CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
  • LENSES
  • TOOLS
    • Smart Find
    • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Size Comparison
  • BRANDS
    • Sony Cameras
    • Canon Cameras
    • Nikon Cameras
    • Pentax Cameras
    • Fujifilm Cameras
    • Olympus Cameras
    • Panasonic Cameras
    • Leica Cameras
    • Samsung Cameras
  • BODY TYPE
    • Mirrorless Cameras
    • DSLR Cameras
    • Compact Cameras
    • Bridge Cameras
    • Waterproof Cameras

Sony A99 II Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
  • Lenses
  • Sony A99 II

    Select a Camera to Compare

    x
    Add a Camera for comparison

    Main Features

    • 42MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
    • No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
    • ISO 100 - 25600( expands to 50-102400)
    • 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
    • 3" Fully articulated Screen
    • 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder
    • 12.0 fps continuous shooting
    • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video
    • Built-in Wireless
    • 849g. 143 x 104 x 76 mm
    • Weather Sealed Body
    • Replaced Sony A99
    CHECK PRICE
    CHECK PRICE

    Sony A99 II Overview

    First introduced in September 2016 , Sony Alpha A99 II is a 42.0MP Advanced DSLR camera with a Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor, built-in Image Stabilization , Fully articulated screen and Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount. Sony replaced the older A99 with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
    Compare Sony Alpha A99 II vs Sony A99

    Sony A99 II Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Lens Mount and Lenses
    4. Sensor and Photography Features
    5. Physical Specs
    6. LCD and Viewfinder
    7. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    8. Video
    9. Other Features
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Sony A99 II has an Overall Score of 87/100 and ranked #2 out of 206 in DSLR cameras (Top 10 DSLR), and ranked #21 out of 1220 in all Cameras (Top 10 Overall). The only DSLR camera that is ranked higher then the A99 II is Nikon D850. Read the comparison of these two cameras here.

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras.



    Sony A99 II Physical Specs
    Sony A99 II weighs 849 g (1.87 lb / 29.95 oz) and has external dimensions of 143 x 104 x 76 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 2.99″). Considering that the average weight of DSLR type cameras is 774g, its weight is about average in its class. With a thickness of 76mm, it also has an average thickness.
    Weight Comparison

    DSLR Cameras

    Sony A99 II
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    DSLR Cameras

    Sony A99 II
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Sony A99 II with the dimensions:

    Sony A99 II Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Sony A99 II Camera Body

    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Sony A99 II, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Sony A99 II Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Sony A99 II Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery

    Now lets compare the weight and thickness of Sony A99 II with its main competitors:

    Sony A99 II Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs A99 II Thickness vs A99 II
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A99
    Compare
    812g 37g lighter 78mm 2mm thicker
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7 III
    Compare
    650g 199g lighter 74mm 2mm thinner
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R III
    Compare
    657g 192g lighter 74mm 2mm thinner
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A77 II
    Compare
    647g 202g lighter 81mm 5mm thicker
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Nikon D850
    Compare
    1015g 166g heavier 79mm 3mm thicker
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R IV
    Compare
    665g 184g lighter 78mm 2mm thicker
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A9
    Compare
    673g 176g lighter 63mm 13mm thinner
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R II
    Compare
    625g 224g lighter 60mm 16mm thinner

    Weather Sealing

    Sony A99 II has environmental sealings on its body which makes it a weather resistant camera, providing resistance against the water and dust getting in to the camera. If you like outdoors photography and want to be able to use your camera in extreme conditions, Sony A99 II will serve you well. If you attach one of these Sony A99 II weather Sealed lenses to your camera, you will have a great all weather kit.

    Sony A99 II Sensor and Photography Features

    Sony A99 II has a 42.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 7952 x 5304 pixels with aspect ratios of 3:2 and 16:9. A99 II has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to 50-102400 and it can save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

    Sony A99 II is not the highest resolution Full frame camera. Sony A7R IV with its 61.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Sony A99 II vs Sony A7R IV or take a look at Highest resolution DSLR cameras list.

    Sony A99 II DxOMark Sensor Scores

    DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. Sony A99 II sensor has been tested by DxO Mark and got an overall score of 92 for its image quality. You can find the details of their analysis of Sony A99 II here.

    Anti-Aliasing Filter

    Another important feature about Sony A99 II's sensor is the lack of anti-alias (Low-pass) filter. Removing anti-aliasing filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but on the other side it also increases the chance of moire occurring in certain scenes.

