The Sony A7SII - Is it Still a Good Camera in 2020?

[@EelcoRomeijn]

Low noise is not only about shooting in the dark. It also gives you the opportunity to use higher apertures (more dof), shorter shutterspeeds (less motion blurr) or slower lenses (cheaper) in difficult light situations. 12mp photos from this sensor are totally clean zoomed at 100%, while the same images from a 20mp Canon are grainy asf. Resolution is not the only parameter defining IQ.

[@PavSZ]

Great video dude! I'm a a7sII user and I'm not planning switching to anything else for video in 2020. Great camera. I have few comments about your comments ;) I can go 3 days filming all day every day with just a one battery with my a7sII!!! I just use USB power bank (approx. $25 from amazon) with a power adaptor and dumb battery. Simple and cheap solution to the battery problem. Also I totally disagree with your comments about photography side of this camera. 12MPs only makes the photos smaller, not lower quality. Yes, it's not 24MPs of a7III but 12MPs will still print A4+ easily (I have managed to print them at A3 recently) and the a7sII has got all the pro-camera's functions for photography. I do loads of photos with it and have been testing Sony lenses from the photography point of view on it on my YT channel. Last thing ... it's not the best camera for a first mirrorless or a second camera as a7III new is actually still cheaper than new a7sII.

[@GearFocus]

Hey Pav! Thanks for the reply!! It's definitely a great camera still! The battery life was referring to the stock batteries that just plug into the camera body normally. I have a dummy battery setup on my BMPCC6K thats very similar to what you are describing. I'm sure that definitely helps when you have a cage and what not. I've also taken some great photos with this and had them printed out to a size of 20x30in and they look great from a distance but not so hot when I get close. But, nonetheless, they still made it onto the wall ;) Yea, when you look at the new prices side by side, its still more expensive than the a7iii, however if you look at the used market it goes for about $1,000 depending on the seller. Thats a great starting point if you ask me!! Thanks for reaching out!! I really enjoy talking to people about their gear and this was quite enjoyable! Thanks again and stay tuned!! - Dan

[@soc9894]

Excuse me! how does the AF work on the new firmware (3.01)?

[@AllgoodthingsTv]

Good review. My biggest gripe with the Sony a7s ii is the color straight out of the camera. This camera came before Sony finally got their acts together with color science and flesh tones really do look green and pretty bad compared to a Canon 5D Mark III of IV. Nowadays, I don't think the complaint about color is valid against Sony. It's pretty darn good.

[@Loko-kk7tl]

Seems like most other people already made similar comments but also being a A7SII user since it came out I restored to taking stills out of the 4k footage and they are about 24mp so there's that? That's pretty good if I say so myself. So yes, I'd still get one even in 2021.

[@Pharesm]

I can answer that: If it was a good camera in 2015, its still a good camera now, because the earth and the sun and the moon have not changed. Their light is still the same. So, as long as you didn't drop the thing too many times . . . it'll still make great camp fire pictures with its 12MP :) Maybe a seriously low light capable drone could tempt me?

[@Aidanhackwell]

Wow, very surprised this channel have like 100k subs. You're guaranteed to make it there with this detailed content!

[@GearFocus]

Thanks very much for your kind words. We are working hard to get there and bring our community the best solution for buying and selling camera gear, to help FEED YOUR PASSION! Thanks again.

[@creativevisiongaming]

I'm someone that owns a 5D classic and for me 12 MP is fine even for weddings. I used on a 12 mp Canon 5D for my first year.

[@CandorFilmsllc]

I just bought one my second camera, I would alway rent that camera out but now I got my own.

[@GearFocus]

They are great cameras to own!

[@unbroken1010]

I know this camera gets a lot of hate for still photos but 12 megapixels is plenty you should be able to get clean pictures out of it I've got some beautiful beautiful stuff with a Ricoh GR

[@GearFocus]

Some of my favorite photos, several of which are hanging in my house, were taken with the A7SII. Its a fantastic camera.

[@AugmentedGravity]

I would love this as a second camera for those few low light situations.

[@GearFocus]

Definitely where this camera excels!

[@psxdadz]

Would you say this camera is irrelevant with the A73 being so good in low light and for pictures

[@GearFocus]

The A7sii is significantly better in low light than the A7III. In my experience, the A7Sii just looks better in low light. The A7III does have some benefits though. Higher resolution photos is one of those things.

[@Ghvxddf]

I'm torn between this and the A7III, as I know the A7III has better autofocus, colour science, battery and 4k without the crop.

[@GearFocus]

It's really all dependent on what you need and what your budget allows. There is no 4K crop on the A7sii. There is a crop at 120fps though, which the A7iii does not have. The color science is essentially the same, plus it's pretty easy to get the picture profiles set up.

[@zacharybohlman4069]

Cool, I might be interested in picking one up but now that the A7S 3 is out it seems this camera has disappeared

[@GearFocus]

Not at all. In fact more great used ones are showing up since the A7S III was released. They are a few available here: www.gearfocus.com/digital-cameras/mirrorless-system-cameras/sony-a7s-ii/

[@Moses_Kanneh]

Would like to add autofocus response time and drive speed in the Fn or custom button.

[@mediafoundry6496]

You need to brush up on your photo knowledge. Comparing a 12MP full frame to a 12MP iPhone? Are you OK? Did you consider the bit depth and color science of a Sony? Do you have any idea the amazing images that you get of this camera? Cool review on the video side of things. But I think you missed the shot on the photo review.

[@khalil7011]

Hey I'm a beginner so what he said really confused me. Is 12 MP still good enough to take camera-worthy pictures? My phone camera is also 12 MP but it doesn't look anywhere near the same so I'm sure there's more to it.

