α9 II
The overwhelming speed performance of the α9, which changed the game in sports and news photography, is now reborn with additional enhancements that boost professional workflow productivity.
The α9 II offers advances that answer the demands of professional workflows, including sophisticated operability and network connectivity for enhanced support in the field, rugged go-anywhere reliability and unrivalled speed.
Groundbreaking full-frame Exmor RSTM CMOS sensor and BIONZ XTM processor team up for 20fps continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking. Stunning high-speed performance and ample buffer let you capture the decisive moment.
Electronic shutter eliminates blackout typical of SLR mirror cameras. Subject is visible during shutter release, with 60fps live-view and minimal display lag in continuous shooting.
(A) Blackout-free Shooting (B) Shooting with blackouts
Light reaches the image sensor without mechanical interruption. Mirrorless construction and speed-enhancing technologies provide AF/AE at the full-frame focal plane.
(1) AF/AE calculations (2) 60 times/sec (3) 20 frames/sec
Electronic shutter speeds up to 1/32000 sec far surpass mechanical shutters for a new imaging expression. You can also maintain shallow depth of field without an ND filter, even under bright conditions.
(A mode 1/20000 sec F8.0 ISO 1000, shot with α9)
An anti-distortion electronic shutter allows the scene to be captured silently, with no risk of mechanical mirror or shutter sounds disrupting the tension at a sports event, for example.
Flicker from fluorescent and other artificial lighting is detected, and shutter operation is timed to suppress exposure and color anomalies (at high shutter speeds) and inconsistency between continuous shots.
Anti-flicker [1] ON [2] OFF
The mechanical shutter now allows continuous shooting at up to 10fps, and can also be used with a flash. You can deploy high-speed continuous shooting for scenes as appropriate.
Note: This camera is equipped with electronic and mechanical shutters. The features described in this section are primarily related to electronic shutter operation unless otherwise specified.
The 24.2-megapixel full-frame high-speed stacked image sensor stores data in integral memory for lightning-fast readout. The CMOS sensor and enhanced BIONZ X image-processing engine together bring you true digital freedom.
[Stacked back-illuminated structure with integral memory]
(1) Pixel area (2) Integral memory (3) Hi-speed signal processing circuit (4) Image processing engine
With 693 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection AF points, the sensor provides wide and high-density AF covering 93% of the image.
Thanks to responsive enhanced Fast Hybrid AF, the α9 II delivers swift AF even under dim lighting conditions, with a remarkable ability to capture a subject.
Uninterrupted AF and an optimized AF algorithm dramatically enhance AF accuracy and tracking. Even during shutter release, constant AF activation allows continuous tracking of subject motion.
Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF are both designed for fast, precise and intelligent tracking of your subject, using AI-based algorithms and processing an enormous amount of data in real time.
After the subject is specified, precise focus is maintained while the shutter button is half-pressed. Position changes are accurately tracked, providing framing flexibility as you concentrate on getting the best shot.
The AI recognition algorithm efficiently processes color, pattern, distance, face, and eye data from the image sensor for high accuracy.
(1) Face [AI] (2) Eye [AI] (3) Color (4) Pattern (5) Distance (6) Real-time Processing
Even when another object passes in front, Real-time Eye AF can maintain focus on one of the subject's eyes when the shutter is half-pressed, or by pressing AF-ON or a custom button.
You can even select a specific eye—left or right—before or during shooting via a custom button. Eye selection allows you to focus on composition, lighting, and other details.
Fast, precise automatic detection and tracking with animal and human eye tracking greatly increases the success rate in capturing images of animals in the wild or pets at home.
Advanced AF algorithms contribute to AF precision at light levels as low as EV-3. The Focus Priority in Aperture Drive option is for more accurate focusing in dim lighting and when the aperture is stopped down.
Even with the shutter button half-pressed, the focus area can now be moved with the multi-selector to any location. Conveniently, the focus frame color can be set to red or white to suit the scene.
