Sony recently announced their new flagship full frame A-Mount professional camera, the A99 II DSLR. Oh yeah, it’s got better everything pretty much and blows away the competition is many areas! A 42mp sensor and 12fps with full AF, for example are incredible, not to mention the killer updated autofocus system, and 4k video capabilities. For all those that thought the A-Mount line was dead, guess what, it’s alive and back with a vengeance! For $3198 US, this camera offers ridiculous power and features!
Sony Pro A-Mount DSLR users have been demanding a new top quality camera for a really long time, and Sony took forever to come up with an answer due to the full frame mirrorless explosion. I also think the insane speed that technology was progressing, also resulted in design delays, updates, and overhauls. Sony finally wrapped up all the critical elements in their Mirrorless E-Mount camera line, and learned a ton in the process. It looks like they then incorporated some of the newer hybrid AF sensor technology like the A7r Mark II has, and 4k video capabilities, plus all the other pro quality and features you would expect.
Pro Features like: Dual memory cards, large battery, all needed ports with real weather sealing and rugged rubberized doors, fully articulating screen with the armored close option, 5-axis Steadyshot inside, 14-bit Raw files, and super high ISO 102400 abilities if needed, just to name a few…
Based on my initial impressions of the New Sony A99 II, it looks like the best value for the dollar pro DSLR style camera that has ever been made! Sony consistently blows away the competition with technology and value for dollar in my opinion, and the new A99 II is just another example of this from my perspective.For all those that thought the A-Mount line was dead, guess what, it’s alive and back with a vengeance!
Lets break this New A99 II down a bit more shall we 🙂
Key Features:
- 42MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor
- Max Resolution = 7952 x 5304
- BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
- 0.5″ 2.36M-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log3 Gamma
- S&Q Motion in Full HD from 1-120 fps
- Hybrid Phase Detection AF System
- ISO 102400 and 12 fps Shooting with AF
- 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
- 3.0″ 1,228.8k-Dot Tilting LCD Monitor
- Built-In Wi-Fi & NFC; 14-Bit Raw Output
- Weight = 1.87 lb / 849 g (Body with Battery and Memory)
- Price = $3198 US
Sony A99 II Body Shots and Promo Illustrations:
Sony A99 II Promo Videos:
Reviews and Testing Videos:
Closing Remarks:
As you can see Sony is still in the Pro Photography game and is pumping out quality to cost ratios that really have put the competition in check. $3198 US for all the features the new A99 II has is a steal in my opinion.
Just quickly looking at the newer Canon 5d Mark IV for example, and other than the dual pixel technology it offers, I don’t see near the power the A99 II offers. The Canon offers 7fps vs Sony’s 12fps, the sensor on the Canon Mark IV is 30mp w/ dual pixel technology, and the Sony has the 42mp Exmor R Sensor technology. The Canon does have a touchscreeen option, and goes for $3499 US. A few hundred more, for significantly less performance in the areas that matter to a lot of Pro photographers. Frames per second are big, and the Sony destroys the competition in this regard with 12pfs. The sensor technology the Canon is offering looks pretty amazing and I do love the Canon 5d Mark II camera owning one myself. I have nothing bad to say about the Canon 5d camera’s, but when you look at the bang for the buck, it seams clear that Sony is offering more for the money when it comes to the features and power.
Switching camera lines is a daunting task when huge lens investments are at play, which is why I never got rid of my Canon Pro gear. I went down the Sony mirrorless road instead and have the older Nex-6 and original full frame Sony A7r. If I need to do pro work, which I very rarely do anymore, I will use my now old Canon 5d Mark II and the Sony A7r as a second shooter. I know a ton of people doing this, but they are using the newest Sony A7r II or A7s II mostly as a second shooter. I am no longer an active pro photographer, so I can’t afford or justify upgrading my gear very often. What I have works awesome, so that is my deal these days just so you guys are aware.
As new reviews come out, we will learn more about the real world performance of the new flagship Sony A99 II DSLR camera. I can tell you the older A99 performed incredible when I used it a few times over the years, so this new refined unit should be significantly better based on what I just learned creating this breakdown article.
Please let me know what you guys think, and have a great day!
Jay
Check availability and Pricing for the New Sony A99 II @ BHPhoto and Amazon