    Let's look at how the size of the Sony A99 II's Full frame sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Sony A99 II Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Sony A99 II Sensor Size with other standard sensors

    Sony A99 II Lens Mount and Lenses

    Sony A99 II has a Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount and currently there are 143 native lenses available for this mount. Sony took over all the Minolta AF lens legacy and extended it with lot of new lenses, some popular ones designed by Zeiss engineers. User can also choose from a wide selection of third party lens manufacturers portfolio.

    A99 II also has a Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization system which means that all of these lenses will be stabilized when used on A99 II. Sony claims that the image stabilization of A99 II is effective up to 4.5 stops. Sensor based image stabilization is one of the most useful features that you can have in an ILC. There are also 12 lenses with weather sealing for A99 II that you can couple with its weather sealed body.

    Here are some of the most popular Sony A99 II Lenses on Camera Decision:

    Popular Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount Lenses for Sony A99 II
    Model Focal Length on A99 II Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
    Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II Lens Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II
    70-200mm 35mm FF 1500gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD
    150-600mm 35mm FF 1951gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
    70-300mm 35mm FF 750gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T
    24-70mm 35mm FF 955gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
    150-600mm 35mm FF 1930gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sony 50mm F1.4 Lens Sony 50mm F1.4
    50mm 35mm FF 222gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sony 500mm F8 Reflex Lens Sony 500mm F8 Reflex
    500mm 35mm FF 665gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
    Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Lens Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
    28-75mm 35mm FF 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

    Check our Sony A99 II Lenses page for more detailed lens search.



    Sony A99 II LCD and Viewfinder

    Sony A99 II has a Fully articulated 3" LCD screen with a resolution of 1,229k dots. Both the screen size and the screen resolution is up to the standards of this class.



    For those of you who loves shooting selfies, self or group photos, Sony A99 II will make your life easier with its Selfie friendly screen. Another group of users who will take advantage of A99 II's LCD screen are Vloggers and any video creators who are working in a single-person setup.


    A99 II has a built-in Electronic viewfinder, making it easier to shoot in direct sunlight and in other situations where it might be difficult to view the LCD monitor. The viewfinder has a resolution of 2,359kdots and coverage of 100%. 100% coverage ensures that what you see in the viewfinder while shooting matches exactly what you will get later in your image, helping accurate framing your shots and minimizes the need for cropping images later. The magnification ratio of the viewfinder is 0.78x (35mm equivalent).

    Sony A99 II Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    Sony A99 II features built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity ( 802.11/b/g/n with NFC) which lets you transfer your photos directly to compatible devices without any physical connection. With its NFC feature, A99 II can communicate with devices such as smartphones which are also equipped with this technology by simply touching each other.Sony A99 II's Bluetooth connectivity feature comes handy for connecting other devices that supports it. One other feature that we like is the ability to use our smartphone as a remote to control our A99 II. You can change camera settings, release shutter, view LCD screen and tranfer files using remote control app.

    You can connect A99 II to compatible devices via its HDMI port or USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port.

    Battery

    Sony A99 II is powered by a proprietary battery which provides a shooting life of 490 according to CIPA standards. Considering that the average battery life of DSLR type cameras is 943 shots, Sony A99 II has a short battery life for its class so we strongly recommend A99 II owners to buy some extra batteries.

    Battery Life Comparison in Advanced DSLR Cameras

    Sony A99 II
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Nikon D780 with its 2260shots is the model with longest battery life among Advanced DSLR cameras. Check the comparison of Sony A99 II vs Nikon D780 or take a look at Longest Battery Life DSLR cameras list.

    Sony A99 II Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A99
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 500shots No No No
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7 III
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 610shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R III
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 650shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A77 II
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 480shots Yes No Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Nikon D850
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 1840shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R IV
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 670shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A9
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 650shots Yes Yes Yes
    Sony Alpha A99 II Camera Sony A7R II
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 290shots Yes No Yes

    Sony A99 II Video Features

    With Sony A99 II, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 3840 x 2160 at 30p,25p,24p fps and save in MPEG-4, AVCHD and XAVC S formats. This means that Sony A99 II provides 4K (Ultra-HD) video. Except some exotic 6K and 8K video recording cameras, 4K is the new standard in consumer video world.
    It is also a big step up from its predecessor A99 which has a max video resolution of 1920 x 1080 only. If you are thinking of upgrading your A99 and shoot a lot of video, this is a big factor to consider in favor of A99 II.

