Sony α7

The Sony α7, α7R and α7S (the α is sometimes spelled out as Alpha) are three closely related full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens 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.

For the similarly named Sony APS-C format camera, see Sony NEX-7.
Sony α7
Overview
TypeFull-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
Lens
LensSony E-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor35.8×23.9 mm Exmor full-frame HD CMOS Sensor
Maximum resolution6000×4000 (3:2) (24 megapixels)[1]
ASA/ISO rangeAuto, 100-25600
StorageMemory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC (α7R IV supports only SD family)
Focusing
Focus modesContrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View
Exposure/metering
Exposure meteringMulti-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Shutter
ShutterElectronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range1/8000 - 30 sec, BULB
Continuous shooting5 frame/s
Viewfinder
ViewfinderBuilt-in 2.4 million dots OLED Electronic viewfinder
General
Rear LCD monitor3.0 in (76 mm) Tilting XtraFine LCD, 921,600 pixels
BatteryNP-FW50, InfoLITHIUM, 7.2 V, 1080 mAh, 7.7 Wh, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions127×94×48 mm
WeightApprox. 474 g (16.7 oz) (camera body, card and battery)
Sony A7 Rear

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 has a DSLR-shaped design, α7 cameras are smaller and weigh 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

In 2014/2015, three new models became available forming the second generation of α7 series. They are the α7 II (ILCE-7M2), α7R II (ILCE-7RM2) and α7S II (ILCE-7SM2). Sony continues to produce the first generation models α7 and α7S, even three years after the launch, only the α7R has been discontinued in April 2019.

The basic α7 II model has 24 MP and hybrid autofocus.

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 claims 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.[10][11] 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.[12] However, the crop mode used in the α7 II does not incur "very much loss in image quality", unlike that of the Nikon D750.[12]

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

The third generation started in 2017, and the fourth was announced in July 2019.

Model differences
See also: Sony α7 II, Sony α7R II, Sony α7S II, Sony α7R III, Sony α7 III, and Sony α7R IV
Modelα7α7Rα7Sα7 IIα7R IIα7S IIα7R IIIα7 IIIα7R IV
Product standing BalancedHigh ResolutionHigh SensitivityBalanced Mark IIHigh Resolution Mark IIHigh Sensitivity Mark IIHigh Resolution Mark IIIBalanced Mark IIIHigh Resolution Mark IV
Sensor resolution at Full Format 24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS
6000×4000 pixels		36.4 Mpx Exmor CMOS
7360×4912 pixels		12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS
4240×2832 pixels		24.3 Mpx Exmor CMOS
6,000×4,000 pixels		42.4 Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS[13]
7952×5,304 pixels		12.2 Mpx Exmor CMOS
4,240×2,832 pixels		42.4 Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS[14]
7952×5304 pixels		24.2MP Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[15]
6000 x 4000 pixels		61.0 MP Mpx Exmor R BSI-CMOS sensor[16]
9504 x 6336 pixels
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 - 25600
Expanded ISO 50 - 102400		Native ISO 100 - 102400
Expanded ISO 50 - 409600		Native ISO 100 - 32000
Expanded ISO 50 - 102400[17]		Native ISO 100-51200
Expanded ISO 50 to 204800 [18]		Native ISO 100–32000
Expanded ISO 50–102800[16]
Autofocus 25 point CD-AF
w/ 117 points PD-AF		25 point CD-AF25 point CD-AF25 point CD-AF
w/ 117 points PD-AF		25 point CD-AF
w/ 399 PD-AF		169 point CD-AF425 point CD-AF
w/ 399 points PD-AF[17]		425 point CD-AF
w/ 693 points PD-AF[18]		425 point CD-AF
w/ 567 points PD-AF[16]
Maximum flash sync speed 1/2501/1601/2501/2501/2501/2501/2501/2501/250
Max Continuous Shooting 5 frame/s4 frame/s5 frame/s5 frame/s5 frame/s5 frame/s10 frame/s[17]10 frame/s[18]10 frame/s[16]
In-body image stabilization No5-axis
Flash Exposure Lock NoNoYesYesYesYesYesYes
Electronic shutter mode First-curtain onlyNoFirst-curtain and
Silent shutter		First-curtain onlyFirst-curtain and
Silent shutter		First-curtain and
Silent shutter		First-curtain and
Silent shutter		First-curtain and
Silent shutter		First-curtain and
Silent shutter
Gapless on-chip lens NoYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYes
Live-view Tethered Capture NoNoYesYesYesYes[19]YesYesYes (wired and wireless)[16]
Custom minimum
shutter speed at Auto ISO		 NoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes
Flexible Spot with Lock on AF NoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes
Continuous Eye-AF NoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYes
AF Sensitivity 0 ~ 20 EV0 ~ 20 EV-4 ~ 20 EV-1 ~ 20 EV-2 ~ 20 EV-4 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV[17]-3 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV[20]
Metering Sensitivity 0 ~ 20 EV0 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV-1 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV-3 ~ 20 EV[20]
User Custom Buttons 333444[21]4 4 dedicated (10 customizable)[22]
Monitor pixels 921.6 K1,228.8 K[23]1,444K[17]921.6 K[18]1,444K [24]
Viewfinder pixels 2.4 M3.7 M2.4 M5.76 M
Viewfinder Resolution XGA

(1024x768 pixels)

 XGA

(1024x768 pixels)

