PHOTOKINA: Sony, a company that is not normally known for major announcements at Photokina, announced a new flagship interchangeable-lens camera that is intended for professional sports and wildlife photographers. The Sony A99 II features a 42.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, a top ISO of 102,400, and 12fps burst rate. The camera is compatible with all A-mount lenses and offers in-body 5-axis shake reduction.
Sony Alpha a99 II Key Features:
• 42MP Backlit 35mm CMOS Sensor
• 12fps with Tracking AF
• 4K movies without pixel binning
• 399 AF points
• 5-Axis Image Stabilization
• Top ISO 102,400
• Rugged, weatherproof magnesium alloy construction
The A99 was innovative in many ways, especially for its translucent mirror technology combined with a an electronic viewfinder, which promoted especially fast autofocus. But a lot has changed in the four years since it was announced and the long-awaited followup offers significant changes.
The a99 II replaces the original a99 with several key upgrades, most notably, the sensor. Resolution is boosted from 24 to 42MP, while the a99’s full 1080p video recording is upgraded to 4K, without pixel binning. Burst rate has doubled, from 6 to 12fps with autofocus and autoexposure tracking while the hybrid AF system combines 79 dedicated phase detection AF points and 399 focal plane AF points covering almost the entire image. The full-time AF is said to be effective down to -4EV.
Sony is one of the top sensor makers in the world, with consistently high ratings in tests by independent labs such as DxO, and their sensors are also used by competitors, especially Nikon and Pentax, so when they announce a new sensor, it’s big news. The A99 II’s newly developed 42.4MP sensor is backed by a new Bionz X image processor. It can record at up to ISO 102,400. They are claiming the best image quality of any sensor currently available.
Sony was the first DSLR-maker to offer in-body image stabilization, and the A99 II is no exception. It offers 5-axis image stabilization covering pitch, roll and yaw as well as vertical and horizontal shift compensation, that they claim compensates for up to 4.5 stops of shutter speed. All A-mount lenses are compatible with the camera.
The camera is constructed of magnesium alloy and is said to be slightly smaller than the a99, with an improved grip and dust- and water-resistant build. The shutter mechanism is rated for over 300,000 clicks.
Other features include dual SD card slots, a 3-way tiltable LCD monitor, a revamped menu, and a front multi-controller dial.
The Sony A99 II is expected to cost approximately $3,199 body only. Availability to be announced.
In related news, Profoto is set to release an Air Remote trigger that will be compatible with Sony mirrorless cameras. The Profoto Air Remote TTL-S is expected in early 2017.
Cover photo courtesy of Sony. Settings: M mode, 1/2500 sec., F5.6, ISO 400, Auto white balance
