Sony α9 II Full-Frame Camera With Pro Capability - ILCE9M2/B

α9 II is the mirrorless camera that delivers next-generation high-speed performance far exceeding SLRs. It’s equipped with the outstanding 35 mm stacked CMOS image sensor with integral memory for impressively fast overall readout speed. This 24.2 MP image sensor achieves high sensitivity of up to ISO 204800 (extended) with the design of back-illuminated structure.

The camera’s image-processing algorithms represent the latest generation of advancements, allowing higher levels of natural tonal gradations and more stable AWB for continuous shooting.

The combination of a 24.2 effective megapixel integral-memory full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor and the latest-generation BIONZ X make possible high-sensitivity performance up to ISO 51200, high dynamic range, and support for 14-bit RAW output and 16-bit image processing. Together, they help capture maximum detail and image quality while reproducing rich tonal gradations and natural colour, such as human skin.

Thanks to the α9 II’s incredible speed, continuous shooting is possible at up to 20fps with the electronic shutter, and 10fps with the mechanical shutter, to capture fast-moving subjects with either shutter mode, and even at its highest speed, the flash can be synchronized with the mechanical shutter.

AF/AE is calculated up to 60 times per second and is virtually uninterrupted, both while composing the image and even upon releasing the shutter. Continuous AF/AE—operated on the image sensor—locks onto and tracks erratically moving subjects with high speed, precision, and reliability. Additionally, AWB Lock capability, makes it possible to lock/unlock auto white balance operation at any time, which is useful in mixed lighting situations where natural and man-made light sources coexist. (1) AF/AE calculations (2) 60 times/sec (3) 20 frames/sec

In continuous shooting, the electronic shutter system banishes blackout interruption typical of optical viewfinders, and the high-speed image sensor eliminates distracting EVF display lag. A high 120fps refresh rate minimizes display blurring of moving subjects, and the Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with approx. 3.68 million-dot high resolution, employs ZEISS® T* Coating to reduce reflections. A dirt-repelling fluorine coating on the outer lens to enhance usability on location. (A) Blackout-free Shooting (B) Shooting with blackouts

A result of Sony’s image sensor innovation, this shutter achieves speeds up to 1/32000 sec., beyond the limits of mechanical systems. Additionally, the high curtain speed of the electronic shutter suppresses rolling shutter effect to excellently capture moving subjects during sports and other fast-moving activities.

Explore the advantages of high-speed silent shooting with a shutter that is fully digital — without a physical mechanism. The electronic shutter allows silent shooting without mechanical mirror and shutter noise. It’s ideal for sports and subjects that demand quiet operation, greatly expanding camera versatility.

Flicker from fluorescent and other artificial lighting is automatically detected and shutter action is timed to minimize the effect of flicker on still images. This suppresses exposure and colour anomalies at the top and bottom of images shot at high shutter speeds, as well as exposure and colour inconsistency between continuous shots, so you can take images indoors with more confidence. (1) Anti-flicker ON (2) Anti-flicker OFF

4D FOCUS means highly accurate subject detection, reliable rapid autofocusing, and continuous tracking of subjects in motion, based on uninterrupted AF and an optimized AF algorithm as well as the approximately 93% AF coverage from 693 focal-plane phase-detection AF points that track random subject motion even during shutter release.

The Real-time Tracking technology uses AI to detect moving subjects from the wealth of information captured by the image sensor. Spatial data consisting of colour, pattern (brightness) and distance information are processed in parallel at high speed, and human and animal face and eye location data are detected continuously in real time using AI, realizing high-accuracy with automatic detection and tracking performance for moving subjects.

Real-time Eye AF relies on advanced AI to continuously analyze and detect eyes from the image sensor’s copious data, with left- or right-eye preference possible with a simple toggle. By half-pressing the shutter button, even animal eyes are detected. Team it up with Real-time Tracking for superior tracking performance of live subjects.

Low-light AF detection extends to EV-3 at ISO 100. The “Focus Priority in Aperture Drive” option enables more accurate focusing in dim lighting and when the aperture is stopped down, with the result that the precision AF system will function properly even when shooting dimly lit scenes. This opens up new possibilities in low-light and night shooting.

The body’s 693-point focal-plane phase-detection AF provides wide-area coverage, fast response, and high tracking performance, not only for E-mount but also for A-mount lenses with use of a mount adaptor (LA-EA3). Continuous shooting of up to 10fps with AF tracking is possible.

A new setting allows the focus area to be rotated through the upper, lower, left, and right edges of the frame to select an appropriate focus area for sports, or other situations where the subject frequently moves through the frame. AF area and ISO display limiting makes it possible to display only the most frequently used focus area and ISO settings for quicker, easier selection for faster, more efficient shooting.

The body-integrated image stabilization system is fine-tuned to compensate accurately for 5-axis camera shake that can compromise handheld shooting. This gives you extremely high performance in both stills and movies, whether shooting at longer focal lengths, in close-ups, or at night. It is equivalent to using a 5.5-step faster shutter speed, allowing stable determination of composition when capturing subjects in high-speed motion. Real-time effects can be monitored via live view. (1) Yaw (2) Pitch (3) Roll

The shutter has been tested for durability in excess of 500,000 shutter-release cycles and incorporates an internal damper structure to absorb the impact of shutter motion for minimum shutter vibration and noise, helping to also realize more sharply resolved imaging.

