Today, Sony uncovered the footage recorded from outer space with the renowned α7S II full-frame mirrorless camera. It will surprise the readers that it is the world’s first monetary camera that was mounted outside of the International Space Station (ISS) and used to capture video in 4K.
The videos taken from outer space describe the beautiful snow-covered peaks of Japan and Metropolitan lights in various colors. The dream became a reality because of the α7S II’s high sensitivity performance and high-resolution 4K(QFHD 3840×2160) recording ability.
On December 9, 2016, the “KOUNOTORI” cargo transporter was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center and carried the α7S II to the ISS. The α7S II captured and recorded a variety of 4K videos and images from 400 km above the surface of the earth, where the α7S II completes an orbit around the planet approximately once every 90 minutes.
To ensure the capability of α7S II, various tests were conducted by JAXA. The test results ensured that the α7S II is reliable and durable for different atmospheres like outer space by taking into consideration various parameters such as high vacuum, cosmic radiation, and abrupt temperature fluctuations. Hence, the α7S II has been tabbed as the camera for the new outer platform on the ISS’s Japanese Experiment Module, referred to as “KIBO.”
The α7S II boasts high sensitivity up to ISO 409600, wide dynamic range; 5-axis image stabilization; internal recording of 4K movies with full pixel readout and no pixel binning; and a 35mm full-frame Exmor® CMOS image sensor packed into a compact body. One of the most prominent award ceremonies, dubbed as EISA (EUROPEAN PHOTO & VIDEO CAMERA 2016-2017) Awards, recognized this camera as the top camera all around the world because of its outstanding sensitivity.
The higher sensitivity performance enables the camera to capture clear, high-quality images, thereby reducing noise, even in outer space’s extremely low light conditions.
The immersive 4K videos captured by the α7S II have been released on the “α Universe” official site. The history of the α7S II’s implementation on the ISS can also be viewed on the site.
However, many images are still uncovered, like the earth at night from space. So let us all wait for all those amazing images as they will be exciting to watch.
