The Sony Alpha a7 II is the Cheap Full Frame Camera You Need
- Sony Alpha a7 II: Overview
- Sony Alpha a7 II: Design & Handling
- Sony Alpha a7 II: Imaging Capabilities
- Sony Alpha a7 II: Video Capabilities
- Recommended Lenses for the Sony Alpha a7 II
- Final Thoughts on the Sony Alpha a7 II
- Camera Type: Mirrorless Camera
- Sensor: 24.3MP Full-Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 25,600 (expandable to 50 - 25,600)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 5.0 fps
- Autofocus: 117 focus points
- Video: 1080p @ 24p, 30p, & 60p
- Size/Weight: 127 x 96 x 60 mm / 599 grams
- Battery Life: 350 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: No
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Sony Alpha a7 II Price: $629 - $694
- Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Zeiss Sonnar T*
- Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G
- Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar T*
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
Welcome to our Sony Alpha a7 II review, where we’ll explain why it’s the best cheap full-frame camera available in 2024. We’ll break down its design, handling, photo and video performance, lens compatibility, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used Sony full-frame mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative online platform that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by expert product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
MPB stands out because of how quickly and easily you can buy, sell, and trade used gear directly on its online platform. We have used it to upgrade our photography kits for years, and it has helped us save thousands of dollars along the way. If you want to do the same, visit their website today. Now, let’s discover everything there is to know about the Sony Alpha a7 II.
Check out the video above by GivemChills to learn more about the Sony Alpha a7 II and why you should still buy one.
Table of Contents
Sony Alpha a7 II: Overview
The still-popular Sony Alpha a7 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera that has been around for ten years. It debuted in 2014 and features a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor and a Bionz X image processor. At the time of its release, it replaced the original Sony a7, and in the years since, it has been supplanted by the a7 III and a7 IV.
The Sony a7 II is the perfect first full-frame camera for beginner photographers and a great backup camera for professionals who primarily shoot with newer Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras like the a7R V and a9 III. Strengths include its phase-detection autofocus, wide dynamic range, and hybrid photo/video capabilities.
Now, here’s a more in-depth look at the Sony Alpha a7 II specs and key features:
Sony Alpha a7 II: Design & Handling
While the Sony Alpha a7 II is on the large side compared to your average mirrorless cameras, it’s still way smaller than DSLR cameras, making it a solid choice for travel, landscape, and adventure photography. Moreover, its body is weather-sealed to protect it in outdoor environments from rain, moisture, dust, etc.
Other highlightable design features include a large electronic viewfinder, multiple exposure control dials, various customizable buttons, and a tilting rear LCD screen. One omission from the a7 II to keep in mind is that it doesn’t have a touchscreen. However, we don’t consider that a deal breaker for most people.
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Sony Alpha a7 II: Imaging Capabilities
The Sony Alpha a7 II is, first and foremost, a camera built for still photography. It captures sharp, high-resolution images regardless of whether you are shooting JPEG or RAW files. One thing to note is that JPEGs will look sharper and have bolder colors straight out of the camera. However, RAW files are better suited for editing due to their deeper dynamic range.
Another photography feature is the five frames per second burst shooting. While this continuous shooting speed can’t compete with top-of-the-line cameras, it gets the job done when shooting slower-moving subjects. It’s a good camera for portrait photography, but if you are looking for a budget-friendly camera for sports or action photography, we recommend the Sony a9.
Sony Alpha a7 II: Video Capabilities
Although the Sony Alpha a7 II is a hybrid camera, video is not one of its biggest strengths. For starters, it lacks 4K video capabilities, which are now commonplace on modern mirrorless cameras. That being said, its 1080p Full HD video quality is excellent. It can record uncropped Full HD footage at 24, 30, and 60 frames per second.
For YouTubers and social media influencers who only shoot in 1080p, the Sony a7 II is a wonderful camera. For instance, you can send video clips directly to your mobile devices via built-in Bluetooth. Also, the camera's built-in image stabilization makes handheld videos smoother and sharper.
Recommended Lenses for the Sony Alpha a7 II
Here’s a quick list of some of the best Sony lenses for photos and video that you can use with the Sony Alpha a7 II.
Final Thoughts on the Sony Alpha a7 II
The Sony Alpha a7 II’s attractive price makes it a fantastic option for budget photographers who prefer full-frame cameras over crop-sensor cameras. Furthermore, for an older camera, its image quality is still competitive with newer DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
Lastly, before you go, here are a few more of today’s most popular Sony full-frame and Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras. You can compare and contrast them with the Sony a7 II to help you choose the ideal next camera for your creative needs and budget. All the cameras below are in stock and on sale now at MPB!
Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
