Sony took the wraps off its successor to its year-old A7 in Japan a few days ago, but today we get the US pricing and availability. It's slated to ship quite soon -- mid-December -- at a cost of $1,700 for the body and $2,000 for the 28-70mm kit. Australia and the UK won't get it till a month later, at AU$2,000 or £1,500 for the body only. The 28-70m kit will be £1,700 in the UK.

The faster, sensor-shift stabilized version of Sony's full-frame interchangeable-lens camera gets US pricing and availability.

The A7 II’s stabilisation sets it apart from every other full-frame camera on the market. For shooting handheld video, for shooting with long lenses or for shooting longer exposures in low light conditions, it’s a star. But it’s outstanding in almost all other aspects too. Like the original A7 before it, it’s a masterfully-built, well-designed camera that delivers spectacular stills and excellent video. And all in a fairly compact package, considering its capabilities. It’s not cheap (and don't forget, the price above is for the body without a lens) but if you’re seeking the best all-round system camera Sony has to offer, this is it.

Stellar imaging quality; 5-axis stabilisation massively boosts handheld performance; Top notch build quality and design;

No 4K video option;

Stellar imaging quality; 5-axis stabilisation massively boosts handheld performance; Top notch build quality and design;

No 4K video option;

Stellar imaging quality; 5-axis stabilisation massively boosts handheld performance; Top notch build quality and design;

No 4K video option;

So far, we're expecting pretty much more of the same–excellent high ISO results, great focusing, but not incredibly detailed images since this is just a 12.2MP sensor. But that's what the A7 Mk II and the A7r Mk II are for.

Overall, despite its very high price, we love the Sony A7S II and for users who want a superb compact mirrorless camera for low light video and photo shooting, we pretty much can't recommend a better device.

Absolutely superb nigh and low light shooting ability; Excellent EXMOR full-frame sensor; Robust build; 169 AF points; Massive ISO; Remarkably crisp 4K and Full HD video quality

Expensive; very expensive; Could use better organized touchscreen menu controls

We got some early hands-on time with the Sony A7S II last night, a full frame, mirrorless camera we have dubbed "the master of the dark arts" for its impressive low light shooting prowess.

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Really the only choice for poor/low light Video or shooting stills in the dark. Very clean at ISO 6400+ New 1080P120 is exceptionally even with internal codec. Very smooth and detailed. It can keep up with most action. Also good for slow motion that I do not use.

I don't know that a more capable videography/photography device exists in this size. The a7S is back with everything the first generation was missing (I had one). This is the ultimate low-light shooter for video and photography.

Now with Internal 4K; LUTs and IBIS! Low light monster Gorgeous video and photo Small and light package Adapt lenses from almost any system ever

Internal recording codec could be better Menus still mostly suck Limited system lenses 12MP limits post-processing options