The Sony A7r II is a monster of a camera. Pegged as the world’s first back-illuminated 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor with 42.4 megapixels, the A7r II offers up to ISO 102400 and 5-axis image stabilization with native 4K video. Of course none of this means the A7r II is the perfect camera. For one, the camera lacks a Full HD slow motion videos or flip out screen like other Alpha cameras. After the jump, Sony US manager Mark Weir offers up an explanation to those and other questions.

On the topic of 10-Bit video

 The inability to shoot 10-bit is because of the processor. The BIONZ X processor in the Alpha series cameras can’t actually process anything past 8-bit 422. 

Slow motion video compared to Panasonic GH4

 Well, the GH4 is bigger (if you can believe it, yes it totally is bigger than the Alpha series cameras) and therefore their issues with thermal management (which, if you read around you’ll find is a common complaint even with the newer, beefier bodies found in the a7 and a7R II) are not nearly as extreme. Also, Sony has added that internal sensor stabilizer, meaning they’ve got even less room to use in that tiny body than you might think. And then of course you look at Panasonic’s processor, which however it works, manages to do the things the Sony one cannot, given the size of the sensor and the heat situation with the body. 

Flip out LCD screen

 believed that the compactness of the camera trumped the space it would take to add a hinge and provide a full flip-out screen. 

Mark has a lot more interesting thoughts on the A7r II which can be found via the source link. It’s always worth noting that no one camera will ever provide all the features we want. There will always be tradeoffs with one unit ultimately doing something better than another model. Instead when it comes to shopping for a camera, while the topics discussed above are interesting, you should instead focus on what’s important to you. A novice photographer myself, I can tell you that none of the ‘lacking’ options mentioned above would hamper my excitement or desire for the camera as that’s not how I would be using the A7r II. What does hamper my excitement for the camera, albeit justified, is its $3,200 price tag. I think I’ll be sticking with my NEX-5R for just a bit longer.

Discuss:

Do you think the Sony A7r II is lacking any features you’d want?

[Via ResourceMagOnline]