Big week in photography! Following announcements by Nikon, Panasonic, and Canon, Sony has announced a new body in the high-resolution full frame α7R line and a new super-telephoto G Master zoom. Read on for more on the Alpha 7R VI and the FE 100–400mm f/4.5 GM OSS. Both the new body and new lens are expected to be available in early June of this year, but (as always) it is highly recommended that you place a pre-order to ensure a place among the first to receive them. Click the links below or visit one of our brick and mortar stores to do so!
Alpha 7R VI
The real stand-out feature on the Alpha 7R VI is a bit technical: for the first time in the 7R series, the sensor is fully stacked. BSI CMOS chips moved the wiring from the front to the back, gaining about a stop’s improvement in noisiness, while stacked chips are married with the processor’s DRAM for ultra-fast signal processing. (Engineers, let me know if I got off-base with that gloss.) This is the technology that enables things like the Alpha 7R VI‘s 30 fps blackout-free burst mode with full AF/AE. A little techy, but when you experience it, you can tell the difference.
That Exmor RS sensor is 66.8 MP, and the processor with which it’s so cozy is the mighty BIONZ XR2. Readout speeds compared to the Alpha 7R V‘s setup are up to 5.6 times faster, which I think is pretty objectively an improvement. RAW processing opportunities are also quite powerful (note that some do have to be run through the desktop app): composite RAW modes including Pixel Shift Multi, NR Shooting, HDR Shooting, Extended Hi-Res up to 270 MP, and more.
The camera is rated as having a dynamic range up to 16 stops wide, and Sony’s single-shot HDR feature, D-Range Optimizer, is up to Lv8 now. Native ISO runs from 100–32,000, but is expandable to 50–102,400 for still images. Interestingly, Sony notes that the automatic white balance utilizes deep learning and a visible + IR sensor to provide natural color in almost any scene.
Maximum video quality is 8K 30p 4:2:2 1-bit with 8.2K oversampling. Not bad! For high framerates, you’ll have to drop to 4K, but you can capture up to 120p with a slight crop of the sensor (or 60p no crop)… and up to 120 minutes at a time, at that, per Sony testing. Pretty impressive for a high-res, studio-oriented body! Audio processing is no slouch, either, offering that all-important 32bit float.
As far as keeping on track goes, a 9.44M-dot OLED viewfinder with ultra-wide gamut will help you lock on to your desired subject. From there, Sony delivers the usual impressive autofocus performance, with intelligent Real-Time Recognition tracking AF for Human, Animal, Bird, Insect, Car, Train, Airplane, and Auto modes. The AF uses 759 Phase Detection points to cover about 94% of the frame, and IBIS rated for up to 8.5 stops of shake protection helps support a crisp result.
Noteworthy I/O include dual CFexpress Type A/SDXC combo card slots and two USB-C ports. For exhaustively detailed specifications and to secure your spot in line, click here now!
Sample image
FE 100–400mm f/4.5 GM OSS
Next up, we have the FE 100–400mm f/4.5 GM OSS. It’s an obvious pick for shooting wildlife, birds, sports, and any situation you can only capture from afar (or would perhaps prefer it so—think journalism). Expected: breathtaking G Master sharpness across the frame and through the range—it’s a G Master, hello! More specifically, ED XA, XA, Super ED, and ED elements join forces to craft excellent bokeh and purge chromatic aberrations. This new version makes the maximum f/4.5 aperture constant throughout the range, in addition to other improvements.
The AF system (driven by four XD Linear Motors) is on point, hush-hush, and super-speedy, equal to highly active subjects. Advanced stabilization (OSS) supports here, as well as an internal zoom mechanism keeping the lens’ form constant and dependable. The frame is rugged, yet light and compact (especially considering the constant f/4.5 maximum aperture) thanks to magnesium parts and careful engineering.
Comprehensive rings, buttons, and switches, as well as a rear filter slot, should easily meet any professional’s need for control (optically, at least). Bonus: the range is extendable up to 800mm with optional teleconverter (1.4x or 2.0x). This one will maximize the capabilities of even the most advanced E-mount bodies—what are you waiting for?
