bigger and heavier means "better", right?

This effect is not to be underestimated from a mass-marketing point of view - car manufacturers employ sound designers to make cheap cars sound cheap and vice versa. There are lots of customers out there who wouldn't want to buy a "gadget" even if the image quality and "objective" specs are better, and no doubts Canon will try to keep a large part of that old-school market share.

Vice versa... so sound engineers employ car manufacturers to make expensive sounds systems look expensive

 

[RLPhoto]

IBIS was only the next natural step. They've had it for awhile now in the axx series cameras.

Now if Sony could get their sync speeds to 1/500th or faster, I would adopt one asap. I don't think it's ready to replace my DSLRs until they address the issues with the whole mirror less platform.

 

[xps]

I don't see how you can compare this with the 5D III, the 6D yes, and its in the same price range, A7 II has more MP and new technology while the 6D will still perform better in low light.

... this is why I will wait for the Sony A9 to come. With new, even better sensor. 8)

It is rumored, that this new senor has the equal low light capability like the 6D, an stellar IQ and an much faster and accurate AF.
If this is true, staying @ 36MP would be "tolerable" ....

I heared from third party engeneers, that the success of Alpha 7 line made them hurrying up designing new lenses. The alpha line will get some new, hig quality lenses in the next years.

 

[xps]

I recently picked up a Sony APS-C A6000 and confirmed that it can produce a (slightly) better image than my full frame 5D MkII. That's what six years of investment in sensor technologies can do for a company.

Sensor tech will keep evolving, but a larger sensor means less dof with the same f-stop - that'll keep "full frame" running even if "full" is just a strange reminder of the film days.

It's painful as I never thought I'd feel this way as I've been a loyal Canon user for over 40 years. I've invested too many $$$'s to go through this, but what choice do I have if what I can put to better use is small, light, powerful and doesn't have a mirror-box?

No doubt Canon will make the same switch sooner or later with DO lenses and their dual pixel af. They just don't want their current customers to know and keep on selling their mirror gear until the very last second. Imho there will be a market for maybe the next decade. A lot of people don't mind about heavy and large, it implies value and craftsmanship.

My guess is that there is a ~2 years time window for Canon do something about their product policy. If Sony keeps innovating at the same speed, about that time the difference to old-school dslr gear will be so large people might really jump ship rather than talk about it.

+1
If the ml cams cure their "childhood diseases" and develope their lens spectrum, this camery type will be an seroius opponent

 

[Maui5150]

Sony entered the market with little to nothing. They had no market share. Commercial pros (sports, wildlife, illustration, corporate, wedding, portrait) and imaging artists could buy "better" gear from Canon or Nikon. Sony acquired Minolta/Konica and with them came certain technologies that Sony didn't have to develop in-house. Meanwhile, Sony put what appears to be a significant investment in sensor technologies. Finally, when Olympus' management team screwed up and had to sell the imaging group, Sony was able to pick up yet more technology.

At some point Sony would have to surpass the traditional camera manufacturers somehow, someway, right?

Sony's marketing team must be going nuts! with all this great "sizzle" they can sell. This kind of stuff is good attention grabbing material.

Perhaps more importantly, these things are actually useful technologies and can help solve a number of problems for Sony and bring them level with Nikon and Canon. I'm thinking in terms of Sony not having to invest in OSS development for their 70-400mm competitor to Canon's much-loved 100-400L. I'm thinking of all the vintage glass that now has image stabilization (as noted below).

NOW we're getting somewhere! A machine like this will temp even me to try out a Sony body... with lots of lens adapters...

...for those who haven't experienced IBIS in a Pentax or Olympus body, it can work very well. Makes nearly every lens you have stabilized, even classic old primes...

Higher-end A-9 model still rumored for early 2015, Hmmm...

My biggest question remains, given Sony's financial troubles and how in recent years they have sold off Laptops, TV and other electronics, who will be Sony selling there camera business to in 2015

 

[jrista]

IBIS was only the next natural step. They've had it for awhile now in the axx series cameras.

Now if Sony could get their sync speeds to 1/500th or faster, I would adopt one asap. I don't think it's ready to replace my DSLRs until they address the issues with the whole mirror less platform.

Agreedm 1/500th sync would be fantastic. I might start using flash again for birds.

 

[ChristopherMarkPerez]

Canon. They could use the technology boost.

But why would Sony sell a profitable business unit? To finance their failing businesses? It doesn't make sense.

Trying to frighten people into staying with a brand is a very poor business practice.

My biggest question remains, given Sony's financial troubles and how in recent years they have sold off Laptops, TV and other electronics, who will be Sony selling there camera business to in 2015

 

[Marsu42]

Agreedm 1/500th sync would be fantastic. I might start using flash again for birds.

What's the problem - the lack of stopping power of hss or the drop in power output?

Trying to frighten people into staying with a brand is a very poor business practice.

But a tried and proven one: "If you can't convince them, confuse them" (Truman) :->

 

[DominoDude]

...

Oh, look!? Shiny! *easily duped, but not by Sony* *combs my absent blonde hair*

 

[jrista]

Agreedm 1/500th sync would be fantastic. I might start using flash again for birds.

What's the problem - the lack of stopping power of hss or the drop in power output?

For a lot of birds (say a chickadee, which has MASSIVE dynamic range, so lighting up the dark feathers is useful), I still seem to bet some motion blur at 1/200th. Even with the flash, you can still see the motion-blurred ghost "beneath" the frozen detail...it annoys me.

