Today, Sony has made a press release for their full frame mirrorless camera Sony Alpha a7S II to shoot astonishing 4K videos from international space station. According to Sony, a7S II is the first commercial camera mounted outside space.
Take a look at full press release:
Tokyo, Japan – Sony today released a variety of immersive 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) footage from outer space recorded by the acclaimed α7S II full-frame mirrorless camera. This is the world’s first*1 commercial camera to be mounted outside of the International Space Station (ISS) used to capture video in 4K. The videos showcase the Japanese islands from outer space with footage taken during day and night, showing off its majestic snow-covered peaks and metropolitan lights right down to the differences in color tone. These were able to be captured by virtue of the α7S II’s high sensitivity performance as well as high resolution 4K recording capability.
The α7S II was carried to the ISS by the “KOUNOTORI” cargo transporter that launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on December 9, 2016, and was subsequently installed on February 8, 2017*3. From 400 km above the surface of the earth, the α7S II completes an orbit around the planet approximately once every 90 minutes, recording a variety of 4K videos and still images from outer space.
- *1 As of July 27, 2017
- *2 Selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- *3 With the FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS power zoom lens