Sony A7S II M2 VS A7R II M2 4K Video Test (S-log 3 VS S-log 2)

Due to the YouTube compression. Here is the 1.17min uncompressed video attached below :)

Sony A7SII VS A7RII
This is the Sony A7S Mark II VS A7R Mark II comparison video. Both cameras were shot in 4K with S-log 2 and 3 picture profile. The reason why was testing these two cameras, because I been getting a lot of questions “Which one should I buy? The high MegaPixels A7RII or the Low light king A7SII?” It depends what you really do, if you do 80% photography and 20% video shooting. Then A7RII is the perfect choice. But if you do video more than photo. Then A7SII is definitely the way to go. So what is the different between these two cameras? The A7RII has a great new 42MegaPixel full frame sensor, it is great for photography. But when it comes to the video side, I would say the A7RII is a Super 35mm camera. Because in crop mode, the camera has the full pixel read out from the sensor. It means you get a lot sharper image and much better low light performance. So is the A7SII exactly the same when shooting video? No!! The A7SII is slightly different, the camera only comes with 12 Megapixel sensor. And the resolution of the 4K video is = 8 MegaPixel. Crop mode is roughly 5.1 MegaPixels. So in theory, shooting in crop mode means you are upscaling the pixel. So A7SII must not be shot in crop mode. But don’t worry too much, Sony has blocked the crop mode when shooting 4K video. So people won’t get confused. So in the test result, you can see both cameras have stunning 4K video quality. But the A7SII has slightly better dynamic range. Thanks to the S-log 3 picture profile. You get much better detail of seeing the highlight and shadow. So which one do you think the best?

A7SII VS A7RII Pros and Cons list

A7SII Pros
Best in lowlight
S-Log 3 Picture Profile

Cons
Only 12 MegaPixels
Same old sensor from the original A7S
Slow Auto focus when using Canon lens

A7RII Pros
42 MegaPixels
S-Log 2 starting from ISO 800 (A7SII 1600)
Super fast Auto Focus (Even with Canon lens)

Cons
it is a APS-C camera when it comes to video
Only 4K has decent lowlight perfomance, but when shooting in 1080p. The camera looks really bad around 3200 ISO
Overheats

Thanks for watching, please subscribe for more video ^.^
DSI Pictures Entertainment 2015
Filmed and edited by Steve Chan

Coming up: On top of Melbourne (RX100 IV)

[AustinW_]

The A7rii is so much sharper, especially in the edges, look at the corners on each comparison. Sad it isn't as good in low light but I would never go up to or past 10k ISO. Would rather use a fast lens and low ISO to get less noise.

[yovmir]

The music for a very hard decision. ^^

[GregAllen]

Thank you for doing this comparison. From what I can tell it seems as though the RII provides better detail in decently lit scenes but the SII is able to resolve more detail in the shadows... If I had to chose one based on just this comparison I would pick the RII for it's higher detailed images. Although doesn't the SII offer more video options than the RII?

Cheers,
Greg

[iviaverick]

Both have surprisingly similar image mp stills as opposed to the 2quality, close enough to not decide based on that alone. I actually be tempted to go with the a7rII simply for the potential of 42mp as opposed to 12mp for the a7sII.

[flyingstudiosberlin]

Amazing comparison! Love the looks of all your videos. How does the normal A72 compare to these two?

[winstonnugara]

Great and even comparison between the two but for a better noise comparison you need faster lenses (f1.2-f1.4 Canon primes), wide, or nearly wide open, at night. The amount of extra noise I have experienced on even f2.8 Canon L glass when compared to using a faster lens like the 50mm L f1.2 is massive! Try it and you'll see :)

[TropiKen]

Even though the A7sII image is better (1:22), I'm shocked to see so much noise at ISO 6400 in both. Do you think that there is something unique about this shot that would exaggerate it? I've already sold my A7s in anticipation of upgrading to the A7sII, but your great test shots have me worried, as I shoot mostly in marginally lit events. Meanwhile, I'm back to using the GH4 @ ISO 1600-3200. Thanks for your terrific videos!

[damaster]

Hmm for some reason the A7rII looks more cinematic. It has more sharpness, @2:57

[besogociridze]

THENX great video, can you show us both full frame mode?

[VALUAVITALY]

Great review and beautiful music!
Please, tell me who is the author of this cool music?

[sentenza]

Would be nice to see a comparison A7SII/A7RII to Arri Alexa XT :-)

[Jauhar]

A7SII is flatter, less noisy period. A7RII has more color depth and noise full stop.

[muhammedyazar]

a7r m2 is sharper than a7s m2 but a7s m2s dynamic range is better...

[yovmir]

R for Documentary and S for Cinematic. GO A7III for ALL !

[d.s]

How does the sony a7sii with canon 24-70mm 2.8 perform on autofocus? I seem to be having issues with mine focusing at all, might be the adapter i've got... Want to double check it works well with metabones before i commit to purchasing

[binhtran]

the light effects from 1:55 are so amazing, do you know what E-mount lens of sony and carl zeiss could do the same things? thanks

[lostspace]

Damn did you make sure settings were matched

[MrSlitskirts]

Hi, for me the A7R2 seemed to have a nicer cinematic slightly more saturated look the grass was greener, etc), with a touch more contrast in say the rocks. But I noticed though that the A7R2 achieved this only in Super 35mm mode, whereas the A7S2 did in full frame. I guess whether you want to shoot primarily video in full frame which may impact on how close you need to be / how much you can fit into the frame, compared to the A7R2's cropped Super 35mm. In another review comparison it was stated that the A7R2 was a bit better at being an all rounder, if you shot 50 % stills/50 % video, (or similar), due to it's backlight CMOS Sensor and more megapixels, which seems to come across in your comparisons, whereas the A7S2 offers full frame capability and S Log 3 which still may still tip it. If only they could combine the two! Kind regards.

[ryuusagi]

Can you guys tell me what music you used????
sounds epic xD. Thanks =3

[robsonpl]

@2:55 is IS on and makes footage jello ? Can it be turned off?