Sony - Alpha a7 II Full-Frame Mirrorless Video Camera (Body Only) - Black

This is my first major investment into one of my hobbies, and the most expensive one, photography. Was going to go DSLR with my first major investment but went Mirror-less... I don't have previous experience with anything that's not a cyber-shot camera or an iPhone - so my opinion on this product is that from someone who's never used a professional camera. To start, I was worried, but this mirror-less camera meets and probably exceeds the quality and features provided by its DSLR counterparts AT A MUCH LOWER COST. It’s because of the savings that I was not too worried. I wanted my first purchase to be an introductory level item (a good one) before I purchase one of the toys for "big boys". I bought the Sony A7 II (body) and I also got the Sony 18-105 mm G F4 lens last week during Black Friday (no discount though :( - grrr) ...and Since that Black Friday, I've been playing with this camera any chance that I get... my 5-year-old hates me right now. I don't know where to start... first, this camera allows me to take professional grade pictures. I believe I can take my son to the park, take pictures, and then get away with telling my friends I paid a professional photographer $1000 for that photo session - and they will believe me. Even though its much lighter than the DSLRs I’ve handled during my research it still feels solid. There is balance between its construction and design - like its ergonomically designed to be held in a photographer's camera handling posture - I really don't know how to say it but there is some sort of natural feel to it while I’m taking pictures - not too heavy - not to light... just right. The functions, the buttons they WERE just too overwhelming for me. Again, I'm new, I just look for the flower icon to take close-up pictures. But I’m sure those who are at this level know how to properly use this buttons and functions. Fast forward a few days, I have read the manual, done some google-ling, done some tutorials and just want to say that after you read the manual. the buttons and functions are not that intimidating at all. in fact, I found it easy to learn. The learning curve is not too steep for a novice. Listen, there are two ways to use this camera, one takes excellent pictures - the other takes even better pictures... You can take this baby out the box and just put it on auto and call it a day because you will be taking very good pictures. But I just don't want to be an auto-focus guy... I want to take it to the next level and learn/apply every feature available in this camera. I want to be able to push it and basically use it to the extent it was designed for. Right now, I’m just up to the level where I am conscious that you must properly set the ISO /F stop / shutter speed for your shots. I just need to remember which settings best apply to the picture I want to take. I believe that will come with practice. Like I said, I don't want to be the auto-focus guy but it will be impractical to manually set your camera for every shot... but the gist is... I want to be able to know how to do it manually - when I feel it needs to be done manually. This camera gives me this opportunity. it has exceeded my minimal expectation of quality and ease of use, the pictures are sharp, the colors are crisp, pictures at 10-12 megapixel are already professional grade - you get 24.3 megapixel, unless you are printing banners and posters to hang on the side of buildings you really don't need anything higher. If anything, else - you can't go wrong with the Sony brand. Other Features: By the way, I’m not too much into recording movies but I did record my son and niece acting silly and I also recorded a drive around the neighborhood. To be honest, it looked like a movie - all I needed was lighting/filters and mics and it would've looked official. Videos are recorded in HD. Has an image stabilization feature which I believe is working as intended because my stills are blur-less - you can still pay $500 of a gimbal - but you are at that level you probably need a higher end camera - unless you want to get it just to get it. but you can also use a tripod and a shutter remote which is probably the cheapest alternative if the image stabilization feature is not enough for you. It is Wi-Fi capable - I’m not too happy with how this was implemented (or maybe I’m just using it wrong) I expected the camera to show up as another node on my network. One where I can double click and open folders and copy pictures over. I'm finding you cannot do this. The way it works is that you need to download an app from Sony so you can import photos using a wireless connection. TOOOOOO SLOOOOW (again I might be doing it wrong but that transfer rate is too slow) Currently, I’m connecting it via USB to my pc to transfer pics from camera to computer. I placed an order for an NFC reader where, theoretically, I should be able to just lay the camera on top of it and it will transfer the pictures to my pc - wirelessly via the NFC connection. Battery: I’ve read lots of bad reviews - but I had to try for myself before I jump on the band wagon. The battery does get drained fast which is why I don’t understand why this product doesn't come with an external power adapter. The Sony brand costs about $90, the cost of a good substitute is about $30-40. Being the battery life is so poor you figured they would throw that in there just to distract you from the fact that your batteries can potentially drain in 1-2 hours of heavy use. What I’m not going to do is chastise the quality of this camera because of the poor battery life. It is an electronic device - more bells, more whistles = more power needed. By the way, I did order two spare batteries with charger and an external power adapter (not the Sony brand because I’m already over my budget on this toy... and i'm still spending over budget). Until I found a 6 ft. long micro USB cable, I had to use the very short micro USB cable, which came in the box, to charge my battery. I have to connect it to the camera just to charge my batteries - which make me uncomfortable because someone can knock it down and basically this camera is a $1500 camera not a $1500 battery charger. The camera needs to be packed up in its, very protective carrying case, far away from the potential harm of curious friends and family members who want to touch the nice new stuff you just bought, while the battery is charging via a normal battery charger (can’t wait until it gets here). Anyway, that's my recommendation - get an external power adapter and at least 2 extra batteries with charger so that you and your camera can get a good night’s sleep. TL; DR I'm am extremely happy with this camera. It definitely fits my needs, my level of expertise and usages - about 99% pictures and maybe 1% videos (as of now). After 3 days of playing with it... I was sold so I went and purchased the Sony - HVL-F45RM External Flash (2 of them) - Which I recommend you buy 1 if any for your camera. It will also serve as a controller for wireless external flashes if you ever want to buy more. The wireless controller costs a bit less than this external flash but for a few bucks more might as well get the F45RM. My next major purchase will be the Sony - G Master FE 85 mm F1.4 Lens ($1800 at time of this post) ... probably sometime next year (I can’t wait) unless there is some major price drop soon or Best Buy offers some 1/2 price promotion - other than that it's a waiting game.

