A7RII (or A9) coming in two weeks from now?

I want to see if they add a better AF system to the A7R. That would get me to think about upgrading. Good thing i recently built a power house PC. 50 MP ! Whoooo!!!!

David Arbogast wrote in post #17389671
There are sufficient native FE lens models for your needs? I'm not sure if that's true for me, but I'm working on it.

My wishlist for the a9 or a7R II is a bit longer than improved AF, although that would indeed be a fantastic improvement:
1. It has to have an electronic first curtain shutter.
2. No shutter lag.
3. It needs a silent shutter (like in a7S).
4. Around 50MP. 36MP is really just fine - but I can leverage 50MP as a way of compensating for a lack of native tilt-shift lenses. The extra resolution is needed for the excessive cropping required.
5. A full 14 bit non-lossy compressed raw file.
6. Better AEB options (user-definable like in typical Canon/Nikon DSLRs).
7. Cutting edge new sensor technology. IBIS like a7 II would be OK, or something really cool, like a curved sensor, or a non-Bayer sensor. I would trade resolution for a major step in sensor design.
8. Two SD slots for redundant image recording.
9. In-camera 4K recording. This is not critical (right now), but if Panasonic's GH4, Samsung NX1, or even a lowly GoPro can do 4K internal recording, then why can't the a9 (or whatever it's called)?

I realize I am going to be partly disappointed. After all they have to save some goodies for next year's a9 II (or a7R III).

Actually, since I already own an a7R, the camera I want the most right now is an a7S, or perhaps an a7S II (IBIS with a modest bump in resolution would be super). I too want to go all-in with the Sony FE ecosystem, but the zoom lenses speak to an inherent limitation with that ecosystem: smaller/lighter cameras go best with smaller/lighter lenses. F/4 zoom lenses are indeed smaller, but they're a stop slower than preferable for many scenarios. And that's where it can be so nice to have a camera, like the a7S, that performs beautifully at ISO 12800 or even 25600. So, I am very much keen on the notion that to replace my 5D III I want a pair of Sony cameras that can serve varying needs: a7R (or a9 or a7R II) for low ISO work and a7S (or a7S II) for high ISO lowlight needs.

A7s upgrade with 16-18 mp would be PHENOMENAL!

vipergts831 wrote in post #17400793
A7s upgrade with 16-18 mp would be PHENOMENAL!

Meanwhile, per SAR today, the a7S is now available for $1999. As the a7S gets priced lower I'll have a dilemma: wait for an a7S II or go ahead and get the good-enough a7S for less. There are only two or three killer things that could make me really want an a7S II: 1. same high-ISO performance at greater resolution (16-18MP), or 2. same resolution, but even greater high-ISO performance, or 3. internal 4K recording. I'm not sure any of those things are likely just a year later. I can imagine an a7S II that's basically the same thing as the a7 II (new body, IBIS, same sensor). And if that's what makes an a7S II, then I'll probably prefer to spend less and get the original a7S.

The SAR-reported lower price is tempting - http://www.sonyalpharu​mors.com …ow-sells-for-1999-in-usa/ - but I need to hold off until all the February announcements have been made. It will be very interesting to see the specs for the upcoming a7R II (or a9).

David Arbogast wrote in post #17401203
Meanwhile, per SAR today, the a7S is now available for $1999. As the a7S gets priced lower I'll have a dilemma: wait for an a7S II or go ahead and get the good-enough a7S for less. There are only two or three killer things that could make me really want an a7S II: 1. same high-ISO performance at greater resolution (16-18MP), or 2. same resolution, but even greater high-ISO performance, or 3. internal 4K recording. I'm not sure any of those things are likely just a year later. I can imagine an a7S II that's basically the same thing as the a7 II (new body, IBIS, same sensor). And if that's what makes an a7S II, then I'll probably prefer to spend less and get the original a7S.

The SAR-reported lower price is tempting - http://www.sonyalpharu​mors.com …ow-sells-for-1999-in-usa/ - but I need to hold off until all the February announcements have been made. It will be very interesting to see the specs for the upcoming a7R II (or a9).

Im in your same boat. If A7sII only has new body and IBIS then i will pass and pick up a second hand A7s. If same MP but higher ISO (jeez that would be ridiculous! It would make 52k ISO easily usabale. That is insane.) i would get the original A7s for my needs i wouldnt need more than that. An MP boost and same iso? Dream scenario.

David Arbogast wrote in post #17401203
Meanwhile, per SAR today, the a7S is now available for $1999. As the a7S gets priced lower I'll have a dilemma: wait for an a7S II or go ahead and get the good-enough a7S for less. There are only two or three killer things that could make me really want an a7S II: 1. same high-ISO performance at greater resolution (16-18MP), or 2. same resolution, but even greater high-ISO performance, or 3. internal 4K recording. I'm not sure any of those things are likely just a year later. I can imagine an a7S II that's basically the same thing as the a7 II (new body, IBIS, same sensor). And if that's what makes an a7S II, then I'll probably prefer to spend less and get the original a7S.

The SAR-reported lower price is tempting - http://www.sonyalpharu​mors.com …ow-sells-for-1999-in-usa/ - but I need to hold off until all the February announcements have been made. It will be very interesting to see the specs for the upcoming a7R II (or a9).