The α9 II brings you further enhanced body durability, with full use of lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy for covers and internal frame, keeping the camera highly rigid and light. In response to pro opinions, enhanced sealing is applied to the battery cover, terminal cover and all joints in the chassis. A double-sealed sliding mechanism replaces the hinge of the media compartment lid for better moisture resistance. Routes to dust and moisture entry have been re-examined, and a cushion around the lens mount has been added to ensure reliable operation in challenging environments.

The α9 II provides two media slots for SD cards; both SLOT 1 and SLOT 2 are now compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II for fast mass-volume data writing. Two cards in the slots can be used to simultaneously record or relay record data, separate RAW data from JPEG data, or stills from movies, and copy data from one card to the other. A slide lock structure prevents the memory card cover from being opened unintentionally.

The α9 II employs the large-capacity NP-FZ100 battery and a highly energy-efficient circuit design to double operational longevity to professional session lengths. The robust VG-C4EM vertical-position grip is available for greater operability and even longer hours of shooting. In addition to other optional accessories, USB Type-C™ and Multi/Micro USB ports allow external mobile batteries to power the camera for further extended recording.

A refined multi-selector, with a new surface texture for enhanced button response, lets you shift point of focus quickly and intuitively. With a thought for pro users, an improved grip shape reduces fatigue, and there is a new Exposure Compensation Dial Lock Button to increase operational security. In addition, the locations of the AF-ON and other key buttons have been analyzed for better feel and response. These improvements enhance your concentration on shutter release to “capture the moment” instantly.

You can directly transfer images to an FTP server with significantly higher speed via the camera’s LAN terminal that supports the Ethernet 1000BASE-T standard. It is also possible to upload images to an FTP server through an available wireless access point. The camera supports either transfer mode in the background while shooting. Up to nine servers may be pre-registered for fast menu selection.

The α9 II brings higher efficiency to work delivery tasks with a new Voice Memo function that allows you to record up to 60-sec audio files (.wav), describing shooting conditions or image content with automatic transcription into text, which is then attached to images.

The camera is compatible with updated Remote Camera Tool application, which, after pairing to assure a secure connection, handles remote single or multi-camera shooting using a wired LAN connection in venues like sports stadiums. Remote switching of the camera’s FTP server settings is also possible, as well as remote-control of saving and loading settings to/from an SD memory card.

Connectivity has been improved, with new support for the IEEE 802.11ac 5 GHz band Wi-Fi® when the camera is connected in wireless mode, along with the camera's USB Type-CTM terminal that supports USB 3.2 Gen 1.

The camera is capable of 4K movie recording with full-pixel readout without pixel binning. You can enjoy detail-rich, full-frame movies via the oversampling effect achieved by condensing approximately 2.4 times the amount of data required for 4K (6K equivalent) for 4K output (QFHD: 3840 x 2160). Additionally, the XAVC-S format is supported at bit rates as high as 100 Mbps.

When shooting 4K movies, the camera provides control of high speed, precision, and tracking performance, via adjustable tracking sensitivity, for smooth, stable AF movie shooting. More pronounced slow focus effects are now possible, and Real-time Eye AF is now also applicable when shooting movies, detecting and tracking eyes with high-focus accuracy, which is critical when shooting 4K.

The α9 II provides a wide array of functions to facilitate movie shooting workflows, including interval recording, clean HDMI output, time code/user bits (TC/UB), REC Control, marker display/setting, zebra function, Slow and Quick Motion, simultaneous proxy movie recording, and extraction and separate storage of a still from a movie, among others. A combination with the ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit, via the new digital audio interface, enables clear sound recording with minimized quality deterioration by sending a digital audio signal to the camera.

Now, a dramatically increased number of camera settings can be stored in the memory card, and saved settings can be read by other cameras of the same model. Moreover, up to 10 sets of camera settings can be stored in a memory card, thanks to the Save/Load Setting function. Camera setups can also be imported to the Imaging Edge Mobile application, while imported setups can be exported to other cameras of the same model.

Thanks to My Dial, three sets of menu options can be assigned through the front/rear dials and the control wheel. By assigning frequently used functions to these dials, they become instantly available for fingertip control while a custom button is held. Function sets can be assigned individually for stills and movies.

Ratings from 1 to 5 stars can be applied to still images and maintained as the images are imported into the Imaging EdgeTM desktop application (Viewer) running on a PC. This function and a protect function to prevent accidental image deletion can each be assigned to a custom button (C3 by default for protect). Ratings and protection can be applied via review playback display and continuous groups can be reviewed, protected and deleted while you’re on location or travelling. With the Image Jump Setting, you can now also review large photo collections in 10- or 100-frame jumps, and group-review continuous burst shots for swift, efficient image evaluation.

Capture One Express (for Sony) is a free, award-winning editing software that provides RAW development, easy management and powerful editing tools. Capture One Pro (for Sony) can be bought for even more editing tools and tethered shooting capability.

Elevate your photography with Imaging Edge desktop applications. Use “Remote” to control and monitor shooting live on your PC screen; “Viewer” to quickly preview, rate, and select photos from large image libraries; and “Edit” to develop RAW data into high-quality photos for delivery.

This product is compatible with Final Cut Pro X and iMovie.