The Sony A7S camera, reviewed in this article, debuted on the domestic market in 2014. The model has become a logical continuation of the line of full-frame devices from this manufacturer, which made a real revolution in its segment a year earlier, becoming the most compact cameras in it. This time around, Japanese developers have managed to revolutionize how mirrorless photography can be done in extremely low light conditions.
Design
Externally, the novelty is very similar to its predecessors - models A7 and A7R. The dimensions of the case, made of magnesium alloy, are 126, 9x94, 4x48, 2 mm. The device weighs 446 grams. Thus, at the time of its introduction to the market, the Sony A7S camera became the most compact full-frame interchangeable lens camera on the planet. Created in a retro style, the model looks and feels like a very expensive thing. In fact, that's the way it is. The case has a headphone jack and a stereo microphone. On the back side you can find an LCD display in size threeinch, equipped with a swivel mechanism, as well as a viewfinder with a resolution of 2.4 million dots.
As evidenced by the numerous reviews left by the owners of the Sony A7S model, certain inconveniences arise when shooting video. This is due to the fact that the screen is not touch sensitive, which is a little disappointing in such an expensive camera.
Optics
Before buying this kind of cameras, experts recommend checking the range of optics that are provided for it. The choice of full-frame lenses for this model, as of today, can be called very scarce. The Zeiss 24-70 mm f/4 is the most interesting lens on the market today. It's great for taking photos and videos, but it's quite expensive. It is not entirely advisable to use third-party lenses here, since special adapters are required to install them, for which you also need to pay. In addition, in such cases, optical stabilization and the speed of auto focus usually suffer. A-mount lenses could be another way out, but they are distinguished by their large weight and dimensions, in connection with which the compactness of the camera is leveled. One can only hope that the high demand for the model will lead the Japanese to increase the range of FE lenses in the near future.
Matrix
The Sony A7S is equipped with a full-frame 35mm 12.2 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. She boasts just phenomenalsensitivity. In particular, the ISO size when taking photos is in the range from 50 to 409600, and when creating videos - from 100 to 409600. At the same time, one cannot fail to note the rather low noise level. Compared to many other full-frame consumer-grade cameras, the model has a slightly larger pixel size. In other words, this means that each point is able to collect more light.
Management
To adjust the most important exposure functions (aperture, shutter speed and ISO), the Sony A7S has three dials. Most of the buttons can be programmed to perform alternative functions. In the most easily accessible and convenient places, the developers have installed shortcut keys to the most important quick access settings. A significant drawback here is that the shutter button has no tangible feedback. When the electronic shutter is on, there is no sound signal, so the user may not know that the device has started shooting. For some reason, the button for direct video recording is located rather inconveniently, which is very strange for a device positioned as a camera for creating videos.
Image quality
As noted above, the camera has a matrix of 12.2 megapixels. In this regard, photos taken with the Sony A7S can be printed in good resolution even on A-4 sheets. At the same time, with its further increase, the quality of images significantly improves.is lost. For users who are not used to printing photos, the only downside will be the limited options associated with cropping them. Be that as it may, very few people use this function often. In all other respects, there are no special complaints about the quality of the pictures.
Real delight is the ability of this camera to shoot in low light conditions. In terms of detail and noise, the model outperforms the overwhelming majority of competitors in its class. The photosensitivity of the device was discussed in more detail earlier. Not surprisingly, the camera offers great flexibility when shooting photos and videos. Thus, the user does not need to constantly carry additional equipment, which, however, does not always have a positive effect.
Video shooting
Now a few words about creating videos using the Sony A7S. The characteristics of the device allow you to shoot videos in 1080p or 720p resolutions. At the same time, the frame rate in these modes is different. If in the first case their number per second is 24, 30 or 60, then in the second - 120. In order to record in 4K format, you need to purchase external media, since it does not provide for the possibility of saving information to internal storage. Be that as it may, there are no restrictions associated with other modes. Moreover, the quality of the recorded videos is at a very high level. Feedback from the owners of the device indicates that the picture is clear and crystal clear, andThere are no moiré patterns typical of ordinary consumer cameras. According to representatives of the manufacturer, this was achieved largely through the use of the XAVC codec.
Mainly focused on video shooting, the Sony A7S model is made not only by hardware characteristics, but also by software capabilities. One of its most interesting features in this regard is the presence of color profiles, thanks to which you can make high-quality correction of the resulting material.
Ergonomics and operation
The high quality materials that are used in the manufacture of the camera can be felt from the very first touch. Thanks to the compact size of the body and the standard lens, the device can be worn without straining all day. On the handle there is a protrusion convenient for the thumb, thanks to which the device fits comfortably even in one hand. However, when using larger lenses adapted from other models, the impression of some imbalance is created.
According to feedback from Sony A7S owners, the model is poorly protected from the surprises of weather and dust, and is also not quite suitable for normal use in extreme conditions compared to similar devices in its price segment.
Autonomy
The device comes standard with two rechargeable batteries. This is due to the fact that in this model, compared to SLR digital cameras, they sit down quite quickly. Owner reviews indicatethat a full charge of one battery is enough for an average of 525 shots. You can charge the camera with a compact and handy charger or directly with the micro USB port, which is very convenient when traveling.
Overall impression
Summarizing, it should be noted that the model has many advantages and some disadvantages compared to other representatives of its class. Be that as it may, people who want to get something better than Canon's popular full-frame cameras for about the same money should definitely pay attention to this device. At the time of its birth, it could boast of a good margin for the future, especially if its owner had the opportunity to spend several hundred dollars on an external drive to record 4K videos. Today, the Sony A7S can be called a worthy compromise option for those who care about both photo and video shooting.
