People complain about the "low" megapixel. To me 12mp is more than enough if you know how to compose your shots. Even 4K is just 8mp so you really don't need more. I currently have a 12mp GF1 for 5 years which I love, but i'll move to an A7S. The low light will undoubtedly shock me compared to my micro 4/3rd.
Second best camera of the year. Thanks for the early review. I'm really been anticipating the release of this body. I'm still in the GH4 camp, but the low light performance and dynamic range on the A7s is kind of staggering. cheers.
"The video record button is thoughtfully laid out on the side" + "The menu is sensibly laid out" = Things no one has ever said about Sony A7 cameras gen I and II ever again But goddamn is it still an iconic image. I wouldn't be surprised to see a resurgence in use of these once second hand prices really bottom out, and I think that's a great thing
Great videos! You do a great job of boiling it down to the important points. To that end... I shoot mostly in low light (think musicians in bars), stills not much video. Would you buy the A7s or the A7-II?
If the low light is as good as suggested then I think this camera is a good tool for night street shooting. You can keep your high shutter speed to freeze action and stop down your lens to have as much detail as you want. No more thin DOF that lead to miss focus.
great video. I am in the camp for a new camera for video and I am torn between this and the GH4! I am excited that it is full frame, but a bit disappointed in it being 12mp and having to record to external for 4k...
Yet another nice review! Hey... Now that I'm talking about reviews, I'd like to request a Sony A77 II review. I hope you can get around to that. Oh yeah, and get well soon, Jordan.
Thanks for the review, hope everyone's favorite camera man gets back in action soon! One question: how did you find the viewfinder compared to the A7? Better? Was it very responsive in low light?
Hey guys! I love to watch all of your reviews, great job! How do you record audio in your videos? I´m getting my Sony FS7 soon and I am looking for a good audio solution, yours sound perfect! TheCameraStoreTV
now I'm torn, I know i need to upgrade from my t3i. and I'm looking at the 6D,GH3,GH4, and now the As7.. I hope you return to this when you get an actual production line As7.. I also would love to here Jordan's thoughts on it. i love when he talks about video at the end of the show... I'd Love to get a sony fs100 or 700 (way out of the budget).
If you use your photos mostly on social networks and not for printing the 12MP are more than enough. However if you use an APS-C lens e-mount on a full frame Sony a7S or a7S II the resolution is reduced to 5MP which isn't something really good but it is still usable.
please, compare it with your fs700. the color match with same picture profile, workflow, low light performance, etc (except the slomo capability haha). oh and just wondering, if this camera have a crop mode like a7 & a7r, it would be interesting to use that crop mode then attach a metabones speed booster + some fast canon glass. usable iso100K + f0.95 = global dommination :) now we can imagine (or even better, create) a non timelapse film with stars as a background. I'll wait for your a7s part II review video Thanks
Thanks for a great comprehensive review! Had no idea about the terrible rolling shutter... now I'm wondering if I get this, or save up for the c100 to have, and I quote Philip Bloom, "a proper, PROPER video camera" ...hmmm decisions Thanks again! Really appreciate this.
Not sure I fully agree with the complaints of 12MPix for still.... yes nearly all of today's cameras have more... but this sensor has more Color Depth and DR ... and better high ISO performance...than the 12MPix sensors used in the much lauded Nikon D3S and D700 .... Some of the best pictures I've ever shot were with a 12MPix APS-C sized sensor in the Nikon D300 .... what we lose is the latitude to crop and reframe the shot on the PC...which is a nice thing, don't get me wrong...but maybe this will force us to frame the shot right in the first place.... after all even the D4S, X-T1 and EM1 are all 16MPix.... How much less is 12MPix really?
Could you do a demonstration of low light AF performance? Would be nice to see how it focuses in low light (i.e. show us the LCD as you do the focusing).
Hey Chris, Love your videos. All around great and informative, but I have a question about the A7s. Does is have built in Image stabilization like most Sony cameras? I'm looking at getting one of these bad boys for video and I can't seem to find the answer to my question anywhere. Thanks
Chris, Thanks for the initial honest review. I can't wait to throw this camera into my Edelkrone rig and an Atomos Shogun recorder. The camera is EXACTLY what I want - 80% for video, 20% for stills. Now if it would just arrive already - I pre-ordered it from your store! ;)
Is this A7S's high iso in video much better than the Canon 5D mark 3 ? If so, it would be nice to see you guys do a shoot out in high iso video between the A7S and the C100 !