 XGA

(1024x768 pixels)

 XGA

(1024x768 pixels)

 XGA

(1024x768 pixels)[25]

 XGA

(1024x768 pixels)[26]

 Quad-VGA

(1280x960 pixels)[27]

 XGA

(1024X768 pixels)[28]

 UXGA

(1600x1200 pixels)[20]

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 skippingLine skippingFull-pixel readoutLine skippingPixel-binning at Full Format
Full-pixel readout at Super 35		Full-pixel readout[29]
Slow motion video record NoNoYes (720p, 120fps)NoYes (720p, 120fps)Yes (1080p, 120fps)Yes (1080p, 120fps)Yes (1080p, 120fps)Yes (1080p, 120fps)
HDMI Output 4K still and 1080p video4K still and 1080p video4K still and 4K video4K still and 1080p video8K still and 4K video4K still and 4K video8K still and 4K video8K still and 4K video8K still and 4K video[20]
Video Light mode NoNoYesNoYes
Professional Video edit NoNoPicture Profile w/CineGamma,
Timecode, Userbit[30]
Other features Hybrid autofocus systemNo optical Low-pass filterFull-pixel readout video
at Full Format		Hybrid autofocus systemHybrid autofocus system,
No optical Low-pass filter		Full-pixel readout video
at Full Format
PD-AF w/ adapted lens Only A-mount lenses w/ LA-EA2 and LA-EA4Yes (Firmware update)YesOnly w/ LA-EA2/4[31]YesYesYes
Operate while USB charging NoNoNoNoYesYesYes w/ Tethering
Battery-life
(CIPA standards)		 340 shots340 shots380 shots350 shots340 shots370 shots530 shots (EVF) / 650 shots (Monitor)[17]610 shots (EVF) / 710 shots (Monitor)[18]530 shots (EVF) / 670 shots (Monitor)[16]
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.
Weight 416 g407 g446 g556 g582 g584 g657g650g[18]665 g[16]
Dimension 127×94×48 mm126.9x95.7x60.3 mm126.9x95.6x73.7 mm[18]
Announced 16 Oct 20136 Apr 201420 Nov 201410 June 201511 Sept 201525 Oct 201726 Feb 201816 Jul 2019
Discontinued Dec 2019[32]

Features (universal for α7-series)
  • Exmor CMOS full-frame sensor (with different megapixels depending on camera version)
  • TruBlack XtraFine LCD screen (3 inch/7.5 cm) with tilt functionality
  • 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) electronic viewfinder
  • 1200-zone evaluative light metering
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
  • LED-auto focus illuminator
  • Multi Interface Shoe (α7R IV adds digital audio interface)
  • 9+1 customizable buttons (10+1 starting with second generation) / 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).[33] 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.[34] 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 α7's to thank as the cameras that started it all."[35] 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.[36] It awarded the α7 "Camera of the Year."[37] The α7R was awarded by Imaging Resource as the "Camera of the Year".[38]

See also

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. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. 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. William Browley. "Sony α7 II Review". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  11. "The New Sony α7 Mark II". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  12. Andrew Reid. "Sony α7 II review – 5 axis stabilization in video mode". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  13. Zimmerman, Steven (12 October 2016). "Sony IMX378: Comprehensive Breakdown of the Google Pixel's Sensor and its Features". XDA Developers. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  14. "Sony α7R III 35mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony.
  15. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony.
  16. "Sony introduces the a7R IV with 61 Megapixel full-frame sensor". Digital Photography Review. July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  17. "Sony α7R III 35mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony.
  18. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony.
  19. "Supported Sony cameras for Capture One (for Sony)". Phase One. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  20. "Sony α7R IV 35 mm full-frame camera with 61.0 MP". Sony. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  21. "First Impressions of the New Sony a7SII | Fstoppers". Fstoppers. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  22. "Sony α7R IV Online Help Guide - Assigning frequently used functions to buttons". Sony. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  23. "ILCE-7RM2 Specifications". Sony.com. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  24. "Sony a7R IV: Digital Photography Review". Digital Photography Review. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  25. "Sony α7R II with back-illuminated full-frame image sensor". Sony. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  26. "Sony α7S II E-mount Camera with Full-Frame Sensor". Sony. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  27. "Sony α7R III 35 mm full-frame camera with autofocus". Sony. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  28. "Sony α7 III with 35-mm full-frame image sensor". Sony. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  29. "Sony A7S II Review". Imaging Resource.
  30. "ILCE-7SM2 Specifications". sony.com. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  31. "Compatibility Information - ILCE-7SM2". support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  32. "The day has come: Sony A7 marked as discontinued at BHphoto and Adorama!". sonyalpharumors. 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  33. Sony Alpha 7R review: Highest ever full-frame image quality? - DxOMark By Kevin Carter - Thursday October 31, 2013
  34. "Camera Sensor Ratings by DxOMark". Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  35. Sony Alpha α7 and α7R review, The Verge, By Dan Seifert on December 16, 2013
  36. Sony Alpha 7 ILCE-7 Full Review ePHOTOzine 3 Dec 2013 by Joshua Waller
  37. ePHOTOzine's Best Cameras Of The Year Awards 2013 Posted: 6 Dec 2013 by ePHOTOzine
  38. Top 13 for 2013: The Best Cameras, Lenses and Technologies of the Year by Dave Etchells, Imaging Resource posted December 11, 2013
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