Handier option for full-frame camera

A Sony Alpha 7 II full-frame mirror-less camera is equipped with a Sonnar T FE 35 mm F2.8 ZA lens. / Korea Times photo by Yoon Sung-won

By Yoon Sung-won

Smaller, lighter mirror-less cameras are increasingly replacing digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

Sony is leading this shift in the market, improving public recognition over mirror-less cameras not only for their portability but also for optical and technological capability ― the most basic camera elements.

At the forefront of Sony's campaign is a full-frame mirror-less camera “Alpha 7 II.”

This reporter tried the mirror-less camera and a Sonnar T FE 35 mm F2.8 ZA lens, provided by Sony Korea. It seemed its functions and specifications were satisfactory for both amateur and professional photographers.

Above all, the Alpha 7 II is smaller, thinner and lighter than any other full-frame digital lens interchangeable camera. Its magnesium-alloy body weighs 556 g. This is 140 g heavier than its predecessor Alpha 7, but it felt much lighter than this reporter's Canon 6D which weighs 680 g. Canon 6D is the lightest full-frame DSLR camera so far.

Because it is a “mirror-less” camera, Alpha 7 II has an electric view finder (EVF) instead of an optical view finder. Its EVF produced seamless digital images with 2.36 million pixels and was substitutable for an optical one.

Alpha 7 II also did not show noticeable shutter lag problem during the trial. Shutter lag refers to a delay between pressing a camera shutter and actual photo-taking, and is considered as the biggest shortcoming of mirror-less cameras compared with high-end DSLR cameras.

Alongside its fast-tracking autofocus and noise reduction, Alpha 7 II has anti-vibration technology called “5-axis image stabilization.” This quickens the system response and focus accuracy, producing clear images without a blur, even in dark places.

The device also has Sony's leading video technology and supports improved file compression for high-quality 4K video recording.

Lens options, prices come as weakness

Though Alpha 7 II's body price ― about 1.8 million won ― seems relatively nexpensive among full-frame digital cameras, users still need to buy additional lenses.

Sony's mirror-less camera lens lineup is the largest among other makers. But the lens lineup seems incomplete compared with the DSLR lens options of Canon and Nikon. Also, Sony's premium lens products made jointly by Carl Zeiss are expensive and this offsets the price advantage of Alpha 7 II.

The body weight may also seem a bit heavy for those who are looking for a new camera instead of their smartphone.

There are much lighter lens interchangeable cameras, which are not full-frame models, such as Canon's 100D in the market. It is recommended that customers consider if this is the right option for their purpose.