I think you can use one of BlackMagic's UltraStudios to record 4K externally until the Atomos Shogun comes out. Not sure about which one, Den Lennie used one in his A7s video, forgot the exact name tho..
hey. thanks for this. overall if you compare video autofocus on this camera vs. the 70d (not just the low light autofocus, but overall video autofocus) what would you say? thanks!
I have an a7II, and thinking about a second body, I'm torn between this and the 7r. What do you guys think? Thanks! I want a lighter body since the II is considerably larger than this or the r.
How is the 12mp work for stills? Is it good enough? I shot many night shots with my A7 but thinking of upgrading. A7r, A7 ll or maybe A7s for those higher ISO?
Everything looks good with this camera except for the rolling shutter and the green looking shadows in regards to video. I want a B cam for video and a backup for stills but the green shadows are making me nervous to buy. I wish I could try it before I buy.
hi I like your review about a7s, but there are few question I have about a7s. I do video recording with a6000 about after 25 min it gets overheated. I would like to know if A7s if you keeps running it for 2 hrs also if you can show a test between gh4 lowlight autofocusing vs A7s lowlight autofocus Thanks
Hello, cool videos. I have one doubt after watching tons of reviews. I am photographer, how ever from time to time I do video. Which would be the best mirrorless camera for photos? I work with kids in a studio so I need a fast focus. For what I read this A7s is great if you need ISO more than 6400, but I don´t need that very often... So, which mirrorless camera would you recomend? I am a Canon 60D user.
I know one of the A7S's main features is that it's great in low light, but I feel having great ability in bright daylight is just as important and having those low ISO's is also very good to have. With that in mind, can anybody confirm if the A7S, as well as the A7 & A7R, has high speed flash sync capability? I know sony makes flashes with HSS, but I'm not sure if I have ever got firm confirmation if any of the A7 bodies can actually do HSS.. and I'm not talking putting flash on manual and cracking up power and trying to see what's the highest shutter speed you can get without any banding.. that's not HSS.. need the actually HSS flash pulses that will work with really high shutter speeds.. I would need it for shooting outdoor portraits against bright sunlight to make subject's exposure look balance against ambient exposure.
Was this shot with the gh4? The skin tones look a bit waxy/pasty and the green looks unnatural. I wonder which setting was used and if the shadows and highlights were pushed to the max. And did you do any color grading? Thanks.
Thanks! So...is the AF in stills improved or not so much? In the middle you said you don't see much difference but in the end you said you've seen a bit of an improvement. Help me out!
It's a very slight improvement for stills shooting. Nothing close to the A6000's AF performance. Video AF seems to be smoother and drift off subject less though. Jordan @ The Camera Store TV
Hi, Thanks for the review. Yes that's a great camera for photography and video. I use this camera for video. Could you let me know how to use steady shot option on this camera please? I am using Canon's glass with this camera. It seems like this option is not working at all. The other option I want to access is TC which is also disabled. I returned the first one because those features were not working but the new one also doing the same. Thanks in advance.
There is no in-body stabilization with the Sony A7S. You will need to make sure that your Canon to NEX adapter will allow stabilization. If your lens is stabilized, turn that function on via the switch on the lens. The option for stabilization in the menu is for using Sony stabilized E-Mount lenses. Jordan @ TCSTV
Hello, I love your reviews. What camera would you recomend for filming on a trip around the world? animals, jungle, people etc. The Sony A7S or the Panasonic GH4?
Tough choice. If its going to be a very fast paced sort of trip. I would go with the GH4. Smaller and more compact, plus the internal 4k if you are going to be doing video. If pace and price and how much you are carrying isn't an issue. I would go with the a7s. The GH4 is a wonderful camera for fast paced, plus 4k. However, if you are just wondering with pictures. a7s all day.
So you guys covered the AF works well in very low-light conditions. When the subject is moving (as in from a photo pit during a heavy metal concert), is it still accurate? Next, I'm reading some stuff from some internet forum photographers who are slamming the A7 series because they don't use 14 bit due to whatever interpolation boring nonsense. The bottom line: if one is constantly shooting at ISO6400 and above, is there any step back?
Would you guys say the A7S can produce a cinematic image for films? The Gh4 looks a bit too digital video for my liking(over sharpened, digital look) compared to a blackmagic. How do you think the a7s stacks up? I value DR over sharpness.
Im planning on using this for filming but I need to know what mount it is! I think its an A mount but could be an E mount if its going to be a major film shooter
To clarify your GH4 video claims... Yes, it shoots 4K internally BUT only at 8-bit 4:2:0 (same as Sony and at 2x crop factor, while Sony is full frame). To get 10-bit 4:2:2 4K from the GH4, you need to record externally. In comparison, the Blackmagic 4K Production camera does 4K at 12-bit internally to SSD.
