Is the Sony a7S II Still Good in 2023?

[@adwentyscigrodziskmazowiec5724]

Raise your hand if you're still filming with the Sony a7S II

[@SHAROWICKFILM]

🙋🙋🙋

[@thegamebard]

I am 😂

[@thorsadolin]

Getting one in 2 days!

[@saulbecerra5830]

@@thorsadolin how is it thinking of getting one but I don’t want to spend a lot 😅

[@frankvehafric5062]

This will shock some people but it's the same camera now that it was then. Now, there may be better cameras out there in 2023, but that doesn't mean the 7SII suddenly became worse. I just bought a super clean, low use, copy for about 600 bucks and I am very happy with it, since the alternative would be to shell out about four grand. I can see why people who make their living from a camera will need newer, more capable gear, but for a hobbyist, this camera is still fun, especially since it's new to me.

[@Supercon57]

The a7sII also has dual native ISO When shooting in S-Log2/S-Log3 the low base is 1600 and the high base 10000 There is a bug though, if you scroll up to 10000 from 8000 it will be maxed out low gain and be super nosey If you scroll up to 12800 it will switch into high gain, then scroll down to 10000 it will be super clean high gain

[@GearFocus]

Very interesting!

[@TechnoBabble]

Do you have any proof for that? I tried to look it up couldn't find any information on a dual native ISO for the A7S II.

[@TechnoBabble]

@@Supercon57 I've got an A7S sitting around so I'll definitely be testing this out. I noticed on the photons to photos charts that with the A7S the dynamic range improves and read noise drops going from ISO 1600 to 2000, but assuming a native ISO of 100 for stills that wouldn't really translate to 3200 and 8000 for SLog in the same way it works on other cameras, unless the native ISO for stills is actually closer to 1250? Which kinda lines up with the weird slope the charts have before it switches to the higher gain circuit. I'm pretty technical, but not that deep into sensor read noise and ADC stuff. So let me know if I'm missing something here.

[@Supercon57]

@@TechnoBabble Unfortunately photons to photos doesn't specify what picture profile was used for their data, I would assume it was in PP off though, although I could be wrong Years ago I tested my camera to see at what point it switched into high gain while in different picture profiles I wrote them down and have them here, I believe these are all for the A7s1, but please note these numbers would all vary based on different alpha models Slog2: 8000 Cine1/Cine2: 1600 Cine3: 2500 Cine4: 3200 800%: 8000 709: 2000 Still/PP Off: 2000

[@hakproductionTV]

Thank you very much for your explanations. I will try your advice. I still have an a7s2 and it's still my main camera along with an a7r2 and a6500. I haven't updated yet. But it's very interesting to discover what you explain about the sony a7s2 and the isos

[@tooeasy8619]

Just left my local camera shop and they have one used for $299 with a 2800 shutter count idk how much that matters with it being a video focused camera. But as a budget photographer, my main and only camera is a a6000 I will be picking up the S2 tomorrow thanks to your video. Thanks 🙏🏿

[@GearFocus]

That's a good deal. And if doesn't work out for your needs you could always sell for what you bought it for, or even more on www.gearfocus.com

[@salami99]

that green grass footage is the best video i have seen in my life wtf great color man 4:17

[@SamWasHere]

I just picked one up for £500. With a £30 cage and SmallRig power bank holder + 10,000mAh power bank + Open Memories unlimited record time hack... and it's an all-day b-cam to my A7S III for weddings and events

[@GearFocus]

That is awesome!

[@AntwonVinnie]

I made my a7sii able to take longer than 30 minutes using the openmemories tweak application. Super helpful as a musician, and someone who films shows. Ive filmed for an hour and a half straight before.

[@streamiumlive]

Hey thanks so much for making this video. I use a couple of A7S II as my primary cameras, supported by a set of A6300s. I watched videos such as yours, to decide if I should upgrade to the III or later. I've concluded that the gains are diminishing and no way worth the extra (to me anyway). Ok I'd like 10 bit recording if I'm colour grading or keying chroma. I can't stand the menu system in the mark 2, but there's the Fn button which you just configure the options you'd want to change (I don't bother with the memory recall because of this). I did find recording 4K internally popped up the temperature warning after only 8 minutes but it didn't seem to stop. I installed an app called Open Memories Tweak which allows me to bypass the 30 min record limitation and works on most Sony A7 and A6XXX cameras of the era. Power wise, I usually use a dummy battery and genuine Sony NPF 970, or plug in a small USB power pack, but you then seem to need an internal battery with charge. It then seems to use the internal battery and trickle charge it. That way I can get decent endurance, with some redundancy. Your closing comments really resonate with me. I feel the A7S II is still a very worthy contender. It's important to remember that cameras are designed by marketeers and not photographers. They'll often tempt people by new features, but a lot won't solve real problems. They'll only solve the problems the marketeers create and frame in their sales spiel! Thank again and take care.

