Sony has announced a new addition to its Alpha 7 line-up, the α7S, which features a specially developed, 12.2-megapixel full-frame 35mm Exmor CMOS image sensor that can output 4K HDMI video.
Angled view of the new Sony ?7S with the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* 24-70mm lens. (Source: Sony.)
With a 12.2 effective megapixel count, the size of the photoreceptive sites is significantly boosted to increase their light-gathering power. The camera’s BIONZ X processing engine reduces image noise while increasing effective sensitivity range of the ?7S to ISO 50 to ISO 409600 in expanded mode (ISO 200 to 409600 for movies). Using data read-out from every pixel on the 35mm full-frame sensor (24p and 25p), the new camera is capable of full pixel read-out without pixel binning. This results in superior image detail and colour reproduction.
The BIONZ X processor can deliver a high-speed data stream that allows the ?7S to output video at 4K resolution from the HDMI connector with 4:2:2 colour sampling, for recording onto an external storage device or viewing on a compatible monitor. The ?7S also includes professional video functions like XAVC S Full HD recording at 50Mbps, time code and optional XLR audio inputs. It can also output Full HD video with XAVC S recording format at the 50Mbps data rate that is highly regarded by professional videographers.
In APS-C crop mode, the ?7S supports high frame rate shooting at 120fps or 100fps with HD resolution (1280 x 720 pixels). The 120fps footage can be played back at 24p for a 5x slow-motion effect. Other professional features include Picture Profile for wide ranging visual expression and S-Log2 gamma. Time code/user bit functions allow pro-style editing workflow, while an optional XLR Adaptor Microphone Kit supports high-quality audio acquisition.
The illustration above shows the ?7S in use for video recording. (Source: Sony.)
The Fast Intelligent AF function from the ?7R has been improved to fully exploit the new camera’s extraordinary low-light performance as low as EV-4. Other features familiar to ?7 users include a high-contrast XGA OLED Tru-Finder, Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity and compatibility with the growing range of downloadable PlayMemories Camera Apps. These features make the ?7S equally suitable for still photography and cost-conscious movie production. It is also the smallest body of any full-frame interchangeable-lens digital camera in the world.
Sony is striving to expand the range of E-mount lenses that can take advantage of the camera’s creative potential. Currently under development, a brand-new full frame E-mount power zoom 28-135mm, F4 lens appeals to quality-conscious movie-makers. In addition, Sony is collaboratively working with third parties to support pro-quality 4K video workflow. A new XLR adaptor kit with a direct attachment mechanism is also under development.
According to overseas press releases, the new ?7S full-frame interchangeable lens digital camera from Sony is scheduled for release in mid-2014. Australian pricing and availability of the ?7S will be announced at a future date. Details of the new camera will be posted at www.sony.com.au.
Key specifications (Sourced from Sony Europe)
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General |
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Lens mount |
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? E-mount |
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Image sensor |
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Type |
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35mm full frame (35.6 x 23.8mm), Exmor CMOS sensor |
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Number of pixels (effective) |
Approx. 12.2 megapixels |
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Recording system (still images) |
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Recording format |
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JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format) |
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RAW output |
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14 bit |
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Recording system (movies) |
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Recording format |
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XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4 |
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Video compression |
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XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
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AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
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MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
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Audio recording format |
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XAVC S: LPCM, 2ch |
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AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator |
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MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch |
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Image size (pixels) |
1080 60i compatible device |
XAVC S: 1920 x 1080 (60p/50Mbps, 30p/50Mbps, 24p/50Mbps), 1280 x 720 (120p/50Mbps) |
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AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (60p/28Mbps/PS, 60i/24Mbps/FX, 60i/17Mbps/FH, 24p/24Mbps/FX, 24p/17Mbps/FH) |
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MP4: 1440 x 1080 (30fps/12Mbps), 640 x 480 (30fps/3Mbps) |
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1080 50i compatible device |
XAVC S: 1920 x 1080 (50p/50Mbps, 25p/50Mbps, 24p/50Mbps), 1280 x 720 (100p/50Mbps) |
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AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (50p/28Mbps/PS, 50i/24Mbps/FX, 50i/17Mbps/FH, 25p/24Mbps/FX, 25p/17Mbps/FH) |
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MP4: 1440 x 1080 (25fps/12Mbps), 640 x 480 (25fps/3Mbps) |
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Movie functions |
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Audio Level Display, Audio Rec Level, Auto Slow Shutter, HDMI info. Display (On/Off selectable), Time Code/User Bit, Clean HDMI output for 4K, Picture Profile, Creative Style, Picture Effect, Rec Control, Dual Video Rec, Marker Setting |
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Picture Profile |
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Yes (Off / PP1-PP7) Parameters: Black level, Gamma (Movie, Still, Cine1-4, ITU709, ITU709 [800%], S-Log2), Black Gamma, Knee, Colour Mode, Colour Level, Colour Phase, Colour Depth, Detail, Copy, Reset |