Love the review video Chris. I like to shoot people dancing tango in dimly lit night clubs. So far I haven't seen a camera that does the job. I hope this one will.
Why was he so happy when he said "personal problems"
People complain about the "low" megapixel. To me 12mp is more than enough if you know how to compose your shots. Even 4K is just 8mp so you really don't need more.
I currently have a 12mp GF1 for 5 years which I love, but i'll move to an A7S. The low light will undoubtedly shock me compared to my micro 4/3rd.
I hope Jordan gets better soon. Awesome job yet again... You all never disappoint. I thank you.
I’ve been eyeing the Sony A7 for a long time for my UA-cam shooting. I’m sold 👍🏾
Woah get well soon Jordan!
Second best camera of the year. Thanks for the early review. I'm really been anticipating the release of this body. I'm still in the GH4 camp, but the low light performance and dynamic range on the A7s is kind of staggering.
cheers.
YESS!!! Been waiting for this.
Great video work. Get well Jordan
Get well, Jordan! Great job Chris and Levi!
Good work guys.
Love it guys - great music too!!
awesome and I am eagerly waiting for the inevitable GH4 vs A7s review!
Terrific review and great presentation. I'm going to buy oe.
Thanks
"The video record button is thoughtfully laid out on the side" + "The menu is sensibly laid out" = Things no one has ever said about Sony A7 cameras gen I and II ever again
But goddamn is it still an iconic image. I wouldn't be surprised to see a resurgence in use of these once second hand prices really bottom out, and I think that's a great thing
Great videos! You do a great job of boiling it down to the important points. To that end... I shoot mostly in low light (think musicians in bars), stills not much video. Would you buy the A7s or the A7-II?
Congrats to the video guy, he handled that part very well.
This is a high quality review. Thnx guys
Great Video, I just got the A7s and agree with everything.
This is probably one of the best videos for the A7S. I bought two. Thanks to this video, Philip Bloom and Film Riot.
Do you still use it ? What are the pros and cons if I want to buy it second-hand now ?
great review. thanks.
i love the 12mp, i think is the perfect mp count for casual shootings, i shoot weddings, d700 is still my fav to go camera.great review!
If the low light is as good as suggested then I think this camera is a good tool for night street shooting. You can keep your high shutter speed to freeze action and stop down your lens to have as much detail as you want. No more thin DOF that lead to miss focus.
great video. I am in the camp for a new camera for video and I am torn between this and the GH4! I am excited that it is full frame, but a bit disappointed in it being 12mp and having to record to external for 4k...
Yet another nice review! Hey... Now that I'm talking about reviews, I'd like to request a Sony A77 II review. I hope you can get around to that. Oh yeah, and get well soon, Jordan.
Thanks for the review, hope everyone's favorite camera man gets back in action soon! One question: how did you find the viewfinder compared to the A7? Better? Was it very responsive in low light?
Love that Chris was so thrilled that Jordan was at hospital.
Hey guys!
I love to watch all of your reviews, great job! How do you record audio in your videos? I´m getting my Sony FS7 soon and I am looking for a good audio solution, yours sound perfect! TheCameraStoreTV
now I'm torn, I know i need to upgrade from my t3i. and I'm looking at the 6D,GH3,GH4, and now the As7.. I hope you return to this when you get an actual production line As7.. I also would love to here Jordan's thoughts on it. i love when he talks about video at the end of the show... I'd Love to get a sony fs100 or 700 (way out of the budget).
i think we need another review with the RAW and the 4k
If you use your photos mostly on social networks and not for printing the 12MP are more than enough. However if you use an APS-C lens e-mount on a full frame Sony a7S or a7S II the resolution is reduced to 5MP which isn't something really good but it is still usable.
please, compare it with your fs700.
the color match with same picture profile, workflow, low light performance, etc (except the slomo capability haha).
oh and just wondering, if this camera have a crop mode like a7 & a7r, it would be interesting to use that crop mode then attach a metabones speed booster + some fast canon glass. usable iso100K + f0.95 = global dommination :)
now we can imagine (or even better, create) a non timelapse film with stars as a background.
I'll wait for your a7s part II review video
Thanks
Thanks for a great comprehensive review! Had no idea about the terrible rolling shutter... now I'm wondering if I get this, or save up for the c100 to have, and I quote Philip Bloom, "a proper, PROPER video camera" ...hmmm decisions Thanks again! Really appreciate this.