Approx. 24.2 effective megapixels, high sensitivity, back-illuminated configuration, gapless on-chip lens architecture, and other Sony innovations deliver stunning images in a wide range of photographic situations.
The latest BIONZ X image processing engine works in tandem with the front-end LSI to maximize high-resolution sensor performance.
High-sensitivity performance up to ISO 51200 and algorithm advances realize smooth expression, including natural skin colors and smooth gradations in areas such as the sky. 14-bit RAW output is available.
The 3.68-million-dot viewfinder (EVF) shows a detailed image. 120fps finder frame rate setting provides a smooth viewfinder image with minimal motion blur. Fluorine coating on the outer lens repels dirt and makes it easier to clean.
In-body 5-axis optical image stabilization gives a 5.5-step shutter speed advantage. Live-view monitor image stabilization allows easy image composition even with fast-moving subjects.
(1) Yaw (2) Pitch (3) Roll
Sony re-engineered the shutter unit assembly with dampened screws to absorb any shutter shock, and an enhanced image stabilization algorithm effectively reduces image blur. Shutter sound has also been reduced.
Beautiful 4K movie recording. Full-pixel readout with no pixel binning makes it possible to condense approximately 2.4 times the amount of data required for 4K (the equivalent of the amount of data required for 6K) into 3840 x 2160 4K output. Versatile with Fast Hybrid AF performance, Eye AF functions, Touch Tracking, etc.
Real-time Eye AF newly supports movie shooting by detecting the subject’s eyes and continuing to track one eye. As the α9 II keeps that eye in precise focus, you can concentrate on composition.
When shooting movies on the α9 II, a subject touched on the LCD monitor is automatically focused and followed with Touch Tracking. If a human eye is spotted, Real-time Eye AF activates and tracks it too.
The Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe) is enhanced with a Digital audio interface. Use the new ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone to record high-quality sound with minimized deterioration.
Smooth, reliable high-speed data transfer of large image files to a designated FTP server is now available via LAN terminal supporting 1000BASE-T. FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS) guarantees high security.
To meet pro needs for prompt delivery, the α9 II supports FTP data transfers in the background during and after shooting for JPEG and RAW file delivery. Up to nine FTP servers can be assigned in advance.
The new Voice Memo function lets you record audio descriptions of content or shooting conditions up to 60 seconds long, attached to images as .wav files. IPTC and camera serial number information can also be embedded in image files.
Remote operation is available with the Remote Camera Tool desktop application, convenient when photographer access is restricted, such as shooting a birds-eye view from the roof of a sports arena.
As well as 2.4 GHz-band, high-speed transfer is now possible via 5 GHz-band Wi-Fi® (wireless LAN IEEE 802.11ac). Wireless PC remote shooting is now also possible, freeing your shooting styles from the constraints of cables.
The newly adopted USB Type-CTM connection and enhancements to the PC remote shooting algorithm deliver significant improvements in transfer rate. You can transfer large uncompressed RAW images smoothly without workflow interruption.
The new VG-C4EM provides controls with optimized location, size, shape and material similar to those on the camera body to simulate the operational "feel" when the camera is held vertically.
The α9 II uses a high-capacity NP-FZ100 battery. Alternatively, two of these can be used in the optional VG-C4EM Vertical Grip for longer shooting durations and worry-free shooting in the field.
Both media slots are compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II for fast data writing. The α9 II can simultaneously or relay record, separate RAW/JPEG data and stills/movies, and copy data between cards.
The new Save/Load Settings function saves and loads camera settings to and from SD memory card for convenient sharing with other α9 II cameras. Under “FTP Transfer Func.” is the “Save/Load FTP Settings” function, which saves and loads the FTP-related settings.
Apply star ratings and image protection via the review playback display right on the spot. You can now also review large photo collections in 10- or 100-frame jumps, and group-review continuous burst shots.
Illustration of custom key settings on the menu screen makes it easier to understand usage. In addition, you can switch between menu tabs using the front dial or Fn button with one hand.
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.
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.
This product is compatible with iMovie and Final Cut Pro X.
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