Unleashing Professional Photography with Sony Alpha A9 II: A Review

Discover the latest features of Sony's Alpha A9 II, a camera that sets the standard for professional photography. From autofocus capabilities to image quality, this camera is built to provide optimum performance, making it an ideal choice for both amateurs and professionals. In this blog, we will explore the features of the Sony Alpha A9 II and how it can help you achieve your creative goals.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha A9 II article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 03 2019

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorStacked BSI-CMOS
Weight678g
MSRP$4498USD

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Overview of the Alpha A9 II

The Sony Alpha A9 II recently came to the market with a bang, impressing professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. Highly regarded for its advanced capabilities, the Alpha A9 II packs a powerful punch with its autofocus technology, image stabilization, and shooting speed. It's no wonder that it has quickly become a favorite among photographers. In this review, we'll dive into the features and performance of the Sony Alpha A9 II and see why it's worth considering for your next photography companion.

The Sony Alpha Series Lineup

Sony Alpha A9 thumbnail

Sony Alpha A9

Released Apr 19 2017 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A9 II thumbnail

Sony Alpha A9 II

Released Oct 03 2019 | 24MP resolution

Sony Alpha A9 II Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha A9 II camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Fast autofocus
High image quality
Large sensor
Wide dynamic range
High ISO performance
4K video capabilities
Dual card slots
Weather-sealed body
Long battery life
Fast continuous shooting

Cons

Expensive
Limited lens selection
Heavy and bulky
No built-in flash
No image stabilization in body
Limited touch screen functionality
Limited customization options
No headphone jack
Limited low-light performance compared to some competitors
Limited dynamic range compared to some competitors

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha A9 II

Weather sealed
Dimensions129 x 96 x 76mm
Weight678g
Thickness76mm
Weight
Min
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha A9 II camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Alpha A9 II is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,440k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,440k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha A9 II not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Alpha A9 II includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,686k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.78x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha A9 II has a 24MP sized Stacked BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Sony Alpha A9 II has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 03 2019

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

93 / 102

Color Depth

25 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3434 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha A9 II camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha A9 II is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageDual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Battery Life690 shots
Battery ModelNP-FZ100
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha A9 II supports Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Sony Alpha A9 II is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Sony Alpha A9 II uses the NP-FZ100 model of battery pack. This is rated for 690 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha A9 II does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha A9 II boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of 10.0 fps or an electronic shutter speed of 20.0 fps, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha A9 II includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 693 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha A9 II?

The Sony Alpha A9 II features a Stacked BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha A9 II weather sealed?

Yes the Alpha A9 II does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha A9 II announced?

The Sony Alpha A9 II was announced on Oct 03 2019

Does the Sony Alpha A9 II have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Alpha A9 II does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha A9 II?

The Alpha A9 II has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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