Jump to content

struggling to pick between the A7s and the A7sII

RainColt

I really like the A7s for its low light performance and at 2300 CAD it's kindof a solid deal but the A7sII at 3800CAD is really tempting. Obviously you get a A7s for video and with the 5 axis stabilization of the mkII I could get cheaper lenses without stabilization and with build in 4K and faster autofocus it's really tempting, but I don't think I need 4K but if I change my mind with the A7s I can get an external recorder which will be fine because I'll need an external monitor either way, two smaller hits feels better than one hard one. Which should I get, I just don't know.

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

The S2 is a big improvement. The 5-axis and in camera 4K will allow you to be flexible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I really like the A7s for its low light performance and at 2300 CAD it's kindof a solid deal but the A7sII at 3800CAD is really tempting. Obviously you get a A7s for video and with the 5 axis stabilization of the mkII I could get cheaper lenses without stabilization and with build in 4K and faster autofocus it's really tempting, but I don't think I need 4K but if I change my mind with the A7s I can get an external recorder which will be fine because I'll need an external monitor either way, two smaller hits feels better than one hard one. Which should I get, I just don't know.

 

Ok so from what I understand, whether you get the A7s or A7s mk II, you will still get an external field monitor/recorder?  What about other accessories?

 

How much, maximum, are you willing to spend actually?

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so from what I understand, whether you get the A7s or A7s mk II, you will still get an external field monitor/recorder?  What about other accessories?

 

How much, maximum, are you willing to spend actually?

If I get a A7smkII i'll just get an external monitor if the A7s ill get a field recorder if I feel the need for 4k if not just an external monitor. I'll be getting a sigma 18-35 with it initially and a metabones adapter for my canon lenses to sony. 

The thing is a lump sum of 3800 hurts but 2300 isn't too bad, I'm not buying it all in one go, i'll be purchasing the body then the lense then whatever else I feel I need when the need arises but initially I don't want to be spending much more than 5-6000.

edit:

The difference between in price for the A7s and the MKII is that I can impulse buy the A7s but the MKii is expensive enough that I'll have to save for a month 

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

If I get a A7smkII i'll just get an external monitor if the A7s ill get a field recorder if I feel the need for 4k if not just an external monitor. I'll be getting a sigma 18-35 with it initially and a metabones adapter for my canon lenses to sony. 

The thing is a lump sum of 3800 hurts but 2300 isn't too bad, I'm not buying it all in one go, i'll be purchasing the body then the lense then whatever else I feel I need when the need arises but initially I don't want to be spending much more than 5-6000.

 

The cheapest 4K capable recorder is around $1200 on B&H in the US.

 

A7s II + field monitor = roughly $4000 (going for a cheap field monitor here)

A7s + 4K field recorder = roughly $3500

 

You also need to consider other accessories like, if you don't have them already

  • external microphone
  • rig to mount all the gear (e.g. 15mm rods, tripod/shoulder adapters, camera cage)
  • follow focus

A good Metabones Canon to Sony adapter costs around $400-600, if you want the speed booster version with electronic contact points.  Otherwise a dumb adapter can be cheaper.

 

Yeah the biggest question is: Do you really need 4K?

It's not just the camera, 4K comes with the cost in storage space and a bit more processing power for editing than 1080p.

 

If your aim is to post videos onto your Youtube Channel, forget 4K.  Youtube's video compression will suck.

 

Another decision point will be video recording frame rates.  The A7s II supports 1080@120p.  Are the A7s' frame rates sufficient for your needs?

 

PS: You're talking to someone who placed an order for a Sony FS7 video camera. :)  So I know about budget concerns.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

Yeah the biggest question is: Do you really need 4K?

It's not just the camera, 4K comes with the cost in storage space and a bit more processing power for editing than 1080p.

 

 

It's also whether the faster autofocus, 5 axis stabilization and Slog 3 are worth it. For me more than anything the 5 axis stabilization is making the decision difficult because if it does what it claims to do well then I can cheap out on future lenses by not having to buy OSS lenses and the faster auto focus might be necessary because I've not heard good things about the A7s autofocus. But Price to performance the A7s is a solid piece and I keep bouncing back and forth between the two, they are priced too well against each other.

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

id go for the a7sII. It will likely be cheaper in the end as with the normal a7s, you need a external recorder which ads bulk and a good recorder is going to set you back around 2 grand.

Case: Phanteks Evolve X with ITX mount  cpu: Ryzen 3900X 4.35ghz all cores Motherboard: MSI X570 Unify gpu: EVGA 1070 SC  psu: Phanteks revolt x 1200W Memory: 64GB Kingston Hyper X oc'd to 3600mhz ssd: Sabrent Rocket 4.0 1TB ITX System CPU: 4670k  Motherboard: some cheap asus h87 Ram: 16gb corsair vengeance 1600mhz

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 I'll be getting a sigma 18-35 with it initially and a metabones adapter for my canon lenses to sony. 

 

Why would you get the 18-35? its an APSC lens and it vignettes on a full frame camera, you should be investing in full frame glass really

 

 

hands down the A7sII or personally I would get the A7RII, but hey

Desktop - Corsair 300r i7 4770k H100i MSI 780ti 16GB Vengeance Pro 2400mhz Crucial MX100 512gb Samsung Evo 250gb 2 TB WD Green, AOC Q2770PQU 1440p 27" monitor Laptop Clevo W110er - 11.6" 768p, i5 3230m, 650m GT 2gb, OCZ vertex 4 256gb,  4gb ram, Server: Fractal Define Mini, MSI Z78-G43, Intel G3220, 8GB Corsair Vengeance, 4x 3tb WD Reds in Raid 10, Phone Oppo Reno 10x 256gb , Camera Sony A7iii

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

It's also whether the faster autofocus, 5 axis stabilization and Slog 3 are worth it. For me more than anything the 5 axis stabilization is making the decision difficult because if it does what it claims to do well then I can cheap out on future lenses by not having to buy OSS lenses and the faster auto focus might be necessary because I've not heard good things about the A7s autofocus. But Price to performance the A7s is a solid piece and I keep bouncing back and forth between the two, they are priced too well against each other.