The Alpha a7 II camera is fantastic! I bought this particular camera as an Open Box Item and couldn't be any happier. Best Buy had advertised it as in excellent condition and I found that to be accurate. I had a Sony a6000 before this camera that I was very happy with, also. I would add that you shouldn't by this camera until you are ready to start shooting in more Manual Modes. The a6000 and a6300 take great pictures in Auto Modes and all modes and especially paired with some extra (separate purchase) high quality lenses (Glass). Have a Good Day, JW~

I added this to my Kit recently and it is my first full-frame mirrorless. However, I shoot primarily legacy glass with it and rarely use SONY lenses. This is a personal preference, not so much because SONY doesn't make good glass, but primarily because Legacy glass is cheaper and manual focusing is a skill I have been getting better and better at. I highly recommend this camera for the enthusiast, or even the Pro who needs a primary or backup body that is lightweight and always ready to go. I do wish that I could exposure compensate without having to have Auto ISO on. Luckily I can set the minimum and maximum ISO in auto mode, so there is still some control there.

This camera did not dissapoint! I have the a6000 (another surprisingly awesome camera) but was ready to move on to full frame. I had seen a lot of videos and reviews that had raved of the a7ii and it's abilities, so I was a little skeptical it would live up to the hype! It did not dissapoint!

However, after having it for a month and realizing how awesome it was, I decided to go for what I really wanted; the a7rii. But if you don't need to do crazy photography, this will suffice plenty.

As a professional photographer, who has recently switched from traditional DSLR camera bodies, to the new wave of mirrorless cameras, this new Sony a7ii model, is packed with pro functionality, without the price tag! At just under $2k, this camera blows away everything in it's price point and up to around $5k. The body is rock solid. (I actually dropped it the first day I purchased it, from about 3feet in the air, and it bounced around 3 times on parking lot pavement, and I only ended up the a scratched lens hood?). The weather sealing is excellent, all around. The dials and function buttons are laid out in a very usable way, and can be customized to fit a very simple or complex workflow. The viewfinder is very sharp, with great color. The LCD back panel has a "retina" display look about it. I coupled it with a Zeiss 24-70mm f4, and the image quality is superb, with robust color, contrast, and sharpness. It's like having the rich tonality of a Canon 5d, with the sharpness and dynamic range of a Nikon full frame. The 5axis sensor stabilization, and the ability to retro-fit Canon and Nikon glass, are 2 amazing features that put this camera body in a class of it's own. Sony is paving the way for future mirrorless technology!! I would recommend this to a beginner because, the improved workflow through the camera's functionality allows a new photographer to concentrate more on composition and lighting, and not have to worry about frustrating things like making sure that your subject is in focus, due to it's face detection technology. Novice photogs will also benefit from AUTO mode, due to the factory programming preference, that prioritizes a fast shutter speed, so that good focus and exposure are achieved, with little to no thought process from the camera operator. But, I also recommend this camera to experienced and professional photographers, due to the light weight, smaller footer print, and the customization of menus and buttons for providing a very intuitive and efficient workflow(focus magnification, focus peaking, face detection, face registration, Direct Manual Focus, back button focus, etc.) This is truly the most under rated camera by far, due to the fact that it is so ingenious, that most people are clueless to it's true potential.

After 8 months of research I sold 6 of my L series lenses and 2-5dM2 bodies to start shooing with the mirrorless Sony. And couldn't be happier. The camera is faster focusing and cleaner RAW and jpg files than I've ever seen out of a digital camera. And the reduced size, weight, and price tag are a joy to both my shoulders and my wallet. Features like built in wi-fi and OLED viewfinders to be able to preview my images before I shoot is amazing and makes for a higher number of useable shots. I'm also thrilled to have Zeiss lenses back in my camera bag and in front of a digital sensor, after all these years. (my first pro cameras were film Hasselblad's and Contax's that I still use one in awhile) Three cheers to Sony for creating such a great and innovative camera system that has energised this third generation pro photographer.

Upgraded from the Sony a5100 and wow what a HUGE difference! Took this camera to New York and love the quality of all the images I took. Can’t wait to buy a flash to use during the night time. Can’t wait to explore all of the features on this camera.