Top 5 Problems / Downsides of the Sony A7s2 - A7sii

Follow on Twitter for the best daily camera deals @MaxCameradeals ⬇️More Info Below⬇️

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shot with:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visit my sites!

The A7s 2 is an awesome new 4k camera from Sony, but its not perfect. These are my top 5 downsides or problems with the A7s2.

-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
PRIVACY POLICY and FULL DISCLOSURE:
°Max Yuryev is a participant in the B&H Photo Video affiliate program that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through our links.
°If you purchase something from our affiliate links will get a small commission with no extra cost to you. This makes it possible for us to make more videos. Thank you!
°We DO NOT collect, store, use, or share any data about you.
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-

[iangrogan]

I don't have the a7s2 or the a7s, but if you're judging exposure off of the screen instead of some type of exposure tool, then you don't know what you're doing (especially if you're shooting a flavor of s-log). USE THAT HISTOGRAM!

[fiskemannen]

I don´t think you´ve done a very good job here, Max. This could have been a great opportunity to highlight issues that Sony could really pick up on for the next gen, issues that irk people who actually use these cameras. Yet it´s mostly the standard very well known issues that are getting fixed or are basically unreasonable, characteristic of people who read more spec sheets rather than actually use the cameras.

Overheating- already fixed through a firmware update..
LCD Screen- If you´re using the LCD to gauge your exposure, you´re doing it wrong, seriously. It´s useful for checking composition and reading info like zebras etc. NOT as a calibrated monitor, no camera has an LCD that can be used as a calibrated monitor. There´s really no need for it to be any better, it relays info and composition perfectly well, there are other issues far more important.
Compression- Is actually pretty amazing for a camera this size. Does anyone honestly expect 4:2:2 internal rec from a camera that can fit in our pocket in 2015?
Lenses- They are releasing FF lenses faster than any other manufacturer. It has easily the most adaptable mount of any camera (e-mount), so you can use virtually anything, vintage, EF, Nikon, whatever..

As I see it, far more pressing issues are:
The custom button choices and menus. We need more functions to be able to be mapped to the custom buttons, because the menus are a poorly designed time sink. Better menus, more custom options.
No Phase detect like the A7rii. This is a horrible oversight in a camera that costs the same as the A7rii. The A7rii has WAY better AF, Eye AF, face detect etc. This is really poor from Sony, and almost means the A7rii is a better camera than the A7sii. It even affects the focus peaking, so the A7rii is just far better at nailing focus.

[ToastedSynapseGaming]

DOF does not get influenced by Sensor size. That is just a misconception because DOF gets influenced only by 3 things - Distance, Aperture, Focal Length. The 4th factor, Sensor, is actually a common misconception because if you think about it, having your subject in focus on a FF 25mm lens at 1 meter away is the same as using a 50mm and you would have to move 2 meters away to keep the framing OR it's the same as using that same 25mm on a 2xCrop sensor and moving 2 meters away again to keep the framing (don't think about the compression of space, we're only interested in DOF). So, in summary, It's not the Sensor size, it's the fact that a 25mm looks like a 50mm on a 2xSensor, which means that 50mm<25mm when it comes to DOF, but it's DIRECTLY compensated by 2meters>1meter for DOF, and in the end they equal out. I would draw a lens diagram, but I can't in the YouTube comments.

[seawildearth]

All points, at least the first three can be overcome by using the Atomos support options, Samurai HD Recorder for external 4K recording at 4:2:2 and the Power Pack for external powering. Samurai HD Recorder also has focus peaking so much easier to nail critical focus. I think the review is cool but this camera caters not just to the consumer who would probably settle for the default restrictions of the camera, and probably not reach them given their potential lack of understanding of filmmaking and their needs from the system. It is also a tool for the professional shooter who normally wouldn't expect to have an all singing, all dancing system straight out of the box. Tech doesn't work that way, it's best exploited when using third party support hardware and peripherals.

[theAndrewkin]

Why do people dislike videos like these? This is a very honest and helpful overview of some the A7s II's weaknesses. This should be overwhelmingly liked! It's like we have to pretend that everything is perfect and that any sign of weakness is completely wrong and the worst thing ever.

Thanks for the honest and helpful video Max! As a soon-to-be A7s II owner, it's good to know what problems to look out for :)

[ericjamesphotography]

I completely agree on the LCD Rez issue. Every time I try to punch in to confirm focus it's very very difficult due to the Rez issue.

[NoRegrets]

I don't know squat about cameras, but you sound like a damn rocket surgeon of photography. Nice details and explanations. 👍🏻 subbed

[HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

still worth getting for filming youtube videos? =)

[JMadlock]

To own an a7sii or even the first a7s is a dream come true . I'm working towards it. :D My nex 5r and a3000 will have to do for now.

[oasean]

Thank you. This video saved me a lot of trouble.

[singhprem]

Thank you so much Max for the video. Yesterday, I was using this camera for a documentary film. While shooting with this camera I was encountering jerks with the tripods. could you please share what is the problem I couldn't figure it out. thank you

[derpanzerkommandant]

Honestly, A7SII users use this cam 95% in video mode. The Sony lens line up is so unimportant, because through Metabones, we can use all the EF-Lenses and other brands too. Don't come up with the limited AF then, because videoshooters use 99% manual AF anyway. On the other hand is the very good PZ 28-135 video lens which I own as well.

[michaelchan]

Thank you for sharing. You let buyer to reconsider the pro & cons for its price. I'm impressed with your testing on the overheat, 4K crop problem, & LCD quality problem.

[jeffhalebopp]

As far as bitrate goes, I don't think that 4k recording requires 4x the bitrate as 1080p to = the same quality. The codecs bitrate quality isn't proportional to a simple 4x equation. Also I sure wouldn't want those huge file sizes for a diminished return in quality. Hope that makes sense.

[mainlymusicman]

do you also lose resolution when the 120 fps crop mode?

[sundayizu]

Hi Max thanks for the videos you put on utube

[nagual]

Great Stuff as always Max. Every time I get notified of a new upload of yours I get excited.
quick question: have you used ND filter in the video above?

[adriansfit]

i love to shoot vertical on my camera but the lcd screen on the a7s2 doesnt flip out, is there anything i can buy as an attachment to fix this problem

[BarbellMonkey]

Your content is awesome Max! What camera would you suggest under $1000 new or used for someone who really wants to make quality 4k videos but also takes a lot of photos? :)

[IANNEZEK]

After all this time and the announcement of the a99 ii - would you still say that the a7s ii is still the best camera for filmmakers ? (that can shoot stills good?) ?