[@finnharvor6773]

Well put.

[@GearFocus]

So glad you found this video helpful! Creating with what you have available to you is the most important part of the creative adventure!

[@frosti7]

​@@finnharvor6773 same here agree 100% - I can only consider the a7rv as upgrade since I'd like to keep tilt screen. Quality wise, its not a big step-up, main advantage is dual sd-cards & AF ability. A7siii is not an option - because the flip-screen will block your headphone monitor plug (why no-one mention this online?)

[@sdmrecordingstudio1875]

Hi! I still use this camera for music videos and short film projects and I think it's still awesome. Although it doesn't film in 4k60 I use optic flow feature for my slowmo parts, and I'm impressed about its capability and quality. So...still a great choice imho

[@GearFocus]

That is awesome! Keep creating

[@gantz4u]

I came here for the high ISO. Seriously surprised how well this cam held its value, meaning I will be continuing to use my nikon coolpix 995. Im also messing with a Chines R11 night vision monocular and waiting on the TF card in the mail in TOKYO to see how good it is at video recording. First impression is I wasnt suspecting the high ISO function. Just expecting it to be black and white with an IR night vision. But it turns out its got high iso color. The amount of ISO is not reported and I tried to open it mainly to see what camera sensor its using and also to see how hard it would be to remove the fixed 5x lens to a DIY swappable lens or put in a nicer display screen. But they hot soldered the tripod screw in and I got scared even tho i could glue it back in so couldnt get down to the camera sensor. But did see the lens and its removable with a camera lens spanner wrench. Altho. I didnt remove the lens(no wrench). Then held a Macro/wide angle lens (this weird bodega lens that is a wide angle but u remove the wide angle and its hiding a macro) Over the front of the 5X and it wide angled and reduced the 5x zoom strength. The whole R11 is cheaper than a high ISO or IR digital night vision camera sensor you'd use for flying drones at night. But no idea how much ISO it has or what the actual camera sensor is inside and cant find anyone tearing it down. Theres some draw backs. 1. is its fixed 5X. 2. is the view finder eye relief is about 8 or 12 inches on a 1.5 inch viewfinder. 1X the thing would turn it to a daytime/lowlight camcorder, which I think means just removing its fixed 5X but not sure. Why I said daytime and not a 1x night vision camcorder is looking at the IR beam with a phone cam. I think what its doing is zooming in 5x on the dot of IR light it shoots out. 1x it would have a center portion of its picture night visioned. I think. and you'd have to get an external light to flood IR to get it to night vision 1x camcorder.

[@12345678927164]

If I had known about this model I never would’ve bought the A7ii. They are same price. Obvious choice if you’re filming primarily

[@GARDENHOUSEFILMS]

YES! Have had overheating when in full sun in the summer. In fact, it was JUST as a bride was headed up the aisle! Not great timing for it to quit!! Was able to dive for a nearby backup and bride didn't know but that was a moment I am not eager to repeat!!! So now I just keep it in the shade if it is super hot if I have to wait a little while!

[@davep8366]

There is a "hack" for recording limit... And FYI this was not for overheating it was workarounds for import export tariffs...

[@minageorge105]

When pp of what the native Iso in Sony A7s mark 2 ?

[@brizzydanks9083]

had a short film show at music box theatre this year in chicago only used this camera :)

[@stevefrenchtv]

I got the a7sII used recently as i needed a doorway into the full frame game, previously soley used the a6600 which is now my B cam. Been loving it but yea.......the autofocus is slow. Still trying to figure out how to tune the color profiles but getting there! Thanks for the cool deep dive

[@Seeloko]

Do you think a7rii would be better? I wanna get one of but I am not sure, I am a beginner and I wanna use maybe 70-30 (videos-photos).

