Sony A7 II Image Quality Analysis: Is the A7 successor still the king of sub-$2000 full-frame cameras?

 

 

Sony shocked the world with the A7 and A7R -- compact ILCs with large, full-frame sensors. They also shocked with strikingly impressive image quality, and took top honors in our 2013 Camera of the Year awards. The affordable "entry-level" sibling of the now-trio of A7-series cameras is back for it's "Mark II" version, and we've now published our full Sony A7 II Image Quality Comparison as well as our Print Quality Analysis. 

Not surprisingly, given that the Sony A7II boasts the same 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor and beefy BIONZ X image processor, the image quality of the updated A7 II looks practically identical to its predecessor. And that's not a bad thing! The A7 produced stunning images that printed quite well image at very large sizes. So, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And apparently that's what Sony was thinking in terms of image quality on the new A7 II.

Between the time of the A7 and and introduction of the A7 II, other manufacturers have come along with upgrades of their own or new kids on the block have come out with competitive models. With the new A7 II Image Quality Comparison, we've paired it up against the original model as well as the stalwart affordable full-frame Canon 6D and the updated Nikon D610. We've also put it head to head with big players in the APS-C game, namely the popular Fujifilm X-T1 and the high-resolution, high-performance Samsung NX1. 

Of course, on-screen image quality is all fine and good, but we also like to see how well cameras look in the "real world" and have thus completed our Sony A7II Print Quality Analysis. Just like the A7 before it, the A7 II's files can create some impressive prints.

Here's a sneak-peek at one of the tables from our comparison page beside the Canon 6D:

Sony A7 II at ISO 1600	Canon 6D at ISO 1600

• Sony A7 II Image Quality Comparison •

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