 

[privatebydesign]

Incremental sync speed is vastly over rated and not the panacea many seem to think it is. Besides, the 1D from 2002 synced at 1/500 and the 1D MkIV syncs at 1/300 AND, speedlites like the 600-EX-RT, 580 EX II, Nikon SB910 etc have full power flash duration in the 1/250-1/350 range anyway, shorter shutter speeds actually cut your power even when you are not in HSS.

 

[mkabi]

So, I can expect an a7s III (note: not a typo) sometime in 2016?

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

As a video guy, this makes me really hopeful that they'll give the same treatment/update to the A7s. However, I will hand it to Canon that their cameras are consistently bug free and reliable. The A7s acts weird sometimes, and instead of focusing on firmware updates to improve such issues, Sony seems more driven to replace their cameras altogether (which is probably the best strategy if they're trying to expand their user base).

 

[Marsu42]

For a lot of birds (say a chickadee, which has MASSIVE dynamic range, so lighting up the dark feathers is useful), I still seem to bet some motion blur at 1/200th. Even with the flash, you can still see the motion-blurred ghost "beneath" the frozen detail...it annoys me.

You're trying to stay in x-sync range? With the annoying max. x-sync of the 6d of 1/180s I often use hss to fill dark wildlife fur, and it works just fine as with the exposure times I'm using (mostly ~1/500) the lack of hss stopping power doesn't matter. Since I'm not going for a key light overpowering the sun, even a little hss flash helps a lot to raise shadows in post.

AND, speedlites like the 600-EX-RT, 580 EX II, Nikon SB910 etc have full power flash duration in the 1/250-1/350 range anyway

Let you google that for me :-> ... I read in a smart book I purchased that 1/1 flash of a 580ex2 is 1/800s?

 

[jrista]

For a lot of birds (say a chickadee, which has MASSIVE dynamic range, so lighting up the dark feathers is useful), I still seem to bet some motion blur at 1/200th. Even with the flash, you can still see the motion-blurred ghost "beneath" the frozen detail...it annoys me.

You're trying to stay in x-sync range? With the annoying max. x-sync of the 6d of 1/180s I often use hss to fill dark wildlife fur, and it works just fine as with the exposure times I'm using (mostly ~1/500) the lack of hss stopping power doesn't matter. Since I'm not going for a key light overpowering the sun, even a little hss flash helps a lot to raise shadows in post.

Well, with birds, your already usually at quite a distance. I never found HSS was adding much, and it was just another source of power drain (more batteries that I had to carry with me.) I have a better beamer, which is a simple fresnel light concentrating system, which can help with the reach...but with HSS, you still don't have a lot of power.


For some birds, like waders, a 1/200th second shutter with X-synced flash is fine, those birds are larger and don't move a lot. It's the shorebirds and songbirds that are constantly on the move. They can be difficult enough to freeze motion in at high ISOs, and I've noticed, particularly on the ultra-jittery birds like chickadees and least sandpipers, that even with flash you can get visible ghosting.


Anyway, with the 5D III my high ISO noise problems are greatly mitigated over the 7D. I haven't used flash for well over a year, and the last time I did was on the 7D. I don't think I really need it...and if you can't really get full flash power at 1/500th sync (that seems odd to me...isn't a full-power flash pulse around 1/1000s?), then it probably wouldn't matter anyway.

 

[Marsu42]

nyway, with the 5D III my high ISO noise problems are greatly mitigated over the 7D. I haven't used flash for well over a year, and the last time I did was on the 7D. I don't think I really need it...

I like to shoot backlit subject, and in these cases flash is essential for me. I just tried it once again without flash in against the morning sun, but no can do, the subject shadows cave in even using Magic Lantern's dual_iso to get 14.5+ ev dynamic range. Even moderate hss can help a lot here if the subject is not too far away, plus it can give you some automatic subject isolation even if some people hate even a tiny "flash look".

 

[tayassu]

A very nice camera indeed, the AF upgrade was needed as far as I heard.

Too bad they don't have a into-the-corner sharp, fast standard zoom... :

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I've already tried the A7r + 55/1.8 + adapted lenses experiment for a few months and decided I just didn't care for the whole setup. It had/has some advantages. But the disadvantages and frustrations I had outweighed the positives which has led the rig out of my door.

That being said, the A7II is really intriguing with the updated AF and IBIS. My interest is piqued once again.

My only issue is the same one others have expressed already....how much commitment is there going to be from Sony to all these systems? Also, am I going to have to look at trying to upgrade my outdated camera body every year? The last thing I anticipated was a mark II of any of the A7 line this quickly. I would hate to look at my camera body like my iPhone (although I'm sure this is exactly what Sony is hoping for).

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Also, am I going to have to look at trying to upgrade my outdated camera body every year?

Why would you upgrade if your current model does what you need it to do?

Just because a new model comes out does not make the previous model "out dated". Of course that is what the camera manufacturers want you to believe.

 

[infared]

Yeah...its impressive..yes...Canon is sound asleep...but I still can't get from a sony what I can get image-wise with my 5DIII with my Sigma 50mm f/1.4, Canon 85mm f/1.2 etc......from the standpoint of low DOF ...etc....Sony just doesn't have the wide f-stop lenses with AF....but man...that body just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. Canon....WAKE UP!