Earlier this morning, Sony unveiled the a99 II, their newest flagship full-frame camera. Jon Fingas writing for Engadget:

 Sony is launching the A99 II, a 42.4-megapixel pro cam that incorporates many of the upgrades you’ve seen in recent Alpha DSLRs and mirrorless models… and then some. To start, it promises to be an autofocusing champ. This is the first full-frame Alpha to use 4D Focus tech, delivering a hybrid autofocusing system that melds 79 dedicated phase detection points with 399 focal plane phase detection points. Between this and the lack of a moving mirror, Sony is promising “full-time” autofocus that can track fast-moving objects — important when you can shoot up to a brisk 12 frames per second (8FPS in live view). 

A lot of folks were wondering if Sony was done with A-mount cameras and the answer seems to be finally no – it just took four years for Sony unveil a predecessor.

 The A99 II adapts the A7 II’s 5-axis image stabilization to a full-frame body, helping it counter both shifting blur in close-ups and rolling blur in low light. Reportedly, it’s equivalent to a 4.5-step shutter speed advantage. 

With a peak ISO 102,400 sensitivity, a number we typically see in far more expensive cameras like the Nikon D5, the a99 II becomes an excellent option for low-light photography. As for videographers, there’s plenty to like as well, especially in the 4K department.

 You’re getting a newer design, to boot. The magnesium alloy body is about 8 percent smaller than the first A99, and you’ll get both a newer grip, twin SD card slots and seals that make the camera both dust- and water-resistant. The 1,024 x 768 OLED viewfinder should help, too, and you’re getting a redesigned menu that should be easier to use in the midst of a hectic photo shoot.

Other perks? You can finally record 4K video on a full-frame Sony DSLR (without pixel binning, even), and there’s a “Slow and Quick” mode that combines both slow-mo and accelerated video speeds. Pro movie makers may also appreciate better gamma handling (including S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma for wide dynamic range videos) and a zebra mode that helps with tweaking the exposure. 

The Sony a99 II will launch sometime in November for $3,199 (€3,600) for the body alone.

Discuss:

Doe the a99 II seem like a worthy successor?