Sony a7RII on-sensor PDAF Works “Very Well” with Canon Lenses via Metabones Adapter

The new Sony Alpha a7RII flagship full frame mirrorless camera’s on-sensor phase-detection AF works “very well” with Canon EF lenses via Metabones Adapter, according to DPReview Administrators.

From dpreview:

By Rishi Sanyal

Agreed. PDAF works with Canon lenses via Metabones adapter, and A-mount lenses via the LA-E3. We’re checking to see if you actually get the full AF coverage with subject tracking, but for now, consider our minds blown.

By Barney Britton

It works, and it works very well. And yes, I just saw it demonstrated.

From Sony Press release

AF with A-mount and third-party lenses

Sony says the on-sensor phase-detection AF can be used with A-mount lenses using the simpler LA-E3 adapter, rather than the LA-E4 that had an SLT mechanism built in. At the press launch in New York we even got a glimpse of the a7R II autofocusing Canon EF lenses using a Metabones electronic adapter. Focus appeared to be on par with OVF focus on a native Canon body, and the AF experience itself didn’t appear to be limited simply because you’re using a third party lens (full coverage and tracking are available).

On-sensor phase detection elements cover 45% of the sensor, which may sound small but actually translates to around 67% coverage in each direction. While this is some way behind level of coverage offered on Samsung’s NX1 (or even Sony’s APS-C cameras), it’s still a considerably larger area than that covered by any full frame DSLR’s focus sensor.

It also gains an electronic first curtain shutter option to eliminate shutter vibration, which was a problem with the original a7R at longer focal lengths. It also offers a fully electronic silent shutter.

Sony Alpha a7RII Mirrorless Camera features the world’s first full-frame 42.4-megapixel Exmor R back-illuminated structure CMOS sensor. This sensor design both improves low-light operation and speeds up data throughout, enabling fast high-resolution stills and UHD 4K video recording. Working with the BIONZ X image processor, these images can be produced at sensitivities up to ISO 102,400 and at a continuous 5 fps shooting rate.

Sony Alpha a7RII body is priced at $3,198.00, and it will be released on June 17, 2015. You can pre-order Sony Alpha a7RII camera at B&H Photo, Adorama.

Follow Sony Alpha a7RII on Facebook: