Sony a99 II Announced A New Era for Full-Frame Photography

Sony a99 II: A Powerful Full-Frame Camera for Professionals and Enthusiasts

The Sony a99 II, released in 2016, is a significant addition to Sony’s full-frame camera lineup. It represents a major leap forward in technology and features, offering professional-level performance and versatility for both photographers and videographers. The a99 II builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Sony a99, with numerous improvements and enhancements designed to elevate the user experience and push the boundaries of image quality and functionality.

Key Features and Improvements

The Sony a99 II boasts a range of key features and improvements that make it a powerful and versatile camera. Some of the notable advancements include:

• 42.4MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor: The a99 II features a newly developed 42.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, offering exceptional detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. This sensor is capable of capturing stunning images with rich color and detail, even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Hybrid Phase Detection Autofocus: The a99 II incorporates a hybrid phase detection autofocus system with 79 phase detection points and 399 contrast detection points. This advanced system provides fast, accurate, and reliable autofocus performance, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects.
• 5fps Continuous Shooting: The a99 II offers a continuous shooting rate of up to 5 frames per second with full autofocus and exposure tracking. This allows photographers to capture action sequences with ease and precision.
• 4K Video Recording: The a99 II is capable of recording stunning 4K video at 30p with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. This means that users can capture high-resolution video with exceptional detail and clarity.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC: The a99 II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing users to easily transfer images and videos to smartphones, tablets, and computers. This feature simplifies sharing and makes it convenient for photographers to connect with the digital world.

Key Features and Specifications

The Sony a99 II boasts a powerful set of features designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. This full-frame camera packs impressive specifications and innovative technology to deliver exceptional image quality, advanced autofocus capabilities, and professional-grade video recording.

Image Sensor and Resolution

The a99 II is equipped with a 42.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, delivering high-resolution images with exceptional detail and dynamic range. The sensor’s large surface area allows for excellent light sensitivity, enabling photographers to capture stunning images even in low-light conditions.

Autofocus System

The a99 II features a hybrid autofocus system that combines 425 phase-detection points with 79 contrast-detection points. This advanced system provides fast and accurate autofocus performance, covering a wide area of the sensor. The camera’s autofocus system is highly responsive and reliable, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as sports and wildlife.

Continuous Shooting Speed and Buffer Capacity

The a99 II can shoot continuously at up to 12 frames per second (fps) with full autofocus and exposure tracking. The camera’s buffer capacity allows for extended bursts of continuous shooting, ensuring that photographers can capture crucial moments without missing a beat.

Video Recording Capabilities

The a99 II is a capable video recording camera, offering 4K video recording at 30p and 24p, along with Full HD video recording at 1080p up to 120fps. The camera supports various video codecs, including XAVC S and AVCHD, providing flexibility for post-production workflows.

Connectivity Options and Built-in Features

The a99 II offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling seamless sharing of images and videos with smartphones, tablets, and computers. The camera also features a built-in GPS receiver, allowing for geotagging of images.

Design and Ergonomics

The Sony a99 II boasts a robust and ergonomic design, making it comfortable and efficient to use for extended periods. It incorporates a blend of classic and modern design elements, catering to both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic photographers.

Physical Design and Dimensions

The a99 II is a full-frame DSLR with a body that is 143.5 x 116.5 x 81.5 mm (5.65 x 4.59 x 3.21 inches) in size. This makes it a relatively large camera, but it’s still manageable to hold and operate. The camera’s design is quite similar to its predecessor, the a99, with a slightly deeper grip and a more pronounced hump on the top for the viewfinder.

Weight and Handling Characteristics

Weighing in at approximately 737 grams (1.62 pounds) with a battery and memory card, the a99 II is a substantial camera. This weight, however, contributes to a feeling of solidity and stability. The camera’s grip is deep and well-contoured, providing a secure hold even with large lenses attached. This allows for comfortable shooting even when holding the camera for extended periods.

Button Layout and Control Interface

The a99 II features a comprehensive array of buttons and dials, allowing for quick and intuitive access to various camera settings. The layout of the buttons is logical and easy to understand, with most controls within easy reach of the right hand. The camera’s control wheel and buttons are well-spaced and provide a tactile feedback that is both satisfying and precise.

Viewfinder and LCD Screen Features

The a99 II’s viewfinder is a true marvel, offering a large and bright OLED electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2,359,296 dots. This provides a clear and detailed view of the scene, making it easy to compose and focus. The viewfinder also features a customizable display that can show various shooting information, such as exposure settings, focus points, and histograms. The camera’s 3.0-inch tilting LCD screen boasts a resolution of 1,228,800 dots, providing a sharp and vibrant display for reviewing images and navigating menus. The LCD screen is also touch-sensitive, allowing for intuitive control of camera settings and image playback.

Performance and Image Quality

The Sony a99 II is a powerhouse when it comes to performance and image quality. It boasts a 42.4MP full-frame sensor that delivers stunning detail and vibrant colors, making it a popular choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The camera’s performance is impressive in various shooting scenarios, from fast-paced action to low-light photography. Let’s delve into the details and see how the a99 II stacks up in different aspects of image quality.

Image Quality and Detail, Sony a99 ii announced

The a99 II’s 42.4MP sensor captures an exceptional level of detail, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits, and other genres where sharpness and clarity are crucial. Images produced by the camera exhibit a high degree of sharpness, even at high ISO settings. This sharpness is attributed to the sensor’s high resolution and the camera’s advanced image processing capabilities.

Here’s an example: A photograph of a bustling city skyline captured with the a99 II would reveal intricate details of the buildings, streetlights, and even the reflections in the windows. The camera’s ability to resolve fine details is evident in the sharp edges and textures captured in the image.

Noise Performance

Noise is a common concern in low-light photography, but the a99 II handles noise remarkably well. The camera’s sensor exhibits excellent noise control, even at high ISO settings. This is partly due to the camera’s advanced noise reduction algorithms, which effectively minimize noise without sacrificing detail.

Here’s a breakdown of the a99 II’s noise performance at different ISO settings:

* ISO 100-400: Images are virtually noise-free, exhibiting excellent clarity and detail.
* ISO 800-1600: Noise starts to become visible, but it’s still very manageable and doesn’t significantly impact image quality.
* ISO 3200-6400: Noise becomes more apparent, but the camera’s noise reduction effectively minimizes its impact.
* ISO 12800-25600: Noise is more prominent, but the camera’s noise reduction algorithms still do a good job of keeping it under control.

Dynamic Range

Dynamic range is the camera’s ability to capture detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image. The a99 II boasts an impressive dynamic range, allowing it to capture a wide range of tones and details in challenging lighting conditions. This is especially beneficial in situations where there are strong contrasts, such as backlit scenes or scenes with deep shadows.

For instance, a photograph of a sunset over a cityscape captured with the a99 II would reveal details in both the bright sky and the darker buildings. The camera’s wide dynamic range allows it to capture the subtle gradations of color in the sky while retaining detail in the shadows of the buildings.

Color Accuracy

The a99 II delivers accurate and vibrant colors. The camera’s color reproduction is generally very good, with accurate skin tones and natural-looking colors. The camera’s color rendering is consistent across different ISO settings, ensuring that images maintain their vibrancy even in low-light conditions.

Here’s an example: A photograph of a flower garden captured with the a99 II would showcase the vivid colors of the flowers in a natural and realistic manner. The camera’s ability to accurately capture color nuances allows for a faithful representation of the scene’s colors.

Comparison with Competitors: Sony A99 Ii Announced

The Sony a99 II faces stiff competition from other full-frame cameras in its price range, particularly from the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D850. These cameras all offer high-resolution sensors, advanced autofocus systems, and professional-grade features. To understand where the Sony a99 II stands, it’s essential to compare its strengths and weaknesses against its rivals.

Key Areas of Comparison

The Sony a99 II, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, and Nikon D850 are all powerful full-frame cameras, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparison of their key features:

Autofocus Performance

The Sony a99 II boasts a 79-point hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detection points, covering a large portion of the sensor area. This gives it a significant advantage in terms of autofocus speed and accuracy, especially in low-light conditions. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV offers a 61-point autofocus system with 45 cross-type points, while the Nikon D850 has a 153-point autofocus system with 99 cross-type points. While these systems are also impressive, they don’t quite match the Sony a99 II’s coverage and performance.

Image Quality

All three cameras offer excellent image quality, but there are some subtle differences. The Sony a99 II has a 42.4MP full-frame sensor, while the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 30.4MP sensor and the Nikon D850 has a 45.7MP sensor. The Sony a99 II’s sensor offers a good balance between resolution and dynamic range, while the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV focuses on providing a balance between resolution and low-light performance. The Nikon D850 boasts the highest resolution of the three, making it ideal for detailed landscapes and architectural photography.

Video Capabilities

The Sony a99 II offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. This provides high-quality footage with minimal aliasing and moiré artifacts. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps, but it uses a cropped sensor, which reduces the field of view. The Nikon D850 offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps with full pixel readout, but it lacks the same advanced features as the Sony a99 II, such as internal 4K recording and the ability to record in various frame rates.

