Sony A7 II Available at Amazon US in Just $1,700

The first of the Sony's increasingly increasing line of full-frame interchangeable-lens models, the A7 II (aka the ILCE-A7M2 or A7M2) doesn't incorporate a ton of updates over its predecessor, but the few it does are noteworthy. In the most notable improvement for the A7 II, Sony shifts from optical image stabilization to five-axis sensor-shift in this model. While there's sensor-shift stabilization in Sony's fixed-mirror dSLR-style Alphas, like the A99, the company has been using optical stabilization in all its A7 series cameras until now.

I suspect the problem was getting manufacturers to produce full-frame, stabilized lenses; OIS makes lenses larger, heavier and more expensive, and bigger is not better when you're touting a compact system. This way, you can even attach a lens like the big, heavy Zeiss Otus 85mm f1.4 (with an A-to-FE mount adapter, of course) and still get stabilization. Win.
Another very welcome enhancement is an upgrade to its newer video codec, XAVC S, which supports higher bit-rate encoding for HD video. Sorry, no 4K here -- that's still available only in the A7S. It also adds 1080/30p/25p and all the updated video features, like S-Log2 gamma and time code. Sony also claims improved performance from the autofocus system. The A7 is the only one of the family that uses the hybrid autofocus a combination of phase-detection and contrast AF. And both the autofocus and metering systems have gained a stop of sensitivity at the low-light end. It also ostensibly has a faster startup. I hope so; the Sonys tend to be pretty pokey on power-on.

Physically, the A7 II has a deeper grip and tweaked placement of the controls on the grip, plus improved dust and moisture sealing, making it all a bit larger and heavier than before. There's also more magnesium alloy in the construction; the front element joins the top cover and frame which previously were the only mag-alloy parts. There's one disappointing omission, though; the battery life is still miserable. Sony bumped it up from 340 to 350 shots with the LCD, and it's still only 270 shots with the viewfinder. It's physically a little deeper than before, but that's to be expected with the bulkier sensor mechanism.

   

Sony is first and foremost a technology company, and they are doing things with the A7 series that are currently unequaled. This camera is unique in the marketplace. As of this writing, there's literally nothing else like it from Sony's direct competitors (Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Olympus, Fuji, Pentax). If you want a full frame mirrorless cam (and don't want to trade your car for a Leica), you're getting an A7.

The only question is which A7. The original A7 was named "camera of the year" for cramming a 24MP full frame sensor into a compact mirrorless body. How does Sony top it with the A7ii? By improving ergonomics, focus speed, video capabilities, and delivering a groundbreaking IN BODY image stabilization system - the world's first 5-Axis stabilized full frame sensor. This illustrates a couple of admirable characteristics about Sony's imaging division - they listen to customers, and they relentlessly innovate. When Sony updates a camera (which they do often), they deliver significant design changes that translate to real world improvement.