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Clean HDMI output |
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Clean HDMI output |
1080 60i compatible device |
3840 ø— 2160(30p/24p) / 1920 ø— 1080(60p/24p) / 1920 ø— 1080(60i),YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit |
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1080 50i compatible device |
3840 ø— 2160(25p) / 1920 ø— 1080(50p) / 1920 ø— 1080(50i),YCbCr 4:2:2 8bit/ RGB 8bit |
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Media |
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Media |
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Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant) |
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Focus system |
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Type |
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Contrast-detection AF` |
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Focus point |
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25 points |
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Sensitivity range |
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EV -4 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached) |
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Exposure control |
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Metering type |
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1200-zone evaluative metering |
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ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) |
Still images: ISO 100-102400, Movies: ISO 200-102400 equivalent (both expandable to 409600) |
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Viewfinder |
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Type |
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XGA OLED, 1.3cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (colour) |
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Total no. of dots |
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2,359,296 dots |
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Field coverage |
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100% |
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Magnification |
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Approx. 0.71x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1) |
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LCD screen |
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Type |
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7.5cm (3.0 type) TFT drive |
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Total number of dots |
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921,600 dots |
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Adjustable angle |
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Up approx. 90 degrees, down approx. 45 degrees |
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Other features |
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Camera Apps |
Yes |
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Interface |
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Wireless LAN (built-in) |
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Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz band)*1 |
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NFCâ„¢ |
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Yes (NFC Forum Type 3 Tag compatible, One-touch remote, One-touch sharing) |
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Multi Interface Shoe |
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Yes |
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HD output |
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HDMI micro connector (Type-D), BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD, 4K still image playback |
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Shutter |
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Type |
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Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type |
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Shutter speed |
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Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec., Bulb |
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Electronic front curtain shutter |
Yes, On/Off |
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Power |
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Battery |
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Rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50 |
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Still images |
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Approx. 320 shots (viewfinder) / approx. 380 shots (LCD screen) (CIPA standard) |
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Movies |
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Actual*2: Approx. 55 min with viewfinder, approx. 60 min with LCD screen (CIPA standard) |
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External power |
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AC Adaptor AC-PW20 (optional) |
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Weight |
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With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo |
Approx. 489g (approx. 1 lb 1.2 oz) |
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Body only |
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Approx. 446g (approx. 15.7 oz) |
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Dimensions |
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W x H x D (excluding protrusions) |
Approx. 126.9 x 94.4 x 48.2mm (approx. 5 x 3 3/4 x 1 15/16 in.) |
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Operating temperature |
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Range |
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32 °-104 °F / 0-40 °C |
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Specifications and features are based on information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice. |
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*1 Configuration method/Access method: WPS or manually/infrastructure mode. When connecting to smartphones, the camera can always work as a base without a wireless access point. (Security: WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK) |
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*2 Indicated recording time is defined by repeating the following cycle: Power on, start recording, zoom, stand-by and power off. |
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*3 Indicated recording time is defined by repeating the following cycle: Pressing the MOVIE button. No other operations such as zoom are performed. |
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