Ergonomics and Design

The Sony a99 II features a deep grip and a well-placed control layout, making it comfortable to hold and operate. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also has a comfortable grip, but its control layout is more traditional, with a dedicated button for each function. The Nikon D850 has a deep grip and a control layout that is similar to the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

Connectivity and Features

The Sony a99 II offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth. It also has a built-in GPS receiver and a tilting touchscreen LCD. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV also offers Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity, but it lacks a built-in GPS receiver. The Nikon D850 has a similar set of connectivity features to the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, but it also offers a tilting LCD screen.

Price and Availability

The Sony a99 II is a premium camera with a price tag to match. It is generally more expensive than the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D850. However, the Sony a99 II offers a unique combination of features and performance that justifies its higher price point.

Target Audience and Use Cases

The Sony a99 II is a powerful full-frame camera designed to meet the demanding needs of professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. Its advanced features and capabilities make it suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios, catering to diverse photographic styles and subjects.

The a99 II’s target audience includes professional photographers working in various fields such as wedding photography, portrait photography, commercial photography, and photojournalism. Additionally, it appeals to enthusiasts who want to take their photography to the next level and explore advanced shooting techniques.

Professional Photography

Professional photographers often require a camera that can deliver high-quality images consistently, even in challenging lighting conditions. The Sony a99 II excels in this regard, thanks to its 42.4MP full-frame sensor, fast autofocus system, and high-speed continuous shooting capabilities.

For example, wedding photographers can capture stunning portraits with shallow depth of field, while photojournalists can rely on the camera’s fast burst shooting to capture fleeting moments.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers often seek cameras with excellent dynamic range and image quality, allowing them to capture the intricate details of vast landscapes. The a99 II’s high-resolution sensor and wide dynamic range are ideal for capturing breathtaking landscapes, from sunrise to sunset.

Landscape photographers can use the camera’s built-in intervalometer to create time-lapse sequences, capturing the slow-changing beauty of nature.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photographers need cameras with fast autofocus and high-speed continuous shooting to capture animals in motion. The Sony a99 II’s advanced autofocus system and 12fps continuous shooting with full autofocus tracking make it a powerful tool for wildlife photography.

Wildlife photographers can use the camera’s telephoto lenses to capture stunning images of birds in flight or animals in their natural habitat.

Conclusion

The Sony a99 II is a powerful full-frame camera that offers a compelling blend of features, performance, and image quality. It caters to professional and enthusiast photographers who demand the best in terms of speed, accuracy, and image detail.

While the camera boasts several strengths, it also has a few weaknesses that potential buyers should consider.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Sony a99 II’s key strengths include its:

• High-resolution full-frame sensor, delivering exceptional image quality with rich detail and wide dynamic range.
• Fast and accurate autofocus system, enabling precise subject tracking and capturing fast-moving action.
• Advanced hybrid viewfinder, providing a clear and detailed view of the scene with real-time information overlay.
• Professional-grade build quality, featuring weather sealing and robust construction for demanding shooting environments.
• Extensive customization options, allowing photographers to tailor the camera’s settings to their specific workflow and preferences.

However, the camera also has a few weaknesses:

• Limited battery life, requiring frequent charging or carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
• Relatively high price point, placing it out of reach for budget-conscious photographers.
• Limited lens selection compared to other full-frame camera systems, although Sony’s lens lineup is steadily expanding.

Overall Assessment and Suitability

The Sony a99 II is a high-end camera that delivers exceptional performance and image quality. It is a strong contender for professional and enthusiast photographers who prioritize speed, accuracy, and image detail. However, its high price point and limited battery life may be drawbacks for some users.

Recommendations for Potential Buyers

• Professional photographers who require a camera with exceptional speed, accuracy, and image quality should consider the Sony a99 II. Its advanced features and professional build quality make it an ideal choice for demanding shooting scenarios.
• Enthusiast photographers with a higher budget who are looking for a camera that can deliver stunning images and exceptional performance will find the Sony a99 II to be a worthy investment. However, they should be aware of the camera’s high price point and limited battery life.
• Budget-conscious photographers may want to consider other full-frame camera options that offer a better price-to-performance ratio. Alternatively, they could explore Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras, which offer excellent image quality and performance at a lower price point.

Sony a99 ii announced – The Sony a99 II is a testament to Sony’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of photography. With its impressive features, advanced technology, and robust design, this camera is a dream come true for both professional and enthusiast photographers. It’s a camera that will inspire you to capture the world around you in a whole new light, delivering stunning images that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, the Sony a99 II is a camera that will elevate your photography to new heights. So, get ready to embrace a new era of full-frame photography with the Sony a99 II.

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