[@stevefrenchtv]

@@Seeloko personally I haven’t done any research on the “R” series but I’m pretty happy with the a7sII as it’s my first full frame camera which has been a great upgrade to dip my toes and get into more technical shooting. I feel like anything full frame as long as you research it and it fits your needs is good. Just be smart and there’s always good used deals before you dive into new.

[@Seeloko]

@@stevefrenchtv thank you so much, I appreciate you answered.✊🏾

[@stevefrenchtv]

@@Seeloko any time bud :) 🤙🤙🤙

[@S.Creations1]

How do you like it compared to your a7sii and do you use it for photography as well?

[@JohnnyWiseOficial]

What lut do you use, I love the color editing of this video

[@selishots]

For the price I'd 100% go for something like the lumix GH5 instead. You get 10bit, 4k60, and no record limit for a very similar price.

[@GearFocus]

That is a great suggestion!

[@selishots]

@@GearFocus I still can't believe how the a7sii has held its value

[@GearFocus]

Still holds up quite well!

[@baronhead]

Agree 100% of choosing the GH5. Still use it today

[@absp2006]

Maybe the GH5s for the better low light performance?

[@monarquefilms]

Do you know the sweeting’s to best color match a7sii with fx3?

[@jmtphotographymedia]

How would you judge the camera as a photography centric camera? Does the AF and battery hold up for that?

[@andreacorallo]

It's very easy to remove the 30min record limit. I confirm it never overheated for me even with multiple hours of consecutive 4kbrecording.

[@GearFocus]

Thats so awesome it never overheated on you as well!

[@andreacorallo]

@@GearFocus thinking about might be cause doing very long takes (hours) i use a dummy battery. Amazing camera anyway 😍

[@LennertK]

Same here, with the screen flipped out, airplane mode, no stabilisation and a dummy battery I can keep recording in 4K until the card is full (128GB is the max I've used). The body does get hot to the touch, but with this setup I've yet to encounter a temperature warning or shutdown. I now use the A7SII as a locked down cam while using my A7IV on a gimbal during concerts so I rely on it to keep recording while I am often leaving it there for hours

[@LennertK]

I can say that I have had it shutdown due to heat while using it indoors, on a very hot day in direct sunlight through a window, with the screen flat and on the internal battery. This was before I removed the recording limit so within 30 minutes of recording and in the worst conditions as there was zero airflow

[@andreacorallo]

@@LennertK cool! yeah I use two a7sii I use for similar jobs (filming statically at concerts), great machine for that also due to its great low light performance! Difficult to beat for the money on this role

[@nicedward7544]

I've thought about picking one up and i don't even shoot video.... Just figure it would be better than newer offerings for low light photos.

[@lambert2969]

I have never had the over heating issue. Don't mind the menus. The interfacing with the Sony imaging edge software is shockingly bad. NFC never connects Need to re-establish a new connection every time i connect the camera as it never picks up the previous connection. If you flick to another app whilst connected it will drop the connection. ...But it is a great low light camera.

[@louisfouet8830]

With the ilce2 series you have acces to the sony app to use your phone ase an external screen. It kinda laggy but you can get your framing wright and start recording .

[@rowemedia7546]

Were did u buy the window mount?

[@DavinciHD_]

Would an A7sii be a good budget option for sports videography ??

[@davidnorwich3771]

To be clear did the viewfinder also dim when shooting 4k and not just the lcd panel? In my other 4k cameras rx10v and rx100vii both have dimming on the lcd in 4k but the viefinder remains clear.

[@crissmuller_]

Thanks @GearFocus for this video. I’m a music producer and I want to get a camera to film and take photos of artists in the studio, create content for KZbin, and maybe do videos outdoors. Recording studios are usually a little bit dark. My friend is selling me an A7sII in $600, and I can also get an ZV-e10 for $600. Some of my film and photography director friends recommend the A7sII, others the zv-e10 and I don't know what decision to make. I would greatly appreciate your feedback!

[@Chris3460]

Someone just recommended this to me for shooting video for live theater. But the 30 minute video limit is concerning. How hard is it to get around that?

[@GearFocus]

It's a hard limit of the camera. If a scene lasts for more than 30 mins, you will need to do a stop/start to reset the clock. The positive with theater usage, is that those moments are more predictable. There are some aftermarket tweaks to get around that limit, though, if you are open to using them.