I hope it won't be option 1 because then I will be torn between the A7II and A7SII (especially if they add IBIS and use the same body as the A7II). But the phase detection AF points on the A7II are a plus too.

David Arbogast wrote in post #17401203
Meanwhile, per SAR today, the a7S is now available for $1999. As the a7S gets priced lower I'll have a dilemma: wait for an a7S II or go ahead and get the good-enough a7S for less. There are only two or three killer things that could make me really want an a7S II: 1. same high-ISO performance at greater resolution (16-18MP), or 2. same resolution, but even greater high-ISO performance, or 3. internal 4K recording. I'm not sure any of those things are likely just a year later. I can imagine an a7S II that's basically the same thing as the a7 II (new body, IBIS, same sensor). And if that's what makes an a7S II, then I'll probably prefer to spend less and get the original a7S.

The SAR-reported lower price is tempting - http://www.sonyalpharu​mors.com …ow-sells-for-1999-in-usa/ - but I need to hold off until all the February announcements have been made. It will be very interesting to see the specs for the upcoming a7R II (or a9).

Yeh hold off until everyone puts their cards on the table.... I doubt Canon will release anything that rivals what Sony is offering in terms of innovation but I would love to see them try. The price wont go up on the a7s so wait a little until you make your choice... Thats what Im doing. In the meantime just keep saving $$ so when the time comes money wont be a variable in the equation... Just what camera is best for you.

jocau wrote in post #17401236
I hope it won't be option 1 because then I will be torn between the A7II and A7SII (especially if they add IBIS and use the same body as the A7II). But the phase detection AF points on the A7II are a plus too.

Literally every comparison I could find said the a7S has the best performing AF of all the a7 cameras... I wouldn't put too much weight onto the phase detection points

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #17402612
Literally every comparison I could find said the a7S has the best performing AF of all the a7 cameras... I wouldn't put too much weight onto the phase detection points

I haven't read that so far, but for tracking those phase detection AF points on the A7II should be superior to the contrast detection AF points on the A7S.

jocau wrote in post #17402653
I haven't read that so far, but for tracking those phase detection AF points on the A7II should be superior to the contrast detection AF points on the A7S.

I wouldn't count on any a7 to track most things well, but for static subjects I've read that the a7S is the best of the bunch due to the extra sensitivity of the sensor and thus all the AF points. I've seen it in reviews and from members in the Sony section who own both. I'd say I would give you my first hand experience once I can sell the a7R and get the a7S... but I don't have any E mount lenses yet to compare with

http://www.stevehuffph​oto.com …camera-review-wow-period/

I'm certain I read it in a couple other reviews too, but I could be mistaken. I know for sure though that I've heard that from a few members. Either camera is perfectly up to the task for AF on static or slowly moving subjects though.

phase detect in good light should do much better tracking wise. My a7r does a horrendous job at tracking, even in bright sunny conditions. I think that's the nature of contrast detect.

I use BBAF, and the continuous tracking is pretty horrible. With a DSLR, servor + BBAF = match made in heaven, however, the same doesnt work so well with the a7r. It tends to continually refocus, but with large slower movements. It's an easy way to get OOF shots. I'de like to try the phase detect to see if it's that bad, otherwise I'de just stick with one shot and manual focus action shots.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #17402689
I wouldn't count on any a7 to track most things well, but for static subjects I've read that the a7S is the best of the bunch due to the extra sensitivity of the sensor and thus all the AF points. I've seen it in reviews and from members in the Sony section who own both. I'd say I would give you my first hand experience once I can sell the a7R and get the a7S... but I don't have any E mount lenses yet to compare with

http://www.stevehuffph​oto.com …camera-review-wow-period/

I'm certain I read it in a couple other reviews too, but I could be mistaken. I know for sure though that I've heard that from a few members. Either camera is perfectly up to the task for AF on static or slowly moving subjects though.

This weekend I put the A7II AF tracking through the ringer at the beach with my friends dog. I will post some samples but in good light with the subject moving sideways or diagonal it was very good. It did struggle when the dog was running straight at me but then again the dog is very fast so it has to make huge adjustments every frame. A person walking would likely be no problem.

Canon-Sony partnership on new 50MP sensor?

This could be an interesting development to say the least. http://www.sonyalpharu​mors.com …rship-on-new-50mp-sensor/

On the one hand that seems unlikely (seems unlikely Canon will ever put a Sony sensor in their DSLRs). But, it does seem very coincidental that we're seeing strong rumors that Canon and Sony will both be announcing 50+ MP cameras soon, so maybe......

Decisions Decisions!

I already have the A7r and the A7S - very happy with both, but I am intrigued by what might be next from Sony.

I may sit this round out though, as I'm very content with the 5D3 and Sony A7 trio.

Todd Lambert wrote in post #17406016
Decisions Decisions!

I already have the A7r and the A7S - very happy with both, but I am intrigued by what might be next from Sony.

I may sit this round out though, as I'm very content with the 5D3 and Sony A7 trio.

Oh, that is great to hear Todd. You see I have some strong interest in adding an a7S to my kit and it's nice to learn that you are very happy with it. Does it do great things for your twilight photography?