Not sure I fully agree with the complaints of 12MPix for still.... yes nearly all of today's cameras have more... but this sensor has more Color Depth and DR ... and better high ISO performance...than the 12MPix sensors used in the much lauded Nikon D3S and D700 .... Some of the best pictures I've ever shot were with a 12MPix APS-C sized sensor in the Nikon D300 .... what we lose is the latitude to crop and reframe the shot on the PC...which is a nice thing, don't get me wrong...but maybe this will force us to frame the shot right in the first place.... after all even the D4S, X-T1 and EM1 are all 16MPix.... How much less is 12MPix really?
Great review. Still waiting for your A7s vs GH4 shoot out!
=)
Could you do a demonstration of low light AF performance? Would be nice to see how it focuses in low light (i.e. show us the LCD as you do the focusing).
Great video. I have an A7. Is it worth to get this for video features alone or am I better off with the A7 and a crop camcorder? Thanks!
Get well, Jordan!
Hey Chris, Love your videos. All around great and informative, but I have a question about the A7s. Does is have built in Image stabilization like most Sony cameras? I'm looking at getting one of these bad boys for video and I can't seem to find the answer to my question anywhere. Thanks
Nice hands on preview. May I ask what you used to record sound? Thanks :D
Chris, Thanks for the initial honest review. I can't wait to throw this camera into my Edelkrone rig and an Atomos Shogun recorder. The camera is EXACTLY what I want - 80% for video, 20% for stills. Now if it would just arrive already - I pre-ordered it from your store! ;)
two great choices you give us showing and filming panny vs Sony. great review
Good camera job on rewiev. I like it much.
Co-host looking good as usual :D
Get well soon, Jordan!
This guy is so happy.
If I don't shoot events where I can't control lighting is the A7S really a better choice over my original A7 for stills ?
Is this A7S's high iso in video much better than the Canon 5D mark 3 ? If so, it would be nice to see you guys do a shoot out in high iso video between the A7S and the C100 !
I think you can use one of BlackMagic's UltraStudios to record 4K externally until the Atomos Shogun comes out. Not sure about which one, Den Lennie used one in his A7s video, forgot the exact name tho..
Love the image! We shot our last movie "my days as a woflman" on the sony A7s with shogun. pretty nice picture quality :)
hey. thanks for this. overall if you compare video autofocus on this camera vs. the 70d (not just the low light autofocus, but overall video autofocus) what would you say? thanks!
I have an a7II, and thinking about a second body, I'm torn between this and the 7r. What do you guys think? Thanks! I want a lighter body since the II is considerably larger than this or the r.
Buying for both :)
What lens was on the a7s when shooting this review?
How is the 12mp work for stills? Is it good enough? I shot many night shots with my A7 but thinking of upgrading. A7r, A7 ll or maybe A7s for those higher ISO?
Any chance you could post the Stills from this shoot? I would love to have the still at 1:44 for a wallpaper...
Does anyone know what mic is being used for the dialogue in this video? Sounds amazing!
Everything looks good with this camera except for the rolling shutter and the green looking shadows in regards to video. I want a B cam for video and a backup for stills but the green shadows are making me nervous to buy. I wish I could try it before I buy.
hi I like your review about a7s, but there are few question I have about a7s. I do video recording with a6000 about after 25 min it gets overheated. I would like to know if A7s if you keeps running it for 2 hrs also if you can show a test between gh4 lowlight autofocusing vs A7s lowlight autofocus Thanks
Hello, cool videos. I have one doubt after watching tons of reviews. I am photographer, how ever from time to time I do video. Which would be the best mirrorless camera for photos? I work with kids in a studio so I need a fast focus. For what I read this A7s is great if you need ISO more than 6400, but I don´t need that very often... So, which mirrorless camera would you recomend? I am a Canon 60D user.
Great video! Did you say ...D7s at 5:15min? :)
Hello :-) Which external monitor would you recommend with the Sony Alpha 7s?
So, will Jordan return as Jordame?
Is there by any chance the Sony A77 mk 2 can be reviewed please?
Want one really really bad...can't decide between this, gh4 or fs700..
Did he say 15 stops of dynamic range at 9:20 ??? Also, if you use an external recorder, can you record at 10bit?
How can the video have 15stops of dynamic range when raw files got "only" 13.2 stops of DR?
How does the rolling shutter compare to a 5d mark 3?
I know one of the A7S's main features is that it's great in low light, but I feel having great ability in bright daylight is just as important and having those low ISO's is also very good to have. With that in mind, can anybody confirm if the A7S, as well as the A7 & A7R, has high speed flash sync capability? I know sony makes flashes with HSS, but I'm not sure if I have ever got firm confirmation if any of the A7 bodies can actually do HSS.. and I'm not talking putting flash on manual and cracking up power and trying to see what's the highest shutter speed you can get without any banding.. that's not HSS.. need the actually HSS flash pulses that will work with really high shutter speeds.. I would need it for shooting outdoor portraits against bright sunlight to make subject's exposure look balance against ambient exposure.