[@airavearentertainment9186]

Great review! Thank you for all the info!

[@GearFocus]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jowhr99]

Is it good for jewelry filming? (in 2020/2021 1080p)

[@ByeLevi]

Great video! Very informative... I did not know the A7II has such bad battery life... I guess I have to wait a couple of months for the Sony A7siii! Currently I'm working with the Canon 650D (t4i)... So I do really need an upgrade! Subscribed! :)

[@GearFocus]

Thanks! You should check out some of the listings on Gear Focus as there are a number of great cameras including a Sony A7III which is a great option and upgrade from your Canon 650D. www.gearfocus.com/used-sony-alpha-a7-iii-mirrorless-digital-camera-ilce7m3-new-charger-and-battery.html

[@Meoooowww-q9f]

A7sii or A6400 for photos only

[@Petramojomusic]

Thank you!I am planning to buy it for live stream.What hdmi and power supply longer cables you recommend so I can place camera furher from elgato and computer?If you could tell us also if you know of there is good elgato substitute since not available now?😊

[@GearFocus]

We've had really good experiences with OBS Studio for live streaming! As far as cables go, we have no brand preference. They are all pretty much the same.

[@gambeats1]

Matt,this is way cool!

[@siamakashrafpour8664]

Hi Thanks a lot for this video.I have some problems with this camera in Auto focus mode that has delay in transferring between far and close subjects.I have a A6500 and I think it's better in auto focus and with Sony 50mm f1.8 lens, it's hard to work with A7s2 because auto focus has more delay in focus.Is there any solution for this problem or not? Appreciate you.

[@GearFocus]

The AF system in these cameras is pretty old. It’s not nearly as good as the a6000 series or an A7iii. Unfortunately there’s no way around that

[@xpetrusx]

does the a7sii autofocus better with a g lens like 20mm 1.8 g or with a g master lens like 24mm 1.4 gm lens for video?.

[@GearFocus]

Native glass will almost always work better. It should be noted though that the AF system in the A7Sii is not the same as the A7iii, A7RIV, A7Siii, etc.

[@Ghtyvb6654]

It was sooo helpful to me and hilarious to watch the video dude.

[@GearFocus]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@arielrodriguez2449]

a videographer is selling me a a7s2 for 1.2k$ is it worth it?

[@laurenternstlouissaint7566]

That f**kn rec button

[@alexantonyp.g5125]

Which lens you used for gymbal use..??Af or Mf

[@GearFocus]

I've used a bunch of different lenses in the past, its really dependent on what you're shooting. But, typically, Samyang 14mm F/2.8 manual lens for Landscapes and Real Estate, 28mm F/2.0 for anything with people in it.

[@ThomasAdk]

You forgot the annoying green tint... Other than that, I love my A7sii..

[@GearFocus]

Once I got the custom color profile set, it was totally fine.

[@tornoofo17]

In the color temp you can just bump it toward the magenta side. Non issue.

[@alexantonyp.g5125]

@@GearFocus please mention that settings.,Thank you

[@GearFocus]

@@alexantonyp.g5125 Stay tuned. We will be doing a whole video on Sony settings!

[@fastfilmmedia3450]

What about AF ? Is it as bad as people say ?

[@GearFocus]

It depends on what you are using it for. unless I'm filming myself, I pretty much always manual focus. It doesn't matter which system it is, AF is always less reliable than MF. With that being said, the AF on the A7sii is really not horrible. There are better systems out there for sure, even the new Sony AF system, but for most of what i used it for, it was totally fine.

[@fastfilmmedia3450]

@@GearFocus thanks :)

[@AugmentedGravity]

Ehm also, smartphones have had 12mp camera's as standard for a looong time now and a ton have much higher MP counts as well. The thing is that it basically doesn't matter as the image sensor is still a phone sized image sensor, which means the quality won't be nearly as good as what you'd get out of the A7SII for example.

[@GearFocus]

Correct! This camera absolutely excels in low light situations. Its a great camera for wedding video! And to your note about photos, yes. Absolutely. I (Dan) have a bunch of pictures hanging up around my house that I took with the A7sii. They are blown up to 20x30 size. I also have Iphone pics blown up to that size and the images are not even close to comparable.

[@leonhunter1839]

Subscribed

[@ivankursacts]

Thank you! I'd like to shoot videos on half-professional level (for begging) and I guess this is a good one, maybe the best for start) Thank You!

[@GearFocus]

It is a fantastic camera, especially if you need to learn camera basics. I (Dan) started my video business with this camera!

[@erenjaeger1234]

@@GearFocus i bought this camera for the wedding videography too. I really liked the overall specs except the battery life and the record button.

[@GearFocus]

@@erenjaeger1234 yea the battery life is not ideal

[@proteus1]

I will stay with my Panasonic S1 which takes fantastic video. You must realise sony do things so that you have to buy more cameras as they place buttons on purpose for this reason. It's called built in obsolesence...

[@4FIVEHD]

nice vid let collab

[@ConnorMalanos]

Feedback: music too loud compared to speaking volume. Good in topics, cutaways, examples, spoken presentation

[@geonerd]

"Possibly still a good camera." WTF? Of course it's a 'good camera' you dolts.

[@rainman7992]

I dunno, he looks like he could benefit from having a heavier camera, you know, to beef up those guns of his ...

[@hufman9807]

I wouldn't use the A7sii if I needed a piss pot.

[@Filmworks-uh6bw]

for sure! I also wouldn't get a bicycle if I needed a piss pot.

[@MemelordSupreme]

So what is your proffered gear then?