 

I'm not a fan of AF for video so that's something I never take into strong consideration.  But the 5 axis stabilization and S-log will be worth it if you plan to do a lot more than videos for the run-of-the-mill Youtube channel.  If it's just to do product reviews, game streaming and unboxing videos... forget the A7sII, you are wasting your money.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 
 

 

Why would you get the 18-35? its an APSC lens and it vignettes on a full frame camera, you should be investing in full frame glass really

 

 

hands down the A7sII or personally I would get the A7RII, but hey

 

Feel free to suggest a better more versatile full frame lense something wide and F2.8 at the slowest, also cheaper than 2 grand would be nice. If you can come up with one I'd be interested but if not I guess I'll just be recording in APS-C mode.

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not a fan of AF for video so that's something I never take into strong consideration.  But the 5 axis stabilization and S-log will be worth it if you plan to do a lot more than videos for the run-of-the-mill Youtube channel.  If it's just to do product reviews, game streaming and unboxing videos... forget the A7sII, you are wasting your money.

Yeah, I'm kindof leaning more towards the A7s, youtubers have been using the Sigma 18-35 for like 3 years and haven't needed image stabilization with it, I should be able to manage with it and if I feel I need it I can probably get away with having just a 35mm Prime with OSS.

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Feel free to suggest a better more versatile full frame lense something wide and F2.8 at the slowest, also cheaper than 2 grand would be nice. If you can come up with one I'd be interested but if not I guess I'll just be recording in APS-C mode.

 

 

Yeah, I'm kindof leaning more towards the A7s, youtubers have been using the Sigma 18-35 for like 3 years and haven't needed image stabilization with it, I should be able to manage with it and if I feel I need it I can probably get away with having just a 35mm Prime with OSS.

 

As it was said, the Sigma 18-35 is a cropped sensor lens, while the Sony A7 are full frame sensor bodies.  Even with a metabones speedbooster I doubt you will get full sensor coverage using that lens.

 

If you want a full frame coverage lens, you need to get something like a 24-70 f/2.8.  Or get the Sigma lens and use a Canon APS-C body.

 

The difference between f/2 and f/2.8 is just 1-stop, you can compensate for this by changing the ISO.

 

 

Maybe it's better you tell us what kind of videos you plan to do and we can help you choose a camera.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I plan on making scripted content similar to Pure pwnage or Video game high school and coming off a canon with shitty ISO I want something that can perform in low light so that I'm not wasting time setting up lights every where. I just want to be able to shoot wherever I want and have the camera's low light performance compensate for non ideal conditions (standard indoor lighting and night time) and be acceptable. having purchased a fast lense for this canon I don't trust anything slower than 2.8 because indoors that is basically what I have to be shooting at at all times to get anything usable at the Low ISO I have to use (it's a T5i it's a shitty video camera anything higher than iso 400 is unusable)  

If i'm spending the extra money on a sony lenses out of the gate then my decision is already made, I'll get the A7s but the sony lenses has to include OSS and be F2.8 and equally versatile as the sigma but I can't find that lense anywhere.

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well you can always use prime lenses, which tend to have faster apertures.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well you can always use prime lenses, which tend to have faster apertures.

I think I'll just get the 28-70mm kit lense, it's cheaper than the sigma has OSS and at 1080p or even 4K lense sharpness isn't super important and I can adapt my current lenses to fill in the gaps that this doesn't really do for me this will probably only be usable for 28-50mm, but that's fine. A7s it is. 

Why do you always die right after I fix you?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally I'd get the a7s mk1 and a used one at that. Free up some budget to get a Sony Rx10 II into the mix. Played with it over the weekend, it does amazing 120 continuous slow mo and acceptable 240fps slow-mo (2 second burst). Everything is better with slow mo :) + it's actually a very versatile b-cam for a second angle. What's even more cool is if you did what we did and combine it with a 3-axis stabilizer, being able to fly, ramp the shot, add some fake-o anamorphic letter boxing and it creates a really unique look. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

It's never easy to choose a video camera (or choosing a camera for recording a video), in fact choosing a photo camera is easier in my opinion.  With video cameras you have to look at the codecs/file formats, the bit rates, the frame rates, the resolution, the additional features you want (audio inputs, SDI or HDMI outputs, ergonomics, lens compatibility, color grading, etc.)

 

It's taken me over a year, since I sold/gave away my old one, to actually buy a new video camera, and I've considered several models, deciding on a particular model one day and changing my decision the next day.

 

With a photo camera, I don't care what kind of RAW format it uses because Lightroom (or other photo editing software) supports them.  I don't have to worry about lens compatibility as much, no need to consider audio or lack of audio inputs (XLR, 3.5mm), whether the camera has clean SDI/HDMI out, etc.  I don't have to worry about whether I may or may not need 120/240 fps slow motion recording capability.

Guide: DSLR or Video camera?, Guide: Film/Photo makers' useful resources, Guide: Lenses, a quick primer

Nikon D4, Nikon D800E, Fuji X-E2, Canon G16, Gopro Hero 3+, iPhone 5s. Hasselblad 500C/M, Sony PXW-FS7

ICT Consultant, Photographer, Video producer, Scuba diver and underwater explorer, Nature & humanitarian documentary producer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×