Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Review

In this comprehensive Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II review, we will cover the most important aspects of company's newest Pro SLR, including key features, body and handling, performance and image quality. You can also find the additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the A99 II.

The Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II is a camera designed for enthusiast photographers that was revealed to the public on 11/30/2016 and is equipped with an 35mm sensor. When it comes to the price(buy Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II from Amazon), the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II costs $3,198.00 for body-only and joins company’s 35mm camera line up with a 42.4MP CMOS sensor.

The combination of 42.4-MP sensor and latest image processing engine in a compact and affordable body is bound to be a tempting prospect for both new and existing users. Before going into the details of the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II view, let's take a quick look at a summary of the features list. Then we can look deeper to the main features such as build quality, handling, ergonomics, performance and image quality.

Introduction and Key Features Body and Handling Performance and Image Quality Conclusions Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Key Features

Let's take a look at the features of this Pro SLR at a glance before going into the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II review. In this way, you get a preliminary idea. Check it out!

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Front
Looking for a Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II review? In this article we cover the key features, body & handling, performance and image quality.

Sensor

42.4-megapixel 35mm CMOS

ISO

AUTO (ISO 100-6400, selectable lower limit and upper limit), ISO 100 - 25600, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400

AF System

TTL Phase-detection AF: Dedicated CCD line sensors: 79 points (15 cross-type points, F2.8- sensitive at the center point); Focal Plane Phase Detection: 399 points (323 selectable points, 79 hybrid-cross auto focus points*) * When Hybrid Phase Detection AF is activated

Video

4K UHD up to 3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p)

Shutter speed

1/8000 - 30 sec

Continuous Shooting Speed

10.5 frames per second

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
NFC
Bluetooth

Dimensions

5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in. (143 x 104 x 76 mm)

Weight

29.9 oz (849 g)

Continue reading... Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Full Specifications

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Body and Handling

Compared with the predecessors, The Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II has a deeper grip, as well as an improved texture. You can certainly notice the larger area for your hand between the lens and grip, and this makes the camera more comfortable to hold. The dimensions of the A99 II are 5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in. (143 x 104 x 76 mm) and the camera weighs 29.9 oz (849 g) for body-only.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Back
 

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Viewfinder

The A99 II has a EVF / LCD viewfinder. The viewfinder has 0.78x magnification, which is a 35mm equivalent of 0.78x magnification. The 3.0-inch 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) LCD screen feels solid and looks good with good colour and clear text. The LCD has an articulating screen which is useful for shooting at awkward angles, as well as being useful for video work.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Battery

The camera uses the Proprietary battery. It is backward compatible and offers 390 shots per charge according to CIPA ratings. As usual with CIPA ratings, you may get many more than this with better use of LCD and OVF combination.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Memory Card Slot

By default, the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II doesn't come with a memory card. Some retailers put together bundles that do include one, but chances are that you'll need to pick up an SD card separately.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II supports dual card slots. You can use MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC type memory cards. The technical difference between those two specifications are in the filesystem they're formatted with, but the practical difference is that cards 32GB and smaller will be labeled SDHC and cards 64GB and larger will be labeled SDXC.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Connectivity

On the side, you'll find Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI (can output up to 4K/30p 8-bit 4:2:2) ; Microphone and Headphone jacks, DC input terminal. The camera can output clean HDMI, in case you want to record video to an external recorder. For sending captured images the camera offers Wi-Fi , NFC and Bluetooth. When it comes to GPS we have to say the camera has built-in support.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Top
 

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Performance and Image Quality

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - AF System

The AF system of the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II is TTL Phase-detection AF: Dedicated CCD line sensors: 79 points (15 cross-type points, F2.8- sensitive at the center point); Focal Plane Phase Detection: 399 points (323 selectable points, 79 hybrid-cross auto focus points*) * When Hybrid Phase Detection AF is activated. This is ideal for working with long lenses and teleconverters. The low-light working range of the autofocus system is rated for +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps.

Autofocus system of the A99 II includes metering modes like 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - ISO Sensitivity

Native ISO sensitivity range of Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II starts from 100 to 25600. The camera’s full ISO rates are as follows AUTO (ISO 100-6400, selectable lower limit and upper limit), ISO 100 - 25600, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Video Features

The Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II can record 4K UHD video at up to 3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p). However, since it’s captured from a 3840 x 2160 pixel area at the centre of the sensor, it a provides a detailed footage. The camera is also capable of Full HD video (1920 x 1080) capture at up to 60 fps. The A99 II can create movies right in the camera.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Left
 

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Conclusions

The Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II is a great all round performer, which is well-suited to a range of photography subjects that the average enthusiast is likely to tackle. The camera is also smaller and lighter, arguably making it a better option for traveling.

If you regularly shoot in low light environments or high ISO speeds, and want to be able to record 4K UHD video, then the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II will be a great choice.

Overall, the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II is a great all-round enthusiast camera for those looking for their next step up Dslr with excellent image quality, and reliable performance.

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Right
 

Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II - Questions and Answers (FAQ)

What is the sensor technology found in the A99 II?

The camera comes with an 35mm image sensor and is a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor).

What is the native ISO sensitivity range of the A99 II?

The camera has a native ISO sensitivity from 100 to 25600.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?

The A99 II's flash sync speed is 1/250.

What is the buffer size for RAW and JPEG shooting?

Buffer size for RAW is approximately 25, while the JPEG shooting is 61.

What battery does Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II use?

The camera uses the Proprietary, which is a NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable.

What is the battery life of Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II?

Shoot all day and well into the night with up to approximately 390 shots per charge (CIPA standard).

Notes About Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II Review

Specific assessments of the cameras should be instructive in revealing the technical characteristics of the cameras. For example, in practice, the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II review should convey various details about usage, response, and overall viewing quality to the user. User comments, such as those found on Amazon, can sometimes give information about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

As users, you should pay attention to the reviews made by experts. That's why we find it important to include the correct and expert opinions on the Sony Alpha ILCA-A99 II review.