    A99 II has a built-in Stereo microphone and a Mono speaker. Sony A99 II also has a port for an external microphone and a headphone port for connecting external headphones which make Sony A99 II a very suitable camera high quality videography.

    Sony A99 II Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Sony A99 II can shoot continuously at max speed of 12.0 fps and has max shutter speed of 1/8000 sec.

    Flash

    Unfortunately A99 II doesn't have a built-in flash but it has a flash shoe for mounting external flashes.

    Focusing

    Sony A99 II features both Contrast Detection and Phase Detection autofocus (AF) systems which ensures speed and accuracy of focusing in most situations. The AF system has 399 focus points and 79 of these sensors are of Cross-type. Cross-type sensors locks focus faster and more accurate compared to single type sensors.

    Sony A99 II also features Face detection AF where it intelligently detects the faces in the frame and locks the focus automatically. In addition to the face detect AF, A99 II has a more sophisticated feature called Eye Tracking AF which detects and locks focus to the selected eye of the person in the frame accurately and tracks as the subject moves. Eye tracking AF of Sony A99 II is a perfect feature for shooting portraits and is especially useful when fast lenses are used and the depth of field is very narrow.

    Sony A99 II PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Sony A99 II review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Built-in Wireless (Wi-fi)
    Bluetooth Connectivity
    NFC Connectivity
    5-axis Image Stabilization
    Articulating Screen
    4K (UHD) Video
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Face Detection Focusing
    42.0MP - High Resolution Sensor
    25.600 Max ISO
    399 Focus Points
    1.229k dots LCD Resolution
    1/8000s High Shutter Speed
    12.0fps Shooting w/ Mechanical Shutter
    External Microphone Port
    External Headphone Port
    Environmental Sealing
    Timelapse Recording
    2359kdot Viewfinder Resolution
    0.78x magnification - Large Viewfinder
    Good Low Light ISO - 2317
    79 Cross Type Focus Points
    2 Storage Slots
    Panorama Shooting
    Top LCD Display
    Wide AE Bracketing Range: ±5 EV
    Flash Sync Port
    AF Micro Adjustment (Fine Tune)
    High Shutter Life Expectancy - 300000 cycles
    Selfie & Vlogger Friendly LCD Screen
    Dual-axis Electronic Level
    Remote control with a smartphone
    EV -4 Focus Sensitivity
    Magnesium alloy body elements
    Report a correction

    Buy Sony A99 II from AMAZON or B&H PHOTO


    CONs
    No Touch Screen
    Low Battery Life: 490 shots
    Heavy Body: 849g
    Report a correction
    What type of Photography is Sony A99 II Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Sony A99 II in 5 different photography areas.

    Sony A99 II for Portrait Photography

    Sony A99 II has a score of 83 for Portrait Photography which makes it an EXCELLENT candidate for this type of photography.
    Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
    Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
    Image Stabilization
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Good Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Sony A99 II for Portrait Photography

    Sony A99 II for Street Photography

    Sony A99 II has a score of 94 for Street Photography which makes it an EXCELLENT candidate for this type of photography.
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Live-view
    Face-Detection Focusing
    Fully articulated LCD Screen
    Image Stabilization
    Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
    Large Body

    Read the details of how we scored Sony A99 II for Street Photography

    Sony A99 II for Sports Photography

    Sony A99 II has a score of 93 for Sports Photography which makes it an EXCELLENT candidate for this type of photography.
    Fast Continuous Shooting: 12.0fps
    Environmental Sealings
    Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
    79 Cross Type Focus sensors
    399 Focus Points
    Good Low Light ISO
    Wireless Connection
    Good Ergonomics&Handling
    Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
    Image Stabilization
    Anti Flicker feature

    Read the details of how we scored Sony A99 II for Sports Photography

    Sony A99 II for Daily Photography

    Sony A99 II has a score of 87 for Daily Photography which makes it an EXCELLENT candidate for this type of photography.
    Environmental Sealings
    Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
    Large Body
    849g
    Body Thickness 76mm

    Read the details of how we scored Sony A99 II for Daily Photography

    Sony A99 II for Landscape Photography

    Sony A99 II has a score of 63 for Landscape Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Landscape Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 DSLR Cameras for Landscape Photography list.
    Live-view
    Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
    Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
    Environmental Sealings

