Sony A7

Sony α7

Type	Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
Sensor	35.8×23.9 mm Exmor full-frame HD CMOS Sensor
Maximum resolution	6000×4000 (3:2) (24 megapixels)[1]
Lens	Sony E-mount
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/8000 - 30 sec, BULB
ASA/ISO range	Auto, 100-25600
Exposure metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Focus modes	Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View
Continuous shooting	5 frame/s
Viewfinder	Built-in 2.4 million dots OLED Electronic viewfinder
Rear LCD monitor	3.0 in (76 mm) Tilting XtraFine LCD, 1,230,000 pixels
Storage	Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC
Battery	NP-FW50, InfoLITHIUM, 7.2 V, 1080 mAh, 7.7 Wh, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions	127×94×48 mm
Weight	Approx. 474 g (16.7 oz) (camera body, card and battery)

The Sony α7, α7R and α7S are three closely related digital cameras. The first two were announced on 16 October 2013^[2] and the third on 6 April 2014. Externally they are identical except for the model number. They are Sony’s first full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and share the E-mount with the company’s smaller sensor NEX series.

The α7 II was announced in November 2014, and is the first in the family to revise the original body and ergonomics. The α7 series is targeted at experienced users, enthusiasts and professionals.^[3] The α7R II was announced in June 2015.

The Sony α7 and α7R have the model numbers ILCE-7 and ILCE-7R respectively. In addition, the α7S, the α7 II, and the α7R II have the model numbers ILCE-7S, ILCE-7M2, and ILCE-7RM2. Sony's new model naming prefix strives to unify model names. "ILC" indicates Interchangeable Lens Camera followed by an indicator of A-mount "A" or E-mount "E"^[4]

Pre-announcement rumours speculated that the new camera would be named "Sony NEX-9".^[5]

Although the α7 series uses full-frame sensors and have a DSLR-shaped design, their sizes and weights are less than Olympus OM-D E-M1 with its small micro four thirds sensor and can also be compared with the lightest full-frame DSLR.^[6] Compared to the smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR Canon EOS 100D, the α7 is 67 grams heavier and a bit larger, but the thickness is only two thirds of Canon's.^[7] The α7 price is significantly lower than a comparative full-frame DSLR price, but still higher than that of a low or mid-end compact camera price.^[8] Compared to the Nikon D800E, the weight of Sony α7R is only about a half and the price is about two-thirds.^[9]

Variations

There are three different models available in the α7 series. They are the α7 II (ILCE-7M2), α7R II (ILCE-7RM2) and α7S II (ILCE-7SM2) in 2016 since the first generation. Although Sony continues to deliver the first generation even after three years after the launch.

The basic α7II model has 24 MP and hybrid autofocus.

According to Sony Esupport response team, Sony didn't release any specific meaning for the letters on Sony Alpha a7 series.^[10]

The second generation common ground is the newer and improved body design as well as the world's first five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization system for a full-frame ILC Sony claimed that this can compensate a 4.5-stop equivalent of camera shake. In-body stabilization requires no special lens features, and mirrorless system cameras can typically accommodate lenses from any SLR system.^[11][12] As an upgrade of the α7, the α7 II has the same 50 Mbit XAVC-S codec as the α7S but lacks 4K video, and the five-axis stabilization is less effective in video mode than that used in the Olympus OM-D E-M1.^[13] However, the crop mode used in the α7 II does not incur "very much loss in image quality", unlike that of the Nikon D750.^[13]

On 2015-06-14, Hasselblad announced the Lusso, a variant of the Sony α7R marketed by Hasselblad.