Hi,
Which lens were you using with it ?
Thanks :)
I've noticed that at 9:50 the videographer is walking with Chris. How did you get the video so stabilised?
I really like your jacket...
Actually, I want this as still because of the small megapixels. 12 on this camera is way way more than adequate for I shoot.
What do you shoot or used to… back then, if I may ask?
How the dynamic range of the A7S compared to the A7/R?
Was this shot with the gh4? The skin tones look a bit waxy/pasty and the green looks unnatural. I wonder which setting was used and if the shadows and highlights were pushed to the max. And did you do any color grading? Thanks.
Hi,
What lens is that seems very good :)
Thanks sir
Epic!!
hi can u do a video comparison on the canon 6d,sony a7 and sony a7 r please
Sorry!! I hope JORDAN is feeling better!!! And your co-host hair!!!
wow. just wow
guys what are you using to shoot the moving shots?
"Shot in the Dark" is a song by heavy metal solo artist Ozzy Osbourne, from his 1986 album The Ultimate Sin.
Thanks! So...is the AF in stills improved or not so much?
In the middle you said you don't see much difference but in the end you said you've seen a bit of an improvement. Help me out!
It's a very slight improvement for stills shooting. Nothing close to the A6000's AF performance. Video AF seems to be smoother and drift off subject less though.
Jordan @ The Camera Store TV
Please, review the new Sony A77II !
Hi,
Thanks for the review. Yes that's a great camera for photography and video. I use this camera for video.
Could you let me know how to use steady shot option on this camera please? I am using Canon's glass with this camera. It seems like this option is not working at all. The other option I want to access is TC which is also disabled.
I returned the first one because those features were not working but the new one also doing the same.
Thanks in advance.
There is no in-body stabilization with the Sony A7S. You will need to make sure that your Canon to NEX adapter will allow stabilization. If your lens is stabilized, turn that function on via the switch on the lens. The option for stabilization in the menu is for using Sony stabilized E-Mount lenses.
Jordan @ TCSTV
Most TVs are only 8bit anyway right? Except for computer monitor (IPS) displays yeah?
Will you guys be doing a comparison with the GH4?
Yes, once we get the Atomos Shoguns, we'll do a proper shootout.
Jordan @ The Camera Store TV
Hello, I love your reviews. What camera would you recomend for filming on a trip around the world? animals, jungle, people etc. The Sony A7S or the Panasonic GH4?
Tough choice. If its going to be a very fast paced sort of trip. I would go with the GH4. Smaller and more compact, plus the internal 4k if you are going to be doing video. If pace and price and how much you are carrying isn't an issue. I would go with the a7s. The GH4 is a wonderful camera for fast paced, plus 4k.
However, if you are just wondering with pictures. a7s all day.
On what camera was the interview shot?
So you guys covered the AF works well in very low-light conditions. When the subject is moving (as in from a photo pit during a heavy metal concert), is it still accurate?
Next, I'm reading some stuff from some internet forum photographers who are slamming the A7 series because they don't use 14 bit due to whatever interpolation boring nonsense. The bottom line: if one is constantly shooting at ISO6400 and above, is there any step back?
Great video, just started photography at college, I've got a lot to learn! New sub from me:)
Would you guys say the A7S can produce a cinematic image for films? The Gh4 looks a bit too digital video for my liking(over sharpened, digital look) compared to a blackmagic. How do you think the a7s stacks up? I value DR over sharpness.
The Camera Store which one would you pick The GH4 Or the A7s? If you had to pick one.
Im planning on using this for filming but I need to know what mount it is! I think its an A mount but could be an E mount if its going to be a major film shooter
It is an E-Mount camera. Great for filmmakers!
Jordan @ TCSTV
bad timing with the external 4k recorder...hope they start shipping soon because the a7s is already shipping!!
hi whats the lens ur using?
ty
To clarify your GH4 video claims... Yes, it shoots 4K internally BUT only at 8-bit 4:2:0 (same as Sony and at 2x crop factor, while Sony is full frame). To get 10-bit 4:2:2 4K from the GH4, you need to record externally. In comparison, the Blackmagic 4K Production camera does 4K at 12-bit internally to SSD.
Can you do selfies with this camera?
which camera should i buy sony a99 or a7s
Love the review video Chris. I like to shoot people dancing tango in dimly lit night clubs. So far I haven't seen a camera that does the job. I hope this one will.