    Read the details of how we scored Sony A99 II for Landscape Photography
    Sony A99 II Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Sony A99 II compares with other DSLR cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Sony A99 II alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Sony A99 II

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Sony A99 II amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Sony A99
    Sony A99
    Compare
    Sony A7 III
    Sony A7 III
    Compare
    Sony A7R III
    Sony A7R III
    Compare
    Sony A77 II
    Sony A77 II
    Compare
    Nikon D850
    Nikon D850
    Compare
    Sony A7R IV
    Sony A7R IV
    Compare
    Sony A9
    Sony A9
    Compare
    Sony A7R II
    Sony A7R II
    Compare

    Sony A99 II Alternatives in Mirrorless Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Sony A99 II with Mirrorless Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked Mirrorless cameras in Sony A99 II's price range.

    Sony A7R IV
    Sony A7R IV
    Compare
    Sony A7R III
    Sony A7R III
    Compare
    Canon R5
    Canon R5
    Compare
    Panasonic S1R
    Panasonic S1R
    Compare
    Nikon Z7 II
    Nikon Z7 II
    Compare
    Nikon Z7
    Nikon Z7
    Compare
    Sony A7S III
    Sony A7S III
    Compare
    Sony A9
    Sony A9
    Compare
    Frequently Asked Questions about Sony A99 II
    Does the Sony A99 II have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Sony A99 II have RAW support?
    Does the Sony A99 II have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Sony A99 II have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Sony A99 II?
    What is the Sensor Size of Sony A99 II?
    is the Sony A99 II a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Sony A99 II have Touch Screen?
    Does the Sony A99 II have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Sony A99 II?
    What is the Weight of Sony A99 II?
    What are the Dimensions of Sony A99 II?
    Sony Alpha A99 II Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Sony
    Model Sony Alpha A99 II
    Announced 2016-09-19
    Body Type Mid-size SLR
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount Sony/Minolta Alpha
    Number of Lenses 143
    Focal Length Multiplier 1x
    Macro Focus Range n/a
    Screen
    Screen Type Fully articulated
    Screen Size 3"
    Screen Resolution 1,229k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder Electronic
    Viewfinder Resolution 2,359k dots
    Viewfinder Coverage 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed 30s
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 12.0 fps
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation Yes
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range no built-in flash
    Max Flash Sync 1/250s
    Flash Modes Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score 92
    DxO Color Depth 25.4
    DxO Dynamic Range 13.4
    DxO Low Light ISO 2317
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Size Full frame
    Sensor Dimensions 35.9 x 24 mm
    Sensor Area 861.60mm2
    Sensor Resolution 42 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 7952 x 5304
    Max Native ISO 25,600
    Max Boosted ISO 102400
    Min Native ISO 100
    Min Boosted ISO 50
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Number of Focus Points 399
    Number of Cross Focus Points 79
    Video Features
    Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160
    Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity Built-In
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 849g
    Physical Dimensions 143 x 104 x 76mm
    Battery Life 490 shots
    Battery Type NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
    Storage Slots 2


    FOLLOW US


    Most Popular Advanced DSLR Cameras
    Nikon D850
    46 MP | Full frame Sensor| Nikon F Mount
    Nikon D750
    24 MP | Full frame Sensor| Nikon F Mount
    Canon 80D
    24 MP | APS-C Sensor| Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Canon 90D
    33 MP | APS-C Sensor| Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Nikon D7500
    21 MP | APS-C Sensor| Nikon F Mount
    Canon 6D MII
    26 MP | Full frame Sensor| Canon EF Mount
    Nikon D7200
    24 MP | APS-C Sensor| Nikon F Mount
    Nikon D90
    12 MP | APS-C Sensor| Nikon F Mount
    Latest DSLR Cameras
    Canon T8i
    24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Nikon D6
    21 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon F Mount
    Canon 1D X III
    20 MP | Full frame Sensor | Canon EF Mount
    Nikon D780
    25 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon F Mount
    Canon 90D
    33 MP | APS-C Sensor | Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Canon SL3
    24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Nikon D3500
    24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Nikon F Mount
    Canon 4000D
    18 MP | APS-C Sensor | Canon EF/EF-S Mount
    Copyright © 2020 by CameraDecision
    About Feedback Privacy Cameras

    Report a Correction