Sony A7S vs. A77II SLT XAVCS Video Comparison

R

Rdouthit

Active member
With the recent V2.0 Firmware update, the Sony A77II DSLT now shoots XAVC-S video. So I thought a comparison was in order vs. the Sony A7S, a camera I've been using extensively since it shipped earlier this year.

In one corner the $2400 Sony A7S. In the other, Sony's $900 APS-C DSLT, the A77 II (aka A77 Mark 2)

I didn't really have time to shoot this today, so excuse the totally awesome slider shots. Heh. Download the original from Vimeo in ProRes LT format.

https://vimeo.com/114611391
 
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I agree. However, the A77II holds up much better than I had really expected it would. Especially when you consider what a line-skipping mess the previous Sony SLT's were.
 
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thoughts on IBIS?

thoughts on IBIS?

Rdouthit said:
I agree. However, the A77II holds up much better than I had really expected it would. Especially when you consider what a line-skipping mess the previous Sony SLT's were.
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To my video novice eyes, I thought B looked better, so wasn't surprised.

But what do you think about the IBIS in video? Any impressions yet?
 
darrellcraig said:
To my video novice eyes, I thought B looked better, so wasn't surprised.

But what do you think about the IBIS in video? Any impressions yet?
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It uses digital stabilization in video mode. I remember finding it useful when I shot a documentary a couple years ago on the older A77, but those were different times and I haven't yet tried it on this new one.
 
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I think the vehicle looked better in A, but the background looked better in B. The vehicle was too, dark, or something, in B.
 
B looked better all around. A has significantly less resolution, you can see it in the trees even though the scene itself is not particularly challenging for detail or dynamic range.
 
noirist said:
B looked better all around. A has significantly less resolution, you can see it in the trees even though the scene itself is not particularly challenging for detail or dynamic range.
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That particular scene was selected because I specialize in filming automotive and action sports. Those parked shots were murder on the previous A77 and A99 cameras. The grillework and door seams are particular nuisances for line-skipping cameras - usually producing nasty moire and aliasing. This new A77II seems to have finally solved that. The future is looking good for a potential A99 replacement to have decent video. (Fingers crossed for an A99S).
 
A77II looks like a significant improvement over other Sony DSLR's. I didn't peep, but no moire or aliasing jumped out at me. I thought B was the A7s because of the highlight handling and it looked more detailed.

An A99s with internal 4k could take over the world, add to that a Standard A99 and the high MP A99r and Sony could have an earthshaking lineup. IMO the A99 body has great ergonomics, it was just let down by poor IQ on the video side and Sony using the 24mp sensor instead of the 36. It was outdated before it was released by Sony's own superior sensor. Go figure. A-mount interest seems to be waning on the corporate side. The A-mount FF rumors have been floating around for awhile, but we've seen nothing. Most of the corporate energy seems to be expanding the FE lens lineup. Photokina interviews showed the company views mirrorless as the real market share/growth opportunity - hence four FF A7 bodies in a little more than a year. I think Sony has given up trying to make inroads in the DSLR world. I hope that's not the case, but I don't see Sony SLT's for sale anywhere these days. Best Buy was the only place that carried them and the one in my area has nothing. Bummer...
 
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