Model differences

Model	α7	α7R	α7S	α7 II	α7R II	α7S II
Product standing	Balanced	High Resolution	High Sensitivity	Balanced Mark II	High Resolution Mark II	High Sensitivity Mark II
Sensor resolution	24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS 6,000×4,000 pixels (35.80 mm×23.90 mm)	36.4 Mpx Exmor CMOS 7,360×4,912 pixels (35.90 mm×24.00 mm)	12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS 4,240×2,832 pixels (35.80 mm×23.90 mm)	24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS 6,000×4,000 pixels (35.80 mm×23.90 mm)	42.4 Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS 7,952×5,304 pixels (35.90 mm×24.00 mm)	12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS 4,240×2,832 pixels (35.80 mm×23.90 mm)
ISO range	Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200	Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200	Native ISO 100 - 102400 Expanded ISO 50 - 409600	Expanded ISO 50 - 25600 Multi frame NR 100 - 51200	Native ISO 100 - 12800 Expanded ISO 50 - 102400	Native ISO 100 - 102400 Expanded ISO 50 - 409600
Autofocus	25 point contrast-detection w/ 117 points phase-detection	25 point contrast-detection	25 point contrast-detection	25 point contrast-detection w/ 117 points phase-detection	25 point contrast-detection w/ 399 points phase-detection	169 point contrast-detection
Maximum flash sync speed	1/250	1/160	1/250	1/250	1/250	1/250
Max Continuous Shooting	5 frame/s	4 frame/s	5 frame/s	5 frame/s	5 frame/s	5 frame/s
In-body image stabilization	No			5-axis
Flash Exposure Lock	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Electronic shutter mode	First-curtain only	No	First-curtain and Silent shutter	First-curtain only	First-curtain and Silent shutter	First-curtain and Silent shutter
Gapless on-chip lens	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Live-view Tethered Capture	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes[14]
Custom minimum shutter speed at Auto ISO	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Flexible Spot with Lock on AF	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Continuous Eye-AF	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
AF Sensitivity	0 ~ 20 EV	0 ~ 20 EV	-4 ~ 20 EV	-1 ~ 20 EV	-2 ~ 20 EV	-4 ~ 20 EV
Metering Sensitivity	0 ~ 20 EV	0 ~ 20 EV	-3 ~ 20 EV	-1 ~ 20 EV	-3 ~ 20 EV	-3 ~ 20 EV
User Custom Buttons	3	3	3	4	4	4[15]
LCD Resolution	921.6 K	921.6 K	921.6 K	1,230 K		1,228.8 K
Viewfinder Magnification	0.71×				0.78×
Video record format	MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s) 1080p		MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (50 Mbit/s) 1080p		MPEG-4, AVCHD (28 Mbit/s), XAVC S (100 Mbit/s) 4K video
Video sampling	Line skipping	Line skipping	Full-pixel readout	Line skipping	Pixel-binning at Full Format Full-pixel readout at Super 35	Full-pixel readout[16]
Slow motion video record	No	No	Yes (720p, 120fps)	No	Yes (720p, 120fps)	Yes (1080p, 120fps)
HDMI Output	4K still and 1080p video	4K still and 1080p video	4K still and 4K video	4K still and 1080p video	8K still and 4K video	4K still and 4K video
Video Light mode	No	No	Yes	No	Yes
Professional Video edit	No	No	Picture Profile w/CineGamma, Timecode, Userbit
Body material	Combi. of magnesium alloy and polycarbonate	Full magnesium alloy chassis and polycarb bayonet mount.	Full magnesium alloy chassis and stainless steel bayonet mount.
Other features	Hybrid autofocus system	No optical Low-pass filter	Full-pixel readout video at Full Format	Hybrid autofocus system	Hybrid autofocus system, No optical Low-pass filter	Full-pixel readout video at Full Format
Phase-detection AF on non-native lenses	Only A-mount lenses with LA-EA2 and LA-EA4			Yes (Firmware update)	Yes	No[17]
Operate while USB charging	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Battery-life (CIPA standards)	340 shots	340 shots	380 shots	350 shots	340 shots	370 shots
Weight	416 g	407 g	446 g	556 g	582 g	584 g
Dimension	127×94×48 mm			127×96×60 mm		126.9x95.7x60.3 mm
Announced	October 16th, 2013		April 6th, 2014	November 20th, 2014	June 10th, 2015	September 11th, 2015

Features (universal for α7-series)

• Exmor CMOS full-frame sensor (with different megapixels depending on camera version)
• TruBlack XtraFine LCD screen (3"/7,5 cm) with tilt functionality.
• 1.3 cm (0.5inch) electronic viewfinder.
• 1200-zone evaluative light metering.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.
• LED-auto focus illuminator.
• Multi Interface Shoe.
• 9 customizable buttons and 45 assignable functions.

Reception

The cameras received a positive reception from critics. DxOMark crowned the α7R as the highest ranking full-frame mirrorless camera, with a score of 95 (the same score as the Nikon D800, but one point behind the Nikon D800E).^[18] The α7 achieved a score of 90, higher than the Nikon Df and Nikon D4 professional DSLR cameras, as well as the Sony SLT-A99.^[19] The Verge rated the cameras 8.3 out of 10, commenting that "It might be a few years before we realize it, but when the DSLR is relegated to a niche status among specialty photographers and full-frame mirrorless cameras dominate the market, we'll have the α7S to thank as the cameras that started it all."^[20] EPhotozine which rated the α7 5 stars, meanwhile praised the α7 series' price point for making them "the cheapest full-frame digital cameras currently available" while being lighter and smaller than comparable cameras.^[21] It awarded the α7 "Camera of the Year."^[22] The α7R was awarded by Imaging Resource as the "Camera of the Year".^[23]

References

1. Jeff Keller (February 2014). "Sony α7R Review: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
2. Sony announces α7 and α7R: first full-frame mirrorless cameras: Digital Photography Review. Dpreview.com. Retrieved on 2013-10-30.
3. Sony Global - Sony Global - Digital Imaging - α7. Sony.net (2013-10-16). Retrieved on 2013-10-30.
4. "Your α7 and α7R Questions Answered". blog.sony.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
5. DL Cade (October 3, 2013). "Sony NEX Full-Frame Rumor Roundup". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
6. "2013 High-End Mirrorless Camera Comparison Guide". November 23, 2013.
7. "Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 specifications". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
8. "Mirrorless cameras offer glimmer of hope to makers". Retrieved 2013-12-31.
9. "Sony Alpha α7R verdict". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
10. "Sony eSupport - Electronics". Sony eSupport.
11. William Browley. "Sony α7 II Review". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
12. "The New Sony α7 Mark II". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
13. Andrew Reid. "Sony α7 II review – 5 axis stabilization in video mode". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
14. "Supported Sony cameras for Capture One (for Sony)". Phase One. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
15. "First Impressions of the New Sony a7SII | Fstoppers". Fstoppers. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
16. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/sony-a7s-ii/sony-a7s-iiA.HTM
17. "Sony A7S II Review: Now Shooting!". Imaging Resource. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
18. Sony Alpha 7R review: Highest ever full-frame image quality? - DxOMark By Kevin Carter - Thursday October 31, 2013
19. "Camera Sensor Ratings by DxOMark". Retrieved 2013-12-22.
20. Sony Alpha α7 and α7R review, The Verge, By Dan Seifert on December 16, 2013
21. Sony Alpha 7 ILCE-7 Full Review ePHOTOzine 3 Dec 2013 by Joshua Waller
22. ePHOTOzine's Best Cameras Of The Year Awards 2013 Posted: 6 Dec 2013 by ePHOTOzine
23. Top 13 for 2013: The Best Cameras, Lenses and Technologies of the Year by Dave Etchells, Imaging Resource posted December 11, 2013