Sony took inspiration from anti-seismic Japanese buildings to make the A7II 5 axis system!
The A7II 5 axis mechanism in pieces. Image courtesy: Lesnumeriques.
Reminder: A7II will ship tomorrow in USA. Preorder it here at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore.
Lesnumerqiues has been told by Sony engineers how the Sony A7II fixe axis system works. It’s 100% confirmed that lenses with no electronic contact to the A7II will get the 3 axis and not the full 5 axis stabilization.
Sony also explained to Lesnumerique that the Olympus E-m1 5 axis system is not powerful and precise enough for a 4 times larger sensor. The Olympus version has a mechanical spring which “loses its elasticity with age”. Sony’s solution uses coils and magnets which also have the advantage that it uses less energy and is also very quite than the Olympus version (note that Olympus E-M1 stabilization is quite noisy).
In detail Sony’s A7II stabilization mechanism uses three coils and magnets points (in red on the image above) and a ball bearing system (in green on the image above) which is directly inspired by anti-seismic protection devices used on many buildings in Japan! There is no image of the ball bearing system so here is one of those used by the buildings:
Source mceer.buffalo.edu
I think it gives us a very clear idea of how it works! Now wondering what else those crazy genius Sony engineers have in their mind for the future! Great job guys!
One more thing: Mark Galer extended his 5 axis stabilization how to videos:
USA/Canada preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore and Sony Store Canada.
Sony Alpha a7II with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore.
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto.
EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Sony Germany, Sony UK, Jessops UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Spain, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Portugal, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Norway.
Sony Alpha a7II with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany, Wex UK, Jessops UK, Verkkokauppa.
Asian/Australia preorders:
Sony A7II at Sony Store Australia and Amazon Japan.