[@Chris3460]

@@GearFocus I found the tweaks right after I posted this. I'm a pretty techy guy and not opposed to tweaks. Thanks!

[@GearFocus]

@@Chris3460 You got it!

[@isabelarivera4196]

I got this camera borrow from my uncle he does video all the time but im more of a portrait photographer, would you think I can do a decent job with this one?

[@mihaiserbanescu8676]

Insta360 didn't get the memo about the 30 min recording limit. It also skips a few seconds between the clips.

[@arthurgphotography]

Yes Pentax still makes DSLRs

[@cultivision]

Great video, this camera was my first love and I still use it on a weekly basis even after upgrading to a BMPCC6k :)

[@GearFocus]

Thank you! Both of those cameras are such good workhorses

[@hakproductionTV]

I have the black magic 6k pro in mind. I know someone who uses it and the image quality is excellent. apart from a bad autofocus, it has the quality of shooting in Braw which is interesting for me. With the 6k pro the integrated nd filter is also interesting. I'm full of questions. the fx3 is great but for the price I would also like an nd filter. Only the fx6 has the nd filter but the price is much more expensive. Should I go for a cheaper 6k pro but which has flaws that the fx3 doesn't have? the fx3 which does not have an nd filter but the 6k pro does? What do you think of your black magic after having an a7s2?

[@cultivision]

@@hakproductionTV I still use both cameras depending on the project I am doing. Neither of my cameras have built in NDs but it’s never been a real issue for me, I use a VND filter. They’re not perfect but they get the job done well enough for me. I think you should think about what kind of projects you will be doing and then think about which form factor betters suits those projects. The 6k Pro will most likely be a bulkier rig whereas the FX3/A7siii can be more compact and portable.

[@hakproductionTV]

Currently my a7s2 is on a rig, with a Dtap battery, Atomos Ninja Flame to record in 4:2:2. It's not a problem to use a rig. on the contrary I prefer. What I would like to know is if it is a real advantage to use braw compared to the slog of Sony cameras? on davinci resolve. I already use the Sony A7S2 on a rig to make documentaries, interviews, and handheld filming. an acquaintance of mine uses it on a ronin rs2 to do fashion reports. I don't do run and gun. For run and gun I use my a6500 even if it is outdated. Do you use both cameras in the same project? no colorimetry problem?@@cultivision

[@hakproductionTV]

@@cultivision Currently my a7s2 is on a rig, with a Dtap battery, Atomos Ninja Flame to record in 4:2:2. It's not a problem to use a rig, on the contrary I prefer it. What I would like to know is if it is a real advantage to use braw compared to the slog of last Sony cameras on davinci resolve?. I already use the Sony A7S2 on a rig to make documentaries, interviews, and handheld filming. an acquaintance of mine uses it on a ronin rs2 to do fashion reports. I don't do run and gun. For run and gun I use my a6500 even if it is outdated. Do you use both cameras in the same project? no colorimetry problem?

[@ido_levy]

Found someone selling it used for $480. Doesn't seem too beat up just has 3 busted pixels at the high left corner, from the reference photo they really don't look too bad and I wouldn't have noticed them if he hadn't told me. Really thinking of getting this as my first real camera. 480 seems like a steal for this camera, what'd you guys think?

[@BeFitDietHealth]

Is this camera good for Astrophotography? I know it has a really good quality low light video but what about the low light pictures? Is as good as the videos?

[@og3139]

Pentax still makes dslr, also Canon doesn’t make them but still sell 1DX mkiii, 90D, 5D mkiv, 250D and 6D mkii

[@opticvisuals7951]

autofocus is the worst on this camera. I also experience some noise on my shadows when i shoot in slog 3, any suggestions?

[@PhillipRPeck]

Sold my a7SII on Gear Focus a couple years ago! I loved this camera but man, Sony colors have come a long way!

[@PhillipRPeck]

No mow May!

[@GearFocus]

Thanks for using our platform to sell your gear!

[@MyFriendlyPup]

I was ready. To sell my gh5 And by this Sony, until I saw the review.And now i'm going to keep my gh5

[@thomasfransson]

Isn't Pentax still on the smoke and mirrors train? Great video

[@echoauxgen]

First there are no books on this camera not even about video. This is the best for stills. This camera came out in October 2015 and with IBIS no sticks needed. The unknown for many is on camera apps the best is Digital Filter no need to carry around a bunch of filters, sad as of Sept 30 you can no longer buy and download but if you have already bought apps you can still download them. So if you get one check who the owner was and their sign in info you can still download. This camera broke Canon and Nikon with IBIS for one thing. I got the A7Rii and did bracketed shots 3@+/- 2EV handheld in Antelope Canyon while every one with Canon and Nikons were doing long exposures on sticks. Brian Smith has books on the A7 mode 1 and 2 now in PDF and color images.

[@labdiestro]

jajaja brutal. Por cuanto el corta cesped?

[@ouzijoee]

I got an a7sII and single point autofocus is grayed out in movie mode. How did you manage to activate it?

[@GearFocus]

Go to the autofocus setting to make sure it's turned on and check your lens for autofocus switch.

[@BadGuyImages]

Have had this over heat multiple times on me.. so frustrating..

[@fredriksvard2603]

I'm going aspc, this is one of the reasons

[@masiguru9982]

Nikon makes the D6, a mirrored DSLR.

[@shmuelmaloof4448]

That was a pretty good video.

[@maur.8642]

30 min recording was because a stupid law that if your device records more then is subject to more duty taxes..

[@velvetrooster5569]

I use Samsung NX cameras from 2014 I have several of them as well as several lenses and I think they make the most beautiful photos. I definitely love the Samsung NX1 and the Samsung NX500 because they are without a doubt the two best cameras I have ever used in my entire entire entire life. I just wanna say that the rest of the Samsung NX lineup as well as the Samsung galaxy camera lineup and even the hybrid between the two the Samsung galaxy NX just really fun cameras to play with. I think it was an interesting idea to build a line of consumer all in one pocket cameras that run android with a really nice touchscreen on them and it was really cool to put that idea on an interchangeable lens camera but I also just think that Samsung had a really good idea with the NX Cameras and they figured out how to make the best cam possible with the NX30 and then made it even better with the NX1 and NX500 which still to this day, are the highest megapixel count APSC sensor cameras available were they whopping 28 megapixels

[@moazsayed7246]

me who is happy with "a7s i " watching this heheuhueuh

[@benthystangda5770]

Good morning ❤❤❤

[@TexpatOTG]

It would be an upgrade for me

[@fillman86]

pretty sure canon still makes DSLR mirrored cameras

[@srikanththedesigner1988]

Is it worth to buy this camera for $600 in 2024? on ebay

[@E10MILL]

Did you end up buying? And do you like it?

[@cursedfakenewscfn967]

Nikon still makes one high end dslr i belielve

[@AniketAnikFilms]

Footage still good but focus so poor if you can use on tripod then its ok otherwise big no

[@BurakDogan55]

Is it 8 or 10 bit?

[@GearFocus]

No. It is however Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 instead of 4:2:0.

[@MTKnockOut]

dang. No one mentions This as a B cam for night time. A low price Low light camera. No everyone goes "as a daily this is silly" I just need a camera at night time I dont want to carry lights. I dont even want it now

[@MTKnockOut]

at least you are the one human to mention an external recorder beats a record limit

[@WALKINGPHONE]

Cuestión is stup…. A bad cuestión… I hace a canon T3i and goes really well despite the years … so… same thing with this camera

[@leanryan1767]

can i have tips to have quicker af on this cam. i used sony 50mm and sometime af is kind of slow. and it will lose focus when its locked. i shoot slightly wide using this lens and getting issues blurry clips from af focus

[@WALKINGPHONE]

@@leanryan1767 use a closer aperture to have more depth of field or use wide angle lenses to have what it is called "hyperfocal" which means that after 4 ft everything is in focus... so it doesn't matter if the subject walks forward or backward will always be in focus...and you don't have to be manipulating the focus ring manually or buy a camera with a touchscreen and then the focus will be placed immediately where your finger touches

[@fybrk]

actally canon EF mount started at 1987 and last until 2018 just for comparison to the E mount

[@nicedward7544]

Yup they started ef mount before even having any DSLR's. I remember everyone was pissed that they were stopping the FD mount lol. I still use my EF 200 prime on my sonys that was made in 1989 I believe. It's as AF is ridiculously fast and accurate for a lens that old.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

Ummm Pentax is making dslrs

[@kaczynski2333]

You can confirm no major brand is making a DSLR. *stares in Pentax* Go away