DPReview: Sony announces full-frame a99 II at Photokina

Sony has announced its top-end full-frame Alpha-mount camera, the a99 II. Featuring a 42.2MP sensor, 79-point hybrid AF system and 12 fps shooting, the a99 II sounds like an impressive beast. As with its predecessor, this is a Translucent Mirror camera, which splits light between the sensor and an AF module near the EVF.

The 42.2MP BSI-CMOS sensor, likely the same as the one in the a7R II, is paired with Sony's BIONZ X processor, allowing for 12 fps burst shooting in single AF mode and a top ISO of 102,400. The sensor lacks a low-pass filter, maximizing resolution. All Sony Alpha-mount cameras have in-body image stabilization, and the a99 II one-ups previous models by offering 5-axis shake reduction. The effects of the stabilizer can be seen with a half-press of the shutter release button.

The camera uses a Hybrid Phase Detection AF system that combines 399 points on the focal plane with 79 all cross-type points on the sensor. Sony says this allows for ultra-fast AF speeds and sensitivity down to -4EV.  The camera is able to shoot continuously at 8 fps with continuous AF. 

Body-wise, the a99 II is 8% smaller than its predecessor and is made of magnesium alloy. A newly redesigned shutter has a lifespan of 300,000 exposures. It has a large XGA OLED viewfinder with a magnification of 0.78x. A fluorine coating helps to keep fingerprints and oil off of the outer element. Its LCD display can tilt in 3-axis. The 'silent Multi-Controller' now offers a click on/off feature. In an act of mercy, Sony has also redesigned the a99 II's menu system. 

Video is, of course, also a big deal. The a99 II can capture 4K at 100Mbps with full sensor read-out and no pixel binning. A 'Slow and Quick' mode lets users jump between 1 and 120 fps at the push of a button. All of the capture tools you'd expect are available, including zebra patterns, time code, S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles and clean output over HDMI. 

The a99 II will hit retailers in November for $3199.

from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) http://ift.